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Aston Villa vs West Ham United. Premier League.

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Aston Villa v West Ham preview

Image: Zola: Injury nightmare

Gianfranco Zola may struggle to name a first XI when he takes West Ham to face Aston Villa.

Davies not ready for hosts while Hammers face injury crisis

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola may struggle to name a starting XI when he takes his side to face Aston Villa on Sunday. The Hammers have up to 10 first-team players in the treatment room and with the club's poor finances restricting Zola's attempts to sign reinforcements the Londoners find themselves up against it before a ball has been kicked. West Ham currently lie just outside the drop zone with one win in their last six games, although a credible 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea occurred in the midst of that run. Meanwhile, Villa will be buoyed by their 1-0 victory over Blackburn in the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg on Thursday, although Zola will be hoping a few of Martin O'Neill's men will still be feeling the exertions from Ewood Park on Sunday. The Midlanders currently sit nicely in sixth, three points off Manchester City in fourth, despite losing their last two Premier League games, against Arsenal and Liverpool. However, O'Neill will know his side must start picking up maximum points in the coming weeks if they are to maintain their challenge for the final UEFA Champions League place, with three of City's next four league games coming against teams currently occupying the relegation places.

Team news

Defender Wilfred Bouma is still out with an ankle injury having not played in the last 18 months. It is hoped the Dutchman will return to full training next week. Fellow defender Curtis Davies has fully recovered from the shoulder problem that has kept him sidelined since August but the game against the Hammers may have come too soon for the 24-year-old. Brad Friedel should return in net having dropped to the bench for the League Cup tie against his former club Blackburn with Brad Guzan starting in goal. Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Herita Ilunga are all struggling to be fit for the Hammers with the trio all suffering with hamstring injuries. Zola will be extra cautious with Parker having risked the midfielder at Tottenham last month only for the 29-year-old to limp off after just 12 minutes with Ilunga following seven minutes later. Striker Guillermo Franco is the latest to be sidelined with a hamstring problem limiting Zola's options up front with Carlton Cole (knee) not expected back until next weekend. Defender Danny Gabbidon, yet another player with hamstring problems, may return but the club remain unsure as to when midfielder Kieron Dyer (hamstring), forward Zavon Hines (knee) and stabbing victim Calum Davenport will next feature. Meanwhile, winger Luis Boa Morte is another long-term casualty with the Portuguese ace out for the season with knee damage.
Possible starting XIs
Aston Villa: Friedel, Warnock, Dunne, Collins, Cuellar, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey. West Ham: Green, Upson, Tomkins, Kovac, Daprela, Behrami, Stanislas, Jimenez, Faubert, Diamanti, Nouble.

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