Manchester Utd v Aston Villa: ALEX FERGUSON should have significant reinforcements to his defence when Manchester United bid to extend their unbeaten run to 24 games when they tackle Aston Villa at Old Trafford tonight.
Patrice Evra will return after a family bereavement, Edwin van der Sar will be back in goal and Rio Ferdinand and Rafael da Silva are also likely to be given the all-clear after recent injuries. Dimitar Berbatov also sat out Saturday’s FA Cup win at Southampton, although whether Wayne Rooney will partner him in attack is open to debate given Javier Hernandez has scored in his last two games.
Villa will give a late fitness test to Gabriel Agbonlahor, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, defender Nathan Baker is suspended, while midfielder Fabian Delph has a knee injury.
Sunderland v Chelsea
Stadium of Light, 7.45pm
CHELSEA HAVE no fresh injury concerns for tonight’s game at Sunderland. Alex (knee), Yuri Zhirkov (calf) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined, although all three are nearing a return. Sixth-placed Sunderland will be looking for a repeat of their stunning 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in November. Stephane Sessegnon will make his debut but former Portsmouth player Sulley Muntari has headed back to Italy to sort out his visa so will have to wait until Saturday’s trip to Stoke.
Injuries continue to cause problems for Steve Bruce, with Boudewijn Zenden picking up a knee problem in training and set to join Danny Welbeck, Fraizer Campbell, David Meyler and Michael Turner on the sidelines. However, captain Lee Cattermole could return from a back problem and John Mensah (ankle) could start.
Arsenal v Everton
The Emirates Stadium, 7.45pm
ARSENAL HEAD into what could well be a defining period of their campaign without influential midfielder Samir Nasri, who is set to be sidelined for at least three weeks after suffering a hamstring problem in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Huddersfield.
Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere will all come back into the side tonight.
Everton manager David Moyes will check on the fitness of defender Tony Hibbert and striker Victor Anichebe. Hibbert became ill following the FA Cup draw with Chelsea on Saturday while Anichebe missed the fourth-round tie with a groin problem.
Tim Cahill is due to return to England after appearing in the Asian Cup for Australia but Moyes says he plans to give the midfielder a few days off.
West Brom v Wigan Athletic
The Hawthorns, 8pm (live on Sky Sports 2)
CARLOS VELA is poised to make his debut for West Brom. The Mexican striker has joined the Baggies on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season.
Utility player Steven Reid is available again after recovering from knee surgery, but midfielder Graham Dorrans is still sidelined with an ankle problem.
Albion are trying to halt a run of six defeats in their last seven league matches.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will restore his first-choice players after resting a handful for the drawn FA Cup fourth round match against Bolton at the weekend.
Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia should both be back in the starting XI, while goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi will come back despite Mike Pollitt’s clean sheet. James McCarthy and Franco Di Santo are set to return.
