Manchester United welcome Nemanja Vidic back into defence, while fellow central defender James Collins returns for Aston Villa.
Collins has missed a month with a combination of thigh and groin problems, but the recent form of Carlos Cueller may mean manager Martin O'Neill will only give him a place on the bench.
O'Neill could revert to a more familiar formation, with Stewart Downing being rested and Ashley Young returning to the left side of midfield. Stillyan Petrov and Steve Sidwell will provide the steel in central midfield.
John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor are the likely strike pairing, with Emile Heskey on the bench.
The return of Nemanja Vidic is a big boost to Sir Alex Ferguson's United side. Injuries have meant they have been forced to play midfielders as makeshift centre backs.
Indeed, it looks likely that Michael Carrick will continue in this new role in the absence of Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, John O'Shea, Jonny Evans and Rafael and Fabio Da Silva - all of whom are injured.
Dimitar Berbatov could be replaced in attack by Michael Owen after Owen scored a hat-trick in the Champions League in midweek while Tomasz Kuszczak continues in goal in place of the injured Edwin van Der Sar.
KICK-OFF: SATURDAY DECEMBER 12th 17:30 GMT
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