In the battle of the Claret and Blue sides, it is the home team most urgently in need of points in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Villa Park.
A run of eight games without a win has seen the Premier League perennials plummet into the drop zone.
Only Queens Park Rangers sit below Villa in the table and, with pressure mounting on manager Paul Lambert, three points against dodgy travellers West Ham are surely a must.
The Hammers haven't won away from Upton Park since mid-November but six home wins have helped ensure that Sam Allardyce's side are nine points clear of their hosts going into this one.
Despite their questionable form, both these sides enjoyed encouraging results at the weekend.
West Ham produced a gritty display to see off Swansea at the Boleyn Ground, while Villa drew 3-3 in an entertaining contest at Everton.
But it is the manner of that draw - after conceding yet another late goal - that will concern Villa supporters.
Their fragile team will need to be strong both mentally and physically against Allardyce's robust outfit in what could be a significant afternoon in establishing Villa's survival credentials.
Aston Villa
Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has recovered from an ankle injury after a two-game absence and is included in the squad.
Karim El Ahmadi has also shaken off a knock to the knee sustained in the draw at Everton last weekend.
Villa boss Paul Lambert will run a fitness check over a third midfielder in Ashley Westwood, who is currently suffering from illness, but defender Richard Dunne is still out with a groin problem.
West Ham United FC
Sam Allardyce has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his side's trip to face Villa and is able to welcome Modibo Maiga back to the squad.
The forward has returned to the club following Mali's exit from the Africa Cup of Nations but is unlikely to feature.
Defensive duo James Collins (hamstring) and George McCartney (knee) are still out but all of the Hammers players on international duty returned from their midweek exertions unscathed.
Facts
- Aston Villa have recovered fewer points than any other team from matches they have been trailing this season (two).
- Paul Lambert's side are on a run of nine Premier League games without a clean sheet; only Fulham (11 games) are on a longer current run in the PL.
- The Hammers have taken just one point from the last 21 available on the road and scored just five goals in their last nine games away from home in the Premier League.
Last edited by Admin on Fri 08 Feb 2013, 3:00 pm; edited 1 time in total