Lambert waits on N’Zogbia

Aston Villa winger Charles N’Zogbia has returned to training after a six-week absence with a knee problem but manager Paul Lambert is still to decide whether he will be involved in tomorrow’s home clash with Stoke.

Skipper and centre-back Ron Vlaar remains a major doubt with a calf problem which ruled him out of the last two games with Reading and QPR.

Left-backs Enda Stevens (ankle) and Joe Bennett (knee) are still sidelined as Villa look to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Villa (provisional squad): Guzan, Given, Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Lichaj, Baker, Ireland, El Ahmadi, Herd, Westwood, Bannan, Delph, Holman, Bent, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Bowery, Weimann, Burke, Johnson, Williams, N’Zogbia.