Aston Villa's English head coach Dean Smith gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at The London Stadium, in east London on November 30, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Two top-six contenders in the Premier League look to strengthen their credentials as Aston Villa play host to West Ham in an exciting midweek fixture on Wednesday night.
The Villans got things back on track with an impressive 1-0 win over Southampton at the weekend, having lost 3-2 against Burnley on January 27. Dean Smith’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham in December and will be looking to make amends this time around.
With Aston Villa just three points adrift of 5th-placed West Ham, a home victory would be enough to see them leapfrog David Moyes’s side in the standings. However, they will face an uphill battle against the Hammers, who have won four of their last five games in the Premier League.
Smith doesn’t have too many injury issues to contend with. Wesley Moraes remains a long-term absentee while Korney Hause is ruled out with an ankle problem.
The former Arsenal star has justified his status as the undisputed No.1 between the sticks with some top-notch displays through the season.
The 23-year-old has caught the eye in his first season in the Premier League as an exciting young full-back capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch.
The former Southampton graduate has started each of Villa’s 19 games in the PL so far this season, establishing himself as one of the first names on Smith’s team sheet.
The young centre-back has really come to the fore with some commanding displays this season. He should be high on confidence after another strong performance against Southampton.
The England international has flourished as a key player for the Villans at the back. He is likely to start once again on Wednesday.
The former Man City star has been instrumental in Villa’s impressive campaign in the top-flight, starting all but one of the club’s 19 games so far.
The Scottish international remains a key cog in Smith’s midfield with his well-rounded attributes. He will surely have a big part to play against West Ham.
Villa will rely heavily on their influential skipper once again to spark creativity in the final third when they play host to West Ham in the midweek fixture.
The Chelsea loanee has made a big impact at Villa Park, despite struggling with injuries, and will be high on confidence after netting the winner in the last game.
Traore has performed well below expectations in the last couple of games, which could open the door for the Egyptian to get a start on Wednesday.
The former Brentford marksman has scored twice in his last three league games for the Villans and could once again be the difference-maker for Smith’s side.