Petrov to miss Sunderland clash
Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is again ruled out of the Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Bulgarian midfielder has not recovered sufficiently from the hamstring injury which sidelined him for the 2-0 home reversal by Portsmouth last weekend.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill has no fresh injury worries as the smallest squad in the top flight prepares for the demanding festive programme.
Villa will be searching for a fourth successive away win to get their European challenge back on track after home reversals against Arsenal and Pompey.
Villa from: Carson, Taylor, Sorensen, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Davies, Bouma, O’Halloran, Gardner, Barry, Osbourne, Reo-Coker, Moore, Carew, Berger, Harewood, Agbonlahor.
