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Team News: Peter Crouch, Darren Bent on the bench for Stoke City, Aston Villa clash

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 08 December 2012

Former England striker Peter Crouch and Darren Bent are both named on the bench for their respective sides as Aston Villa host Stoke, who are without suspended midfielder Charlie Adam.

Peter Crouch has been included among the Stoke City substitutes for their trip to Aston Villa this afternoon.

The towering striker lost several of his teeth in the victory over Newcastle United but has recovered from dental work to be named on the Potters bench today.

Tony Pulis is forced into one alteration from the starting XI that beat West Bromwich Albion last time out, with match-winner Dean Whitehead replacing the suspended Charlie Adam in midfield.

Crouch's former England colleague Darren Bent continues to be left out of the Villa lineup as manager Paul Lambert again opts for Christian Benteke in attack.

The hosts are unchanged from their 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers last weekend, with captain Ron Vlaar and Charles N'Zogbia still sidelined.

Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Baker, Clark, Lichaj; Herd, Holman, Westwood, Bannan; Benteke, Agbonlahor

Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Cameron; Walters, Whitehead, Nzonzi, Whelan, Etherington; Jones