MX23RW : Monday, January 6 21:30:34| >> :120:35929:35929:

Team News: Christian Benteke leads Aston Villa line against Sunderland

Christian Benteke leads the Aston Villa forward line as his side take on Sunderland in the Premier League this afternoon.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has decided to start with Christian Benteke in attack as his side welcome Sunderland in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Belgium striker is also supported by the forward presence of both Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann as Villa go in search of an important home win.

The home side have also given starts to Ashley Westwood and Karim El Ahmadi, who both scored as Villa came from two behind to grab a draw against West Bromwich Albion last time out.

The visitors have stuck with their trusted 4-5-1 formation, with Steven Fletcher leading the Sunderland line up top, while support comes from Fabio Borini and Emanuele Giaccherini.

Defender Wes Brown has also been given his place back in the side after the red card he picked up against Stoke City was rescinded earlier in the week.

Aston Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Luna, Delph, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann

Sunderland: Mannone; Bardsley, Dossena, Brown, O'Shea, Ki, Gardner, Larsson, Borini, Giaccherini, Fletcher

ID:121155: cacheID:121155:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2978:
Written by
Christopher Dodd
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Emanuele Giaccherini of Sunderland fails to score from close range during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on November 30, 2013
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Villa 0-0 Sunderland - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!