The England player has been suffering from a knee injury and would have missed last weekend's game against Wigan, which was postponed.
Neither he nor Luke Young (groin) has trained with the team this week so remain touch and go.
Fitness fears: Aston Villa have concern over knee-troubled winger Young
Midfielder Steve Sidwell is out of the reckoning as he closes in on a move to West Ham, but midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and Fabian Delph are returning to fitness following ankle and knee injuries respectively. Either could feature on the bench on Sunday.
Villa (from): Friedel, Lichaj, L Young, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Albrighton, Hogg, Bannan, Petrov, Delph, Downing, A Young, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Guzan, Reo-Coker, Delfouneso, Herd, Dunne, Pires, Carew.
 Albrighton ready to stand up to Bale force: Villa ace looking to kick-start season with home winVilla steal a march on Chelsea and Liverpool with move for FofanaASTON VILLA FC
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail