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Aston Villa have problems at the back this weekend with Ron Vlaar and Aly Cissokho both facing late fitness tests.

The defensive duo missed the defeat to Leyton Orient in midweek with minor knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Jores Okore also has a problem with his knee so he won’t be risked against Hull City on Sunday. Both Vlaar and Cissokho are important members of a backline that is yet to concede in the league this term.

The Villa skipper has continued his fine form from the World Cup while left-back Cissokho has impressed in his first two Villa games. Should they not make it, Nathan Baker will fit in at centre-half and Kieran Richardson will replace the Frenchman – however, boss Paul Lambert remains hopeful they will.

In-form pair Philippe Senderos and Alan Hutton will keep their places.

It will be interesting to see where Lambert will fit in Carlos Sanchez.

Will he drop Ashley Westwood, Villa’s best passer of the ball, and play the Colombian alongside England new-boy Fabian Delph? Or is there room for all three in the middle?

Should he opt for the trio it would mean one of either Richardson, Andi Weimann or Charles N’Zogbia starting on the bench.

Jack Grealish also did his chances of starting in the Premier League for the first time no harm at all with a fine performance against Orient.

Gabby Agbonlahor is expected to lead the attack and come in for Darren Bent, who misfired in midweek.