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Tim Sherwood insists Aston Villa are “marching on with a depleted squad” after confirming Christian Benteke has joined the walking wounded.

Benteke was missing from the FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion with a hip injury sustained in training ahead of the match.

Villa are already without defenders Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos, Nathan Baker, Aly Cissokho and Kieran Richardson, while Libor Kozak is still sidelined, and Alan Hutton is suspended.

Sherwood confirmed that Benteke will be assessed early next week as Villa try to determine the severity of his injury, although it is not believed to be major.

Check out photos from Villa 2 Albion 0

Villa will patch up their squad ahead of next weekend’s Premier League match against survival rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Asked about Benteke, Sherwood said: “We’re not sure. He’s going to continue to get assessed. Unfortunately we just keep picking up these little niggles here and there.”

“We’ve had three fit defenders. We’re marching on with a depleted squad and we’re getting some resuilts. This fight against relegation could be lost or won in the physio room.

“If we can get those bodies back.