Hull City manager Steve Bruce has handed a debut to centre-back Michael Dawson in this afternoon's clash away at Aston Villa.

The £3.5m signing from Tottenham Hotspur has replaced James Chester, who is suspended.

Meanwhile, hosting Villa have been able to call upon captain Ron Vlaar, despite the fact that he had recently been struggling with a knee complaint.

Left-back Aly Cissokho has also been passed fit, having recovered from a groin strain.

Villa: Guzan; Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho; Delph, Westwood, Richardson, N'Zogbia, Weimann; Agbonlahor

Hull: McGregor; Elmohamady, Davies, Dawson, McShane, Robertson; Huddlestone, Livermore, Ince, Quinn; Jelavic

You can follow Sports Mole's live text coverage of the action at Villa Park here.