Benteke on the bench for Villa; Demichelis replaced by Mangala

Christian Benteke is named on the Aston Villa bench for the visit of Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City.

The Belgium striker was hoping to return to action after six months out with a ruptured Achilles.

Manager Paul Lambert makes just one change to his starting line-up as Charles N’Zogbia replaces Andreas Weimann.

Villa were forced to make a second, late change to their side after captain Gabriel Agbonlahor was injured during the warm-up. Weimann took his place.

Eliaquim Mangala returns in the City defence in place of Martin Demichelis, while Aleksandar Kolarov and former Villa midfielder James Milner also featured.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Senderos, Baker, Cissokho, Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, N’Zogbia, Richardson, Weimann.

Subs: Clark, Bacuna, Bent, Benteke, Sanchez, Given, Grealish.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero.

Subs: Sagna, Fernando, Caballero, Jesus Navas, Lampard, Demichelis, Jovetic.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)