Source: SKY_Sports
West Ham v Aston Villa preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} 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.[LNB] 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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Injury problemsWest Ham have also been hampered by injury problems and they will still be without key players for the arrival of Villa.[LNB]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. [LNB]Influential midfielder Scott Parker returns from suspension, but Radoslav Kovac is banned as a result of his sending off against Sunderland last weekend.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Fabian Delph could also deputise for Milner or Petrov as Craig Gardner is unavailable due to a groin injury. [LNB]Carlos Cuellar is suspended after being sent off at Everton and Luke Young and Habib Beye are vying to step in at right-back.[LNB]Possible starting XIsWest Ham: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison, Cole, Diamanti.[LNB]Villa: Friedel, L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Delph, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, A Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.[LNB]
