Aston Villa v West Ham preview

Villa: Winless in seven league matches

Skysports.com prediction: Villa 2 West Ham 0
Sky Bet odds: Villa 4/6 Draw 13/5 West Ham 9/2
One to Watch: Ashley Young
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Aston Villa will be looking to end their seven-game Premier League winless run against West Ham at Villa Park.

Martin O'Neill's side has challenged for a top four spot for the majority of the season, but now find themselves clinging onto fifth place ahead of Everton.

Villa showed plenty of fight and determination in their last outing after twice battling back from a two-goal deficit to hold The Toffees to a 3-3 draw.

The Hammers, who lost 1-0 to Villa earlier this season, have it all to play for with a place in next season's Europa League in sights.

Gianfranco Zola's side sit seventh in the table just a point above in-form Fulham following their 1-0 defeat at Tottenham last time out.

Villa team news

O'Neill is sweating over the fitness of star striker Gabriel Agbonlahor after he suffered a hamstring strain in last Sunday's 3-3 draw with Everton.

Youngster Nathan Delfouneso is the favourite to fill Agbonlahor's boots if the 11-goal striker fails to recover sufficiently.

However, England international Emile Heskey may make a timely return to the Villa line-up after a hamstring strain, meaning he could partner John Carew in a two-man attack.

Defenders Wilfred Bouma (ankle) and Martin Laursen (knee) are both out of action, while Spaniard Carlos Cuellar (back) is battling to be fit in time for the visit of The Hammers.

If Cuellar misses out again then Nicky Shorey will continue at left-back with Luke Young on the opposite flank, as Curtis Davies and Zat Knight make up the back four.

West Ham team news

Zola will be hoping to welcome back midfielder Radoslav Kovac, who has missed the club's last two fixtures with a thigh injury.

Scott Parker (groin) is battling to be fit for the trip to Villa Park, although midfielders Valon Behrami and Jack Collison are out with knee injuries

Wales defender James Collins will hope to retain his place after returning to the side following a hamstring injury in last Saturday's defeat at White Hart Lane.

Junior Stanislas might keep his starting place after scoring on his full debut against Sunderland and impressing again at White Hart Lane. Germany Under 20 international Savio may also be given the nod by Zola.

Jonathan Spector has again been ruled out of action after suffering concussion during a second-half collision with Sunderland defender Tal Ben Haim while Carlton Cole (groin) is also unavailable.

Possible starting XIs

Aston Villa: Friedel, Young, Knight, Davies, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Young, Heskey, Carew.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Boa Morte, Noble, Parker, Stanislas, Di Michele, Tristan.