Milner starts for Villa against Hammers

Aston Villa midfielder James Milner started against West Ham in what could be his final game for the club.

The England international, who has been a summer-long target for Manchester City, started in midfield alongside Under-21 international Marc Albrighton.

Villa’s caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald also included rookie defender Ciaran Clarke following injuries to Curtis Davies, Carlos Cuellar and James Collins.

New West Ham manager Avram Grant handed a full debut to New Zealand World Cup defender Winston Reid, while fellow new arrivals Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne were on the bench.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Clark, Dunne, Warnock, Downing, Albrighton, Petrov, Milner, Ashley Young, Carew.

Subs: Guzan, Heskey, Reo-Coker, Beye, Weimann, Lichaj, Bannan.

West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Kovac, Noble, Boa Morte, Cole.

Subs: Stech, Gabbidon, Barrera, Spector, Sears, Piquionne, Diamanti.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)