Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie is desperate to retain his place in the starting line up tomorrow.

The England international was dropped to the bench at Liverpool, but returned to the side against Ipswich Town last weekend and scored Villa's first goal in their 2-1 win

"I am delighted with the goal that I scored as it just gives me a massive lift again," he said.

"I am working hard at the moment. I am doing what I can and I just want to be playing.

"I want the manager to know that. I do want to be playing in the team and if I keep working hard then I hope it will be hard for the manager to leave me out.

"I am getting ready for every game and if I don't start I want to come on and do something."

David Ginola is set to make his home debut at last, possibly filling in for broken leg victim Luc Nilis in attack.

Ginola, a summer signing from Tottenham, played 58 minutes of Tuesday's reserve match against City at Valley Parade and could now come face to face with Benito Carbone - the man whose mantle he hopes to take over at Villa Park.

Manager John Gregory may also consider the claims of England Under-21 striker Darius Vassell and transfer-lister Julian Joachim as a partner for Dion Dublin.

The former Coventry striker was on target at Ipswich last week and will pose a big aerial threat to the City defence.

Like the Bantams, Villa have collected five points so far but they have not shown the sort of consistent form which Gregory would want.

One interesting new figure in the Villa side this season is the impressive Turkish defender Alpay Ozalan.