Bent back to face old side

Darren Bent was predictably booed during the pre-match warm-up as he returned to the Stadium of Light for the first time since his acrimonious departure in January.

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish made a single change to the side beaten by West Brom last week, with Emile Heskey replacing Barry Bannan who has been suspended by the club during an internal investigation after the Scot was arrested on suspicion of drink driving last weekend.