Christian Benteke is still to fully recover from his hip injury but is in contention for a return to the Aston Villa team for Saturday ’ s crucial match against Sunderland . The Belgian striker missed Villa ’ s FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion after suffering the problem in training but has improved and should be in the squad , manager Tim Sherwood said . Sherwood could yet continue with the attacking line-up that got Villa to the FA Cup semi-final for the important relegation encounter at the Stadium of Light . Christian Benteke will be in Aston Villa 's squad for Saturday 's trip to Sunderland , says boss Tim Sherwood . Benteke ( left ) missed their FA Cup win over West Brom on March 7 due to a hip injury . That would mean Gabriel Agbonlahor up top , supported by Charles N ’ Zogbia and Scott Sinclair on the wings . ‘ Christian 's still feeling it , ’ said Sherwood . ‘ He ’ ll be in the squad , we ’ ll give him as much time as we can to get him fit . All I need to know is when he ’ ll be back fit and he ’ s got an opportunity to be fit for this weekend . 'But we changed it around and the boys that came in did well . We ’ re not always looking for one guy . It ’ s a team effort , we have to attack together and defend together . There is no onus on one person to score the goals . Villa players were put through their paces during Thursday 's training session at Bodymoor Heath . On loan midfielder Tom Cleverley will be hoping to start for Villa at the Stadium of Light . Cleverley could line up alongside Ashley Westwood in midfield for the clash against the Black Cats . ' I don ’ t think Christian feels the pressure , it doesn ’ t look like it. ’ Sherwood also reflected on the pitch invasion at the end of last Saturday ’ s 2-0 victory over West Brom , which marred the result in the eyes of many . Sherwood joked he would agree to a replay . 'No-one wants to see anyone enter the field of play while the match is still going on . If we have to replay the game we ’ re happy to do that , ’ he laughed . 'It didn ’ t take the shine off for me . Other people can deal with the aftermath of what was a very jubilant crowd on the pitch . ' Gabriel Agbonlahor ( left ) is set to start up front for Villa against Sunderland on Saturday .
Chrisitan Benteke missed squad ##pool 's FA cup win over West Brom . Aston ##pool travel to compete in the Premier League on Saturday . Sunderland sit one point and place above relegation in the premier League table .