West Ham v Aston Villa preview

O'Neill: Champions League aim

PREDICTIONS

Skysports.com's prediction: West Ham 1 Villa 2

Sky Bet odds: West Ham 17/10, Draw 9/4, Villa 13/8

One to Watch: Nigel Reo-Coker

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Aston Villa travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Wednesday night hoping to reinforce their top-four credentials, while also increasing the problems at Upton Park.

Martin O'Neill's Villa side are among the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City in hoping to break the stranglehold of the 'Big Four' on the UEFA Champions League qualifying positions.

With the season proving evenly contested so far, Villa could move into fourth position with three points in East London and they will be confident as their hosts are experiencing a contrastingly difficult campaign.

Gianfranco Zola's Hammers sit level on points with Portsmouth at the bottom of the table, having failed to win since the opening day at newly-promoted Wolves.

West Ham's struggles have come as a surprise after a positive performance in Zola's debut campaign as a manager in England suggested a push for the Europa League could be a possibility.

But the Italian has been hampered by off-field speculation regarding the club's hierarchy and financial status, which has taken a further hit after former boss Alan Curbishley won his case for wrongful dismissal.

Injury problems

West Ham have also been hampered by injury problems and they will still be without key players for the arrival of Villa.

Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee) remain long-term absentees, while injury-plagued Kieron Dyer has suffered a setback in his bid to recover 100 per cent fitness.

Influential midfielder Scott Parker returns from suspension, but Radoslav Kovac is banned as a result of his sending off against Sunderland last weekend.

Villa have also been rocked by fitness problems ahead of their trip to the capital, which could see Nigel Reo-Coker feature against his former club.

The midfielder has not started a league game since a training ground bust-up with O'Neill in September, but he may replace James Milner (calf) or Stilyan Petrov (shin) as the pair are struggling.

Fabian Delph could also deputise for Milner or Petrov as Craig Gardner is unavailable due to a groin injury.

Carlos Cuellar is suspended after being sent off at Everton and Luke Young and Habib Beye are vying to step in at right-back.

Possible starting XIs

West Ham: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison, Cole, Diamanti.

Villa: Friedel, L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Delph, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, A Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.