Aston Villa v West Ham preview

Aston Villa v West Ham preview

Published Feb. 8, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Aston Villa will aim to take advantage of West Ham's poor away form as they look to boost their survival bid on Sunday.

Villa are boosted by the return of midfielder Fabian Delph who 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.

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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.

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