12:00PM BST 14 Sep 2012
Saturday, September 15
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.
Villa (4-4-2): Guzan; Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Lichaj; Holman, El Ahmadi,
Ireland, Bannan; Benteke, Bent.
Out: Albrighton (toe), Dunne (groin), Gardner (knee), Petrov (illness).
Swansea (Possible, 4-5-1): Vorm; Rangel, Tate, Williams, Richards;
Britton, Dyer, Michu, De Guzman, Routledge; Graham.
Out: Chico (suspended), Taylor (ankle).
Test: Monk (back).
Referee: Lee Mason (Matches 2, R0 Y4).
Betting: Home 13-10, Away 5-4, Draw 23-10.
Team News
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has included his trio of transfer
deadline-day signings in the squad for the visit of Swansea.
Strikers Christian Benteke and Jordan Bowery, plus midfielder Ashley Westwood, are in contention to start against the unbeaten Swans.
Benteke, a £7 million signing from Genk, impressed Lambert when in midweek action for Belgium against Croatia.
Defender Richard Dunne and winger Marc Albrighton are still ruled out although the latter will return to training next week.
Meanwhile, Swansea defender Alan Tate is set for his first Premier League start since the opening game of last term, as Chico Flores' suspension and Kyle Bartley's quad injury hand him the chance to stake a claim for a regular place.
Match Notes
Michael Laudrup and Paul Lambert have enjoyed contrasting fortunes in their
new postings to date.
While Swansea City remain unbeaten so far this season, averaging more than three goals per game, Aston Villa are still searching for their first Premier League victory.
The Midlands club will hope a busy end to the transfer window will rectify matters and Christian Benteke, Ashley Westwood and Joe Bennett could all be involved.
Stat of the game: Villa have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games at Villa Park.
Brendan McLoughlin's prediction: Aston Villa 2 Swansea City 2.
