PREVIEW: MIDWEEK ENGLISH ACTION Andrew Vorce - Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Brad Guzan looks to step back into the Carling Cup keeper position for Aston Villa while his club mate Eric Lichaj suits up for Lincoln City in League Two action.
Portsmouth - Aston Villa
Brad Guzan looks set to slot back in goal for Aston Villa who face Premier League opposition in the Carling Cup Quarter Final against Portsmouth.
Aston Villa were undone by Tottenham at Villa Park due to a 77th-minute Michael Dawson volley to see a share of the spoils go home with the visitors, while Portsmouth were demoralized at home by Manchester United in a 4-1 rout.
Avram Grant will be at the helm for his first cup game at Portsmouth, but will again be without senior goalkeeper David James. The England international has been nursing a calf injury, and joins Linvoy Primus on the sidelines who has a foot injury.
Stewart Downing will be looking to gain minutes for Villa, having been out with a broken foot, while James Collins will look to shake off a groin injury to regain match fitness.
Lincoln City - Port Vale
Eric Lichaj will look to slot back into the heart of defense for Lincoln City who take on Port Vale in League Two action.
Lichaj was ineligible to play in the FA Cup second round with his new club due to contract stipulations by Aston Villa, but the on loan defender looks ready to take over in the backfield. Joe Heath and Adam Watts are both out with a hip and knee injury, respectively, while Anthony Pullis also is on the sidelines.
The City injury list goes on, as strikers Paul Connor and Lenell John-Lewis are out, joined by Paul Green and Sergio Torres with a hip and ankle injury, respectively. Lincoln are fresh off of a 3-1 victory over Northwich, but will have a stern test against their visitors.
Port Vale were knocked out of the FA Cup second round to a 12th minute Huddersfield strike, and are again without Gareth Owen due to a facial injury. Tommy Fraser is on his final game out due to a red card. Doug Loft and Lewis Haldane are doubts with a groin and knee injury, respectively.
Notes
Mike Grella will look to keep racking up minutes in League One as Leeds take on Oldham.
Jemal Johnson will look to make an impact off the bench as Milton Keynes Dons take on the injured Zak Whitbread's Millwall.
Ian Joyce will hope to make the bench as Southend take on Norwich at home.
Seb Harris will look to make the bench for Northampton who take on Hereford at home.
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