Walsall v Aston Villa as it was tweeted...

Christian Benitez dies: RIP Chucho

We are stunned and upset to hear of the death of Christian "Chucho" Benitez at the tender age of just 27.

The Ecuador international  spent an eventful 2009-10 season on loan at St Andrew's making 36 appearances for the Blues and scoring four goals.

Despite his lack of goals, Benitez did contribute to Birmingham's successful season with his link-up play and physical presence.

Before his illness, he had been linked with a return to the Premier League with either Tottenham or Swansea.

Can't believe Christian Benitez aka chucho has died had the pleasure to play with him he was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family

— Craig Gardner (@CraigGards8) July 29, 2013

Rip chucho pic.twitter.com/QFaIVgpMJE

— Craig Gardner (@CraigGards8) July 29, 2013

URGENTE: Lamentamos confirmar la muerte del delantero ecuatoriano Christian 'Chucho' Benítez (Noticia en desarrollo) pic.twitter.com/qfmDq417zE
— ElComerciodeEcuador (@elcomerciocom) July 29, 2013

RIP Christian 'Chucho' Benitez. Forever in our hearts. #BCFC http://t.co/A9mhqMYEYi

— Birmingham City FC (@BcfcDotCom) July 29, 2013

The thoughts of all at Birmingham City Football Club are with the friends and family of Chucho following this very sad news. #RIP

— Birmingham City FC (@BcfcDotCom) July 29, 2013

The club will be looking to mark the passing of Chucho at St. Andrew's ahead of this Saturday's fixture against Watford. #BCFC #RIP

— Birmingham City FC (@BcfcDotCom) July 29, 2013

Newport County v Aston Villa as it was tweeted...

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Crewe Alexandra v Aston Villa as it was tweeted...

New squad numbers toll death knell for N'Zogbia's Villa career

Aston Villa have confirmed the squad numbers for the new season, with the injured Charles N'Zogbia losing his coveted Number 10 and getting a squad number that puts him firmly in the "Bomb Squad".

Andi Weimann is the beneficiary of this, while Benteke will continue in the Number 20 shirt, allowing new face Nicklas Helenius to take on the responsibility of the iconic Number 9.  Darren Bent reverts back to 39, though his move shouldn't be far off now. He is surrounded in the 30s by several other members of the "Bomb Squad" and by Matt Lowton who wears No. 34 by choice.

Gutted to lose my No 9 shirt. Unfortunately one of those things I have to deal with. KTF

— Darren Bent (@DarrenBent) July 24, 2013

Stan Petrov's Number 19 shirt gets a single season retirement while the Number 13 shirt comes out of retirement for new keeper Jed Steer, while it's no surprise that Brad Guzan snaffles the Number 1 shirt.. With no Andy Marshall this season, we were expecting that Benji Siegrist would have got a squad number but he's not on the list released today.

1 Brad Guzan
2 Nathan Baker
3 Joe Bennett
4 Ron Vlaar
5 Jores Okore
6 Ciaran Clark
7 Leandro Bacuna
8 Karim El Ahmadi
9 Nicklas Helenius
10 Andreas Weimann
11 Gabby Agbonlahor
12 Marc Albrighton
13 Jed Steer
14 Antonio Luna
15 Ashley Westwood
16 Fabian Delph
17 Chris Herd
18 Yacouba Sylla
19 Not Available
20 Christian Benteke
21 Jordan Bowery
22 Gary Gardner
24 Aleksandar Tonev
25 Samir Carruthers
34 Matt Lowton
35 Shay Given
36 Charles N'Zogbia
37 Enda Stevens
38 Nathan Delfouneso
39 Darren Bent
40 Stephen Ireland
41 Alan Hutton
42 Barry Bannan

Luton Town v Aston Villa as it was tweeted...

Minions: Soccer