TEAM NEWS: ASTON VILLA v WIGAN ATHLETIC
Aston Villa are hopeful that Stiliyan Petrov will have fully recovered from a dislocated shoulder.

He could be partnered in midfield by newcomer Fabian Delph, while Habib Beye will make his debut at right-back if Luke Young fails to prove his fitness.

Wigan's new manager Roberto Martinez could give debuts to striker Jason Scotland and midfielder Jordi Gomez, who both played under him at Swansea.

Olivier Kapo is sidelined with a knee ligament injury.

PROBABLE VILLA LINE-UP: Friedel, Beye, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Delph, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.
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KEEPER MARSHALL SIGNS FOR VILLA
Aston Villa have completed the signing of goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

The 34-year-old, who has four caps for England Under-21s, arrives at Villa on a one-year-deal, having previously spent three years at Coventry City.

Marshall began his career at Norwich in 1993 and previous clubs include Ipswich Town and Millwall.

He left Coventry at the end of the 2008/09 season and is expected to join Brad Guzan in providing cover for current number one Brad Friedel.
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PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
JUL 18: Peterborough United (A) - W 3-0
JUL 21: Colchester United (A) - D 2-2
JUL 25: Malaga (N) - Peace Cup Group Stages - L 0-1
JUL 29: Atlante (N) - Peace Cup Group Stages - W 3-1
JUL 31: Porto (N) - Peace Cup Semi-Finals - W 2-1
AUG 2: Juventus (N) - Peace Cup Final - W 0-0 *pen: 4-3
AUG 4: Oxford United (A) - L 0-2
AUG 8: Fiorentina (H) - W 1-0
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SUMMER TRANSFERS
IN'S:
Stewart Downing - Middlesbrough - £12m
Fabian Delph - Leeds United - £8m
Habib Beye - Newcastle United - £2.5m
Andy Marshall - Coventry City - Free

OUT'S:
Gareth Barry - Manchester City - £12m
Zat Knight - Bolton Wanderers - £4m
Stuart Taylor - Manchester City - Free
Martin Laursen - Retired

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has stated that the club have not received any bids for winger Ashley Young.

Reports have suggested the gifted England international could secure a summer transfer away from Villa Park.

Chelsea are one of a number of sides that have been credited with an interest in the Young Player of the Year.

However, O'Neill has rejected the rumours outright while insisting that any approach would be turned down.

O'Neill said: "There have been a lot of stories about Ashley - and that's what they are - stories.

"The last time I spoke to Ashley and his agent none of this was at the forefront.

Skills
"I read every single day these articles about different clubs coming in for him, with swap deals mentioned. It's just pure conjecture.

"No-one has come in and asked us about Ashley Young and I have got to tell you, if they did they would get short shrift.

"I believe he can reach for the stars here. This football club has been fantastic for him because we have given him this platform to display his skills, excite the crowd and play the sort of football that he is doing.

"I suppose it's flattering that he's being linked because it shows how far he has come at this club. Saying that, I do get bored with all the stories in reality."

Aston Villa have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Stewart Downing on a four-year deal.

The winger arrives from Middlesbrough for a fee believed to be around the £12million mark.

The 24-year-old passed a medical on Thursday despite currently recovering from foot surgery over the summer.

Downing picked up the injury in the penultimate game of last season, against Villa, when he was on the receiving end of a Stiliyan Petrov tackle.

The England international is not expected to be fully fit until October but Villa manager Martin O'Neill has decided to move for the left-sider in any case.

Downing was always expected to leave the Riverside this summer, with Tottenham also said to be interested, but it is Villa who have won the race to snap up the wide-man.

O'Neill factor
The former Boro youngster stated that O'Neill played a major role in helping persuade him to join the club.

"When it became apparent that Villa were interested I was very excited," he told the club's official website.

"I wanted to come as soon as I met Martin O'Neill so I am delighted it's now sorted out.

"As soon as I spoke to the manager at the training ground, I wanted to play for Villa and I wanted to play for him.

"He has great ambition and wants to build a good squad to take the club forward. I want to be part of that.

"As an outsider looking in you could tell Villa were a club on the up. You can see a chairman and a manager who want to build great things.

"They have done that over the past few seasons, particularly by finishing sixth last time around which was great."