Olof Mellberg, Aston Villa's long-serving defender, is in danger of missing his Villa Park farewell against Wigan after being laid low by illness.

Sweden international Mellberg, 31, who joined Villa in a £5m deal from Racing Santander in 2001, is joining Juventus at the end of the season.

His absence would present manager Martin O'Neill a major headache at right-back.

Craig Gardner, who has also played in the role this season, is still struggling with a thigh strain that has forced him to miss the last five games.

A win for Villa would see them leapfrog over Everton and into fifth place.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is confident striker Emile Heskey will be fit.

The England international is expected to recover from the ankle injury which forced him off during last week's 0-0 draw against Reading.

Ryan Taylor is set to fill in at right-back for captain Mario Melchiot, who has joined Erik Edman on the sidelines after being ruled out of the final two games with a groin problem.