Sunderland vs West Brom live: Latest score, team news and updates as Sandro starts for Baggies

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Sam Allardyce will have seen hopeful signs in his Sunderland side’s first-half performance (AFP/Getty)

Sunderland can move out of the relegation zone with a win over West Brom should rivals Newcastle prevent Norwich from winning, while the Baggies appear to be safe from the drop but will wary that they are not yet past the 40-point barrier.

• Sunderland sack Emmanuel Eboue after he was received a one-year ban from Fifa
• James Morrison and Chris Brunt remain sidelined for West Brom

Teams:

Sunderland: Mannone, Yedlin, Kaboul, Kone, van Aanholt, Kirchhoff, Cattermole, M’Vila, Khazri, Borini, Defoe.

Subs: Jones, Larsson, Rodwell, N’Doye, Pickford, O’Shea, Toivonen.

West Brom: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Chester, Gardner, Sandro, Yacob, Fletcher (c), Berahino, Rondon.

Subs: Myhill, Olsson, McClean, Lambert, Pritchard, Anichebe, Leko.

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Today’s fixtures:

Aston Villa vs Chelsea – 12:45

Arsenal vs Watford – 15:00

Bournemouth vs Manchester City – 15:00

Norwich City vs Newcastle United – 15:00

Stoke City vs Swansea – 15:00

Sunderland vs West Bromwich Albion – 15:00

West Ham vs Crystal Palace – 15:00

Liverpool vs Tottenham – 17:30

[2 April 2016 11:55 · Charles Reynolds]

Just over 45 minutes until kick off, it's time for some team news...

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Cissokho, Sanchez, Westwood, Gana, Gil, Gestede, Ayew

Subs:  Okore, Bacuna, Sinclair, Veretout, Bunn, Lyden, Grealish.

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Miazga, Baba, Mikel, Fabregas, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Remy.

Subs: Begovic, Jake Clarke-Salter, Matic, Oscar, Traore, Pato, Falcao

[2 April 2016 12:29 · Charles Reynolds]

[2 April 2016 12:30 · Charles Reynolds]

Another happy Villa fan... 

[2 April 2016 12:34 · Charles Reynolds]

Just under 15 minutes until kick off, can Chelsea's second team heap more misery on Villa or will there be a rare win for the home side? 

[2 April 2016 12:40 · Charles Reynolds]

Matt Miazga makes his debut for Chelsea today 

[2 April 2016 12:41 · Charles Reynolds]

 

Squawka Football

@Squawka

Guus Hiddink has lost just 1 of his 26 Premier League games as Chelsea manager, a 1-0 defeat to Spurs in March 2009. https://t.co/eJ5sU835kd

12:24 PM - 02 Apr 2016

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[2 April 2016 12:41 · Charles Reynolds]

 

Simon Johnson

@sjstandardsport

JT, Willian, Cahill not travelled, along with suspended costa and injured hazard...first three have minor problems #Cfc

11:49 AM - 02 Apr 2016

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[2 April 2016 12:44 · Charles Reynolds]

In the hotly anticipated battle of the mascots it's an all lion affair.  

[2 April 2016 13:12 · Charles Reynolds]

GOAL! Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1 - Ruben Loftus-CheekFirst Premier League goal for the youngster, he tucks away Azpilicueta's low cross - with a helpful deflection off Joleon Lescott.

[2 April 2016 13:16 · Charles Reynolds]

Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1: Chelsea looking much more in charge now, this could be another long afternoon for Villa.