ul li a.menu-item.selected  {
   background: #cc0000 url(images/ui-bg_highlight-soft_15_cc0000_1x100.png) 50% 50% repeat-x !important;
   color: #fff !important;
   font: italic bold 16px/18px sans-serif !important;
}

ul li a.menu-item:hover  {
   background: #cc0000 url(images/ui-bg_highlight-soft_15_cc0000_1x100.png) 50% 50% repeat-x !important;
   color: #fff !important;
   font: italic bold 16px/18px sans-serif !important;
}