Aston Villa to assess Christian Benteke hip injury

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has revealed that Christian Benteke will be assessed by the club's medical team after being forced off in their defeat against Swansea City with a hip injury.

The Belgian striker, who has scored six goals since returning from a torn Achilles in October, missed the final 15 minutes of the 1-0 home loss to Swansea yesterday.

The Villans manager told the Birmingham Mail: "Benteke took a painkiller. He's had a problem with his hip. In the end he had to come off because it was too sore. I don't know how bad it is. He's being assessed by the physios."

Villa sit 16th in the Premier League table, just three points clear of the relegation zone.