Villa hoping for Bent return

Aston Villa are optimistic joint top-scorer Darren Bent will be available for the December 26 clash with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

The club’s record signing, who has netted five goals this season, has returned to training after being ruled out of the previous two games with a thigh injury.

Fellow striker Emile Heskey (achilles) and central defender James Collins (knee) are also expected to be in contention after missing the mid-week home defeat against Arsenal but full-back Alan Hutton will be suspended after his sending-off against the Gunners.

Provisional squad: Guzan, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Clark, Warnock, Beye, Delph, Bannan, Petrov, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Delfouneso, N’Zogbia, Weimann, Marshall, Johnson, Burke.