Gardner has been struggling with a groin injury in pre-season (Getty)

Aston Villa received a timely boost ahead of their Intertoto Cup tie with Odense, as Craig Gardner was passed fit to travel to Denmark.

Gardner missed the midweek friendly at Lincoln with a groin strain and had been considered touch-and-go.

He is now in contention to fill-in at right back, a position he played in several times last season.

Former Reading and Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell will make his competitive debut for Villa.

But there is no place for club captain Gareth Barry as the summer-long saga of his mooted move to Liverpool continues.

With his squad still lacking in numbers, Villa boss Martin O'Neill has called up several younger players for the trip, including striker Nathan Delfouneso and midfielder Zoltan Stieber.