Villa have been boosted by the news that Everton will be missing key man Mikel Arteta when the two sides meet at Villa Park on Wednesday night.
Toffees boss David Moyes has confirmed that the Spanish midfield shemer, who has been missing since the end of last month, will not be fit in time for the top-eight clash.
And Moyes' men will also be without striker Victor Anichebe after he was stretchered off against Bolton in March as well as long-term injury victims Marouane Fellaini and Dan Gosling.
Villa could hand some playing time to fit-again Nigel Reo-Coker, while Emile Heskey could get a rare start.
Martin O'Neill may choose to shuffle his pack yet further after Saturday's tiring semi-final against Chelsea, in which Villa used up all of their energy reserves in a bid to get back into the game after falling 1-0 behind.
Unfortunately, though, they couldn't make it through to the showpiece and the focus will now be on the race for fourth as they look to make up ground on in-form Manchester City.