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Benteke in contention for Villa game against Sunderland

Benteke could be fit for Villa's match against Sunderland. Credit: PA

Christian Benteke is set to return for Aston Villa's crunch relegation clash with Sunderland.

The striker missed the weekend's 2-0 FA Cup quarter final win over West Brom with a hip injury but will be in the squad for the trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Villa are a place above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone and a point behind the Black Cats ahead of the game with Benteke looking to return.

Boss Tim Sherwood said: "He's still feeling it. He'll be in the squad, we'll give him as much time as we can to get him fit, but we changed it around and the boys came in did well.

"We're not always looking for one guy. It's a team effort, we have to attack together and defend together. There is no onus on one person to score the goals.

"I don't think Christian feels the pressure, it doesn't look like it.

"All I need to know is when he'll be back fit and he's got an opportunity to be fit for this weekend."