MIDDLESBROUGH have been boosted by the return of Hayden Hackney for the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa - with the Redcar-born midfielder captaining the team for the first time.

Hackney comes into the team replacing Jonny Howson in one of two changes, with Alex Bangura also in for Dael Fry.

In two further boosts, Matt Crooks and Emmanuel Latte Lath return to the bench.

It's not clear how Boro's backline will shape up, with both Lukas Engel and Bangura in the team and no natural right-back.

One of the two left siders could potentially switch to the right, or Isaiah Jones could drop in to the defence and Bangura could play further forward. Alternatively, Rav van den Berg could play right-back with Engel or Bangura moving into the centre, but that feels unlikely. There could be a change of shape to a back three, with Jones and Bangura playing as wing-backs and Engel dropping into the centre.

Unai Emery has made four changes to his Aston Villa team, with Ollie Watkins dropping to the bench. World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez starts in goal and John McGinn captains the side.

BORO: Glover, Engel, van den Berg, Clarke, Bangura; Hackney, Barlaser, Jones, Rogers, Greenwood, Coburn

Subs: Jones, Fry, Gilbert, Latte Lath, Howson, Coulson, Crooks, McCabe, Bridge

ASTON VILLA: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Moreno, Dendoncker, Kamara, McGinn, Ramsey, Bailey, Duran.

Subs: Marschall, Proctor, Carlos, Luiz, Watkins, Diaby, Zaniolo, Iroegbunam.