Villa are sweating on the fitness of Gareth Barry ahead of the derby clash with West Brom on Saturday.

Barry missed the FA Cup tie with Gillingham with a groin injury.

And the central star has now been sent for some scans - with the results due in the next few days.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "We will assess the results of the scans but the fact is Gareth is desperate to play."

 Luke Young, meanwhile, was absent from the Priestfield Stadium clash with a tight hamstring but the Villa boss is "hopeful" the versatile defender will be fit for the Baggies game.

 Carlos Cuellar and Martin Laursen are both making progress as they look to bounce back from injury. Cuellar and Laursen are recovering from hamstring and knee injuries respectively and both have done some running at the club's Bodymoor Heath training complex this week.