Carew on the mend

The Norwegian international missed both games over Easter with the problem, a period in which Villa have claimed four points having been forced to play the ball on the floor a bit more. The long-ball tactics could be back on display at the Riverside, however. "Carew is getting better," said Martin O'Neill. "We don't know whether he'll be right against Middlesbrough. We've played two goals without him and shown we're capable of playing. The idea is not to hit Carew at all times but to play around him and into his feet."

Gary Cahill is on the mend after being rested against Wigan, while Villa face an anxious wait over Wilfred Bouma who received a knock on the ankle in Easter Monday's 1-1 draw.