Aston Villa v Fulham team news: Mahamadou Diarra makes second Cottagers debut

Fulham boss Felix Magath made three changes from the side beaten by Everton last Sunday, as his side prepared to face Aston Villa.

The 60-year-old handed a first appearance in his second spell at the club to Mahamadou Diarra.

Grant Holt made his second Barclays Premier League start for Aston Villa as manager Paul Lambert was left short of options up front.

Christian Benteke will be missing until next season after tearing his Achilles while Gabriel Agbonlahor failed to recover in time from a sickness bug.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand, Bacuna, Westwood, Bennett, Albrighton, Holt, Weimann. Subs: Clark, Steer, Luna, Sylla, Tonev, Robinson, Bowery.

Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Diarra, Sidwell, Kasami, Holtby, Richardson, Woodrow. Subs: Stekelenburg, Riise, Kvist Jorgensen, Kacaniklic, Rodallega, Dejagah, Roberts.