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Chris Samba plays for Aston Villa Under 23s as former Blackburn defender looks to earn contract

Chris Samba was handed a surprise start for Aston Villa's Under 23s on Monday night as he looked to prove his fitness to manager Steve Bruce and win a contract with the Championship club.

The 32-year-old defender was part of Kevin MacDonald's depleted development squad, who came from behind to record a 2-1 victory against Wolves at Molineux.

All eyes were on Samba, with several regulars excluded and likely to be in contention for the first team at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, and the Congo international got through 60 minutes of the win.

Former Blackburn defender Chris Samba played 60 minutes for Aston Villa Under 23s
Former Blackburn defender Chris Samba played 60 minutes for Aston Villa Under 23s
The 32-year-old was unable to prevent Villa from falling behind before they recovered to win
The 32-year-old was unable to prevent Villa from falling behind before they recovered to win

Samba was joined in defence by Mitchell Clark, Jacob Bedeau and Easah Suliman - who have a combined age of just 53 - and he was tasked with leading the inexperienced group through the contest.