Another home game, another win – that will be the minimum requirement for Tim Sherwood’s Villa, who are only two points above the drop zone, despite beating Everton at Villa Park last Saturday. Gabriel Agbonlahor returns from injury but will start on the bench against a West Ham side who have a chance to qualify for Europe via the fair play table. What a test for Reece Burke, the 18-year-old defender, who will be up against an in-form Christian Benteke. Stuart James
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Villa Park
Last season Aston Villa 0 West Ham 2
Referee L Mason
This season G23, Y66, R5, 3.30 cards per game
Odds H 10-11 A 10-3 D 13-5
Aston Villa
Subs from Guzan, Senderos, Hutton, Sinclair, Cole, Sánchez, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Lowton, Cissokho, Gil
Doubtful None
Injured Baker (knee, unknown), Clark (knee, unknown), Kozak (broken leg, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLDWLW
Discipline Y70 R7
Leading scorer Benteke 12
West Ham Utd
Subs from Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Lee, O’Brien, Oxford, Cullen, Poyet, Song, Jarvis, Nenê, Cole
Doubtful None
Injured Carroll (knee, Aug), Tomkins (shoulder, Aug), Demel (calf, unknown), Henry (hamstring, unknown), Reid (hamstring, unknown), Sakho (thigh, unknown)
Suspended None
Form WLDLDW
Discipline Y63 R2
Leading scorer Sakho 10
