Aston Villa look to bounce back from three consecutive defeats as they take on David Moyes’ high-flying West Ham United

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Aston Villa welcome West Ham United to Villa Park as Dean Smith’s side look to rectify a run of poor results against a side fresh off a Carabao Cup triumph against holders Manchester City.

Villa have lost their last three encounters which includes a 3-2 defeat against West Midlands rival Wolves in their last home game. Smith’s side held a 2-0 lead but three goals in the final 15 minutes for Bruno Lage’s side saw them take the three points back to Molineux.

Before the West Midlands derby mare, the Villains took four points from trips to top-four hopefuls Chelsea and Manchester United as they sit 15th in the Premier League table, three points above the drop zone.

A man who could make the difference for Smith’s side is summer signing Leon Bailey. The 24-year-old has only made four league appearances in claret and blue, scoring once and chipping in with two assists. Bailey could be the prolific outlet that Villa have been crying out for in recent games with a lack of creativity as they hope to burst West Ham’s bubbles.

Despite speculation of missing the fixture, Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is back in the UK after travelling home to Argentina to attend a family emergency. The shot-stopper trained with his teammates on Friday and looks set to start between the sticks.

Bertrand Traore is a doubt as he continues to recover from a thigh injury, meanwhile, Trezeguet is ruled out with a knee injury and is reported to return in late December.

Jaden Philogene-Bidance and Morgan Sanson are both doubts through illness but they aren’t COVID-19 related.

West Ham come off the back of booking their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Manchester City on penalties.

In the league, David Moyes’ men have been in solid form winning three of their last five games. Wins away at Leeds, Everton and a London derby victory against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday sees the high-flying Hammers sit fourth in the table.

Michael Antonio has been in fine form through the start of the campaign with six goals and three assists from his first eight games of the campaign. The 31-year-old will hope to add to that tally as he faces a side who’ve conceded eight goals in their previous three.

Alex Kral is the only absence for the London side with COVID. However, the Czech midfielder could return for West Ham’s Europa League trip to Genk on Thursday.

The two sides have faced each other a total of 124 times with their first meeting coming back in February 1913. Villa have been on the winning side 34 times with the Hammers winning on 42 occasions and the sides drawing 34 times.

The last time the two sides met was in February where West Ham came away with a 3-1 win thanks to Tomas Soucek’s opener which was followed up by a Jesse Lingard brace.

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