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Villa v Albion - team news

Clarke makes two changes to Prem side

GORAN Popov is handed his Albion debut as Steve Clarke makes two changes – one enforced - to the side that beat Reading 1-0 in the top flight last weekend.

The on-loan Dynamo Kiev defender replaces the injured Liam Ridgewell (calf) at left-back as he misses out on the chance to make his 200th Barclays Premier League appearance against his former club.

Shane Long is recalled to the starting XI to spearhead the attack in place of Romelu Lukaku, who drops to the bench.

James Morrison has recovered from the hamstring problem that saw him miss the midweek Capital One Cup tie with Liverpool to take his place in the team.

Paul Lambert makes four changes to the Villa league side that lost 4-1 at Southampton last weekend.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton, Fabian Delph and Joe Bennett come in for benched trio Darren Bent, Barry Bannan, Eric Lichaj, and the injured Stephen Ireland.

VILLA (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett; El Ahmadi, Delph; Albrighton, Holman, Agbonlahor; Benteke. Subs: Given (gk), Bent, N’Zogbia, Lichaj, Bannan, Westwood, Weimann.

ALBION (4-2-3-1): Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Popov; Mulumbu, Yacob; Gera, Morrison, Brunt; Long. Subs: L Daniels (gk), Tamas, El Ghanassy, Lukaku, Fortune, Dorrans, Rosenberg.

REFEREE: A Taylor (Manchester).