Villa drop five for Brighton cup tie

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill made six changes from the victorious Carling Cup semi-final line-up for the home FA Cup fourth-round tie with Brighton.

Only Brad Guzan, Stewart Downing, Ashleigh Young, Stephen Warnock, and James Collins remained in the line-up which overcame Blackburn 6-4 in midweek.

Central defender Curtis Davies was among the substitutes after nearly five months on the sidelines following shoulder surgery.

Brighton made one enforced change from the side which won at Walsall last weekend with the cup-tied Marcos Painter making way for Jim McNulty.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Luke Young, Beye, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Sidwell, Downing, Delph, Ashley Young, Delfouneso.

Subs: Friedel, Milner, Agbonlahor, Davies, Petrov, Lowry, Clark.

Brighton: Kuipers, Calderon, Virgo, Elphick, McNulty, Bennett, Navarro, Crofts, Dicker, Murray, Forster.

Subs: Brezovan, Cox, Dickinson, Tunnicliffe, Hart, Carole, Hoyte.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)