Aston Villa central defender Zat Knight is poised to make his first start of 2008 in Wednesday's Premier League home game with Middlesbrough.The former Fulham player is set to replace Curtis Davies, who ruptured his Achilles during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Makeshift right-back Olof Mellberg is likely to be back in contention after missing the last two games with an ankle problem.

Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker should be available despite being troubled by a back problem against the Gunners, as Villa look to close the eight-point gap on Everton and Liverpool.

Villa (from): Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Petrov, Berger, Young, Carew, Maloney, Harewood, Routledge, Salifou.

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