Villa relieved as scan gives Phillips all-clear

The Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips is expected to be fit for Saturday's home Premiership match against Charlton Athletic after a scan on his calf revealed no serious damage.

Phillips limped out of the weekend game at his former club Sunderland in the second half after scoring the opening goal in Villa's 3-1 success. But the Villa manager, David O'Leary, is optimistic that Phillips will be able to resume training in the next 48 hours.

O'Leary said: "Kevin has had a scan and there was nothing untoward. He hasn't pulled the calf muscle which is a relief. He'll be back in training by Thursday and he'll be OK for the weekend."

The midfielder Patrik Berger could also be part of the squad to face Charlton after returning to training following a cartilage operation which caused him to miss the games against Liverpool and Sunderland.

O'Leary said: "If Patrik has a good week out on the training pitch, then he could have an outside chance of making the bench at the weekend."

The defender Mark Delaney could also return to training in the next few days after missing the Sunderland game with a groin injury. Scans have revealed no serious damage for the Welsh international.