Sunderland v Villa team news: First start for Westwood

By Dan Harrison at the Stadium of Light

Ashley Westwood has been handed his first Villa start in today's clash against Sunderland.

The August deadline day signing from Crewe Alexandra is in the starting line-up for the Stadium of Light encounter, with Paul Lambert making four changes from the midweek victory at Swindon.

Brad Guzan replaces Shay Given in goal while Ciaran Clark returns from injury and Joe Bennett is back from suspension.

Given, Eric Lichaj and Fabian Delph drop to the bench and Chris Herd misses out with a knee injury.

There is no return to the North East for Darren Bent after the ex-Sunderland striker picked up a foot injury in training on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats have former Villans Craig Gardner and Carlos Cuellar in their starting XI.

SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, Bardsley, Cattermole, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, O'Shea, Johnson, Cuellar, Fletcher, Sessegnon. Subs: Rose, Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Westwood, McClean, Saha.

VILLA: Guzan, Lowton, Bennett, Vlaar, Clark, Westwood, Bannan, Ireland, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, Stevens, Lichaj, Bowery.

Sunderland v Aston Villa