ASTON Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo looks set to run the rule over his squad in tomorrow’s friendly against Worcester City at Stourport’s Walshes Meadow (3pm).

The former Italian international is understood to be watching Villa’s warm-up match at AFC Telford United, which kicks off at noon, before heading to Worcestershire.

Villa are believed to be fielding a strong side against Carl Heeley’s Worcester because recently-appointed Di Matteo must weigh up all his options before they begin life in the Championship after relegation.

They have more than 30 senior players in their first-team squad with Libor Kozak and Gabby Agbonlahor having struggled for goals in recent years.

City opened their pre-season programme with a 1-0 win at Stourport Swifts and drew 1-1 at Stratford Town on Tuesday.

Worcester are expecting a bumper crowd of more than 1,000 for the showdown against the one-time European champions.

Tomorrow’s matches are the first on British soil for Villa under Di Matteo’s rule and follow their week-long trip to Austria.

Worcester-born centre-half Nathan Baker could feature for Villa after returning to the club from a successful season-long loan spell at Bristol City.

The 25-year-old, who represented England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels, signed a new four-year contract with Villa 12 months ago.

Baker helped to keep Bristol in the Championship and could possess the qualities which Di Matteo’s men need to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Former Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov is another who might have a run-out against Worcester after playing in Villa’s 8-0 battering of Austrian minnows GAK Graz in midweek.

The 37-year-old former Bulgarian international was diagnosed with leukaemia four years ago and had to fight for his life.

Petrov is trying to earn a deal at Villa and new boss Di Matteo must decide if there is a role for him at the club.

In Di Matteo’s first game in charge, Villa put on an impressive showing, smashing eight goals without reply against minnows Graz, who play in the sixth tier of Austrian football.

The Villa boss picked two strong teams to take on GAK, a club who have been on a rollercoaster ride in recent years.

First-half goals from Micah Richards, Libor Kozak and Jordan Ayew (2) put the away side in control at the break.

Villa’s second-half team were just as ruthless, adding further strikes from Joe Bennett (2) and Rudy Gestede (2).

Di Matteo was named manager of Villa at the beginning of June working under the new chairman Tony Xia.

Meanwhile, City have announced the turnstiles will be open from 1pm tomorrow.

Cash payments must be made at turnstiles one and two, while fans with e-tickets should use turnstile three.

Swifts’ ground has limited parking for players, officials and visitors with disabilities.

A small number of spaces are available at Stourport Leisure Centre.

But more is available at Riverside Meadows Surface Car Park, Martins Way, DY13 3SA, and other public car parks in Stourport.