Preview: West Ham United vs. Aston Villa - prediction, team news, lineups

Despite a marked upturn on home soil, the Hammers remain just one point outside the relegation zone, with mid-table Aston Villa sitting 11 points clear of David Moyes's side.

Match preview

Facing a potentially tricky test in Cyprus on Thursday, West Ham ended up claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory over AEK Larnaca to place one foot in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

Michail Antonio's first-half brace was enough to secure an important away win for the Hammers, who would have been eager to put last weekend's 4-0 humiliation at Brighton & Hove Albion behind them as quickly as possible.

It would not be unfair to say that Moyes's men were torn apart by Brighton, as the Seagulls soared to a dominant victory at the Amex, limiting West Ham to 34% possession and two attempts on target while racking up 20 shots of their own.

The London club have now lost 14 of their 25 Premier League matches this season, while only Leicester City and Southampton have suffered more defeats, so it is no surprise that West Ham find themselves just two points above bottom club Bournemouth.

That said, the Hammers have taken seven points from their last three home league games, with a win over Everton and a draw against Chelsea preceding a 4-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest, so they will fancy their chances of recording another positive result on Sunday.

Aston Villa benefitted from a Joachim Andersen own goal to claim a scrappy 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace last time out, securing back-to-back Premier League wins for the third time since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in November.

Not only have Villa won each of their last two league matches, but they have also won four of their previous seven, keeping three clean sheets in the process.

There is no denying that Emery has made a big impact at Villa Park, as the Villains have taken 22 points from a possible 36 since the Spaniard's arrival, winning seven of their 12 Premier League games under the former Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal manager.

It is also worth noting that Aston Villa have scored at least one goal in each of their past 14 games across all competitions, with Ollie Watkins finding the back of the net in five consecutive league outings between January and February.

Although Villa have struggled for consistency on their travels of late - recording four wins and four losses in their previous eight away matches - Emery's men will not fear Sunday's trip to the London Stadium.

West Ham United Premier League form:

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West Ham United form (all competitions):

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Aston Villa Premier League form:

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Team News

West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski sustained a fractured cheekbone in the 4-0 win against Nottingham Forest, meaning that Alphonse Areola will continue to deputise between the sticks.

David Moyes made seven changes to his starting XI for Thursday's Europa Conference League clash, with only Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Declan Rice and Said Benrahma keeping their places in the team.

Having bagged a brace against Forest, Danny Ings is expected to replace Michael Antonio in attack, while Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen are also likely to be restored to the starting lineup.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have several players sidelined due to injury, with Philippe Coutinho, Leander Dendoncker, Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos all set to miss Sunday's clash.

The injury to Kamara means that John McGinn could be deployed in a deeper role this weekend, opening the door for Leon Bailey to return to the starting XI.

Matty Cash appears to have nailed down the right-back spot for the Villans, but it remains to be seen whether Unai Emery will opt for Alex Moreno or Lucas Digne at left-back.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Areola; Johnson, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Emerson; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Ings

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Luiz, McGinn; Bailey, Buendia, Ramsey; Watkins

We say: West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa

Having recorded two wins and one draw in their last three Premier League home games, West Ham United will be confident of picking up another positive result at the London Stadium, although Moyes's side may have to settle for a draw against a revived Aston Villa outfit.

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