Aston Villa V West Ham
Barclays Premier League
Saturday April 18, 3pm

LAST MEETING: West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa (20-12-2008) A late Lucas Neill own goal ensured Martin O'Neill's men escaped Upton Park with all three points.

LAST TIME AT VILLA PARK: Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham (06-10-2007) A first-half Craig Gardner goal was enough to ensure the Hammers left the Midlands empty-handed.

HEAD TO HEAD: Aston Villa 34 wins, West Ham 36 wins, 28 draws.

FORM: Aston Villa have been involved in some thrillers recently, with their last three games racking up a massive 16 goals. However, the Villains haven't won in the league for seven games – a run which has seen them surrender the fourth Champions League place to Arsenal.

DANGER MAN: John Carew's aerial threat should produce an intriguing battle with blood and thunder defender James Collins. The Norway international striker has notched 13 goals this season, and is in fine fettle, having notched five in his last eight games.

FUN FACT: Aston Villa hold the record for scoring the most goals in a single season. The class of 1930/31 racked up an incredible 128 goals from their 42 league matches, averaging more than three a game.

MATCH ODDS: Aston Villa 4/6, West Ham 9/2, Draw 13/5.

PREDICTION: Aston Villa 2 West Ham 1.