Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says skipper Martin Laursen will be fit by next month's April 5 clash at Manchester United.

O'Neill said: "Martin is making good progress at the moment and he is deadly keen to play again.

"After the Liverpool game (on March 22), he has got that extra fortnight to get ready because he no longer plays international football so you are probably looking at the Manchester United game.

"Everyone knows how well he has done for us during the past couple of seasons and it will be good to have as many players available as possible for the run-in."