West Ham v Aston Villa preview

Villa still harbour fifth place hopes

Last updated: 9th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

West Ham v Aston Villa preview

Mellberg: Farewell appearance

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com's prediction: 0-2

SKY BET odds: West Ham 9/4, Draw 9/4, Aston Villa 5/4

One to Watch: Ashley Young

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Aston Villa travel to West Ham hoping to capitalise on any slip-up from Everton to finish in fifth spot.

Everton are favourites to finish fifth as they require only a point from their clash with Newcastle after Villa's defeat to Wigan last weekend.

Olof Mellberg will make his farewell appearance for Villa as he prepares to join Juventus next season.

Craig Gardner is still missing with a thigh problem, otherwise Villa boss Martin O'Neill has no other injury worries to contend with.

Scott Carson plays the final game of his loan spell from Liverpool with the keeper's future still undecided.

Patrik Berger will not be given the chance of a farewell appearance after he was shown the exit door at Villa Park for advising Gareth Barry to make the move to Liverpool.

West Ham will be looking to end the season on a high after a poor run of form in the last few months.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has seen his future become the subject of conjecture and he will be determined to silence the critics at Upton Park with a good show against Villa.

Matthew Upson and Anton Ferdinand could return from injury against Villa on Sunday.

The defensive duo have missed the club's last three games through injury, but both are back in training and could return to the starting XI.

Dean Ashton is doubtful for West Ham after he was forced to limp off with a hamstring injury during last weekend's defeat at Manchester United, with Carlton Cole standing by to step-in should he fail to recover in time.

Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Freddie Ljungberg all remain sidelined for the Hammers.