Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill wary of struggling Hammers
Villa travel to east London knowing that a win would move them up to fourth in the table.[LNB]They are facing a West Ham side whose solitary Premier League victory came on the opening day of the season when they beat top-flight new boy Wolves.[LNB]They have lost five of their subsequent nine games to lie second from bottom - and threw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at Sunderland last weekend.[LNB]But O'Neill has seen more than enough of Gianfranco Zola's side this season to recognise they will be a real threat to his team.[LNB]He watched them numerous times when he made his move to sign central defender James Collins, who will return to Upton Park at the heart of the Villa backline.[LNB]O'Neil said: "Am I surprised by the start they have made? I would have expected them to have more points.[LNB]"I have seen them quite a few times this season. I was obviously looking when there was a possibility that James Collins would be available so I saw them early season.[LNB]"I might have seen West Ham four times this season against Tottenham, Blackburn, Manchester City and Arsenal.[LNB]"I would think they should have more points on the board but I thought their fight-back against Arsenal was fantastic.[LNB]"So back at Upton Park I would expect them to be a really tough test."[LNB]O'Neill could recall striker John Carew to the starting line-up after he came off the bench at Everton last weekend to grab Villa's equaliser in the 1-1 draw.[LNB]It was Carew's first league goal of the season and O'Neill hopes he can build on that.[LNB]O'Neill added: "That goal will do John the world of good. I just think getting goals for a centre forward is brilliant news."[LNB]While Carew could come in, it is who O'Neill could be without at Upton Park that is at the centre of his thoughts.[LNB]O'Neill does have some serious selection problems for the clash as right-back Carlos Cuellar is suspended after being sent off at Everton last weekend.[LNB]Midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and James Milner, who suffered shin and calf problems respectively at Goodison Park are doubts.[LNB]It is the potential loss of Petrov and Milner that is causing O'Neill[LNB]most concern and he said: "Stiliyan is sore. I will give him every[LNB]opportunity to recover but James is extremely doubtful.[LNB]"He was feeling very tight after last week's Carling Cup tie at Sunderland. It seemed to recur and it was hindering in the first-half at Everton.[LNB]"Hopefully with the strength in depth that we have players can come in and do well.[LNB]"But being without Stiliyan and James would be a serious loss to our midfield."[LNB]In a further blow for Petrov, he is also set to find himself picking up a delayed booking from the clash at Everton.[LNB]Full-back Stephen Warnock was booked but referee Lee Probert has accepted that was a case of mistaken identity as it was Petrov who should have been cautioned.[LNB]O'Neill revealed: "The referee has accepted that he got the identification wrong so Stephen Warnock will get the rescinded.[LNB]"If it is mistaken identity sometimes it gets handed on and I assume it will go on to Stiliyan. Tough luck Stiliyan!"[LNB][LNB]
