Six pointer, blah blah blah! In all seriousness, Villa have got to build on their impressive festive tally of results and start to seriously climb the table. A few wins will make the world of difference, a few losses and we stand the chance of getting sucked back into the basement battle.
Aston Villa Team News:
Baros returns from suspension, Bakke returns having had to sit out last weekends cup tie due to the instructions of his club Leeds. Barry misses the game due to a one match suspension (5 yellow cards) and with Bouma out with a knee injury, Jlloyd – a target of Bolton and Charlton according to recent reports – will make a rare start. (from) Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Delaney, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, McCann, Bakke, Milner, Davis, Angel, Baros, Moore, Gardner, Whittingham, Hendrie.
Player to watch: Mark Delaney
He’s been in outstanding form as centre back in recent games.
West Ham United Team News:
Alan Pardew is reportedly going to give Yaniv Katan his first start in the Premiership. Yossi Benayoun will have a late fitness test on his thigh injury but is unlikely to feature. Roy Carroll and Anton Ferdinand are expected to be back in contention. Sheringham is out. (from) Carroll, Hislop, Bywater, Dailly, Repka, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Collins, Konchesky, Clarke, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Fletcher, Benayoun, Etherington, Noble, Newton, Harewood, Zamora, Aliadiere, Katan.
Player to watch: Marlon Harewood.
Everyone said he was a donkey. Everyone said he couldn’t score in a brothel. Then he went and scored a hattrick against us and ‘everyone’ went quiet! Proved he can score given the chance. Mind you, so has Sven, but I guess that is another story.
Match Facts & Stats
Aston Villa are 12th with 25 points.
Best case: 10th
Worst case: 16th (depending on goal difference)
Current form league: 6th
Last six games: D L W D D W
Home form league: 15th with 3 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses.
West Ham are 10th with 26 points.
Best case: 9th
Worst case: 14th (depending on goal difference)
Current form league: 18th
Last six games: W L D L L L
Away form league: 8th, 3 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses.
This season: West Ham United 4-0 Aston Villa
(Harewood 25, 29, 50. Benayoun 89)
Premiership record: Villa 6 wins, West Ham 4 wins, 11 Draws.
Prem record at Villa Park: Villa 4 wins, West Ham 1 win, 5 Draws.
Ref Watch:
Martin Atkinson. 9 matches, 0 reds, 29 yellows.
Match Prediction:
Mystic Mug 
says The Hammers will be no pushover but is expecting a home win. 2-1
Next Fixtures:
21/01/2006 (Tottenham)
28/01/2006 PORT VALE (4th round FA Cup)
01/02/2006 CHELSEA
