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Aston Villa vs Swansea preview: Tim Sherwood desperate to end winless run

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Friday 23 October 2015 16:57 BST

It’s a big game for…

ASHLEY WILLIAMS: The Swansea centre-back gave away the decisive penalty against Stoke City on Monday night, condemning Swansea to their third defeat in five matches. As club captain, Williams must lead by example at Villa Park if Garry Monk’s side are to record their first win since August.

Best stat…

28.7. Aston Villa have attempted to dribble past opponents 28.7 times per match this season, significantly more than any other Premier League team. With Jack Grealish, Carles Gil, and Jordan Amavi in the side, Swansea must be wary of Villa’s driving runs towards goal.

Remember when…

A stunning free-kick from Gylfi Sigurdsson settled a Boxing Day clash between these two sides at a sodden Liberty Stadium back in 2014. Swansea ran out 1-0 winners in a match that sent them above Arsenal and into 7th place.

Player to watch…

JORDAN AMAVI: Villa’s new French full-back has made a superb start to life in Birmingham, amassing three assists in his first ten appearances. The former Nice player has been Tim Sherwood’s most reliable attacker in recent weeks, but will face a stern defensive test against Andre Ayew this weekend.

Past three-meetings…

Aston Villa 0 Swansea City 1 (Gomis), Premier League, March 2015

Swansea 1 (Sigursdsson) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, December 2014

Swansea 4 (Bony 2, Shelvey, Hernandez) Aston Villa 1 (Agbonlahor), Premier League, April 2014

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

Show all 17

1/17Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>17) Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - re-entry</b>

Scored an excellent hat-trick against Bournemouth last week but followed that with a below-par performance in the Champions League, the 20-year-old is still wildly inconsistent, as is to be expected. Manuel Pellegrini's team have a massive game against their local and title rivals United. Sterling has caused Louis van Gaal's team problems in the last couple of times they've met but were let off by his finishing, with Sergio Aguero and David Silva expected to miss the game he will be another one of the match-winners City look to.

Last Fixture: W - 5-1 - Bournemouth

Next Fixture: Man United (a)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>16) Petr Cech (Arsenal) - re-entry</b>

Cech's status as a one of the best in the world was once again proved in the win against Bayern. The former Chelsea No 1 pulled off a number of important saves but he made two match-winning saves that did as much to hand Arsenal victory as the goals at the other end. There was one from Thiago Alcantara in the first half and one from Robert Lewandowski in the second - the game was at 0-0 at both points and Bayern were on top. If either of those had been scored it would be tough to see Arsenal coming back.

Last Fixture: W - 0-3 - Watford

Next Fixture: Everton (h)

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>15) Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace) - down 5</b>

Crystal Palce were close to holding on with 10 men against West Ham but their tired legs were undone by two late goals. Cabaye scored but wasn't at his best but he scored and it's worth noting that the score was still 1-1 when he was withdrawn after 77 minutes - the Eagles lost a bit of control after he went to the bench.

Last Fixture: L - 1-3 - West Ham

Next Fixture: Leicester (a)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>14) Glenn Murray (Bournemouth) - re-entry</b>

It's hard to knock Murray, two goals in two starts for the Cherries who are beginning to realise that life is tough in the Premier League, especially when your top striker (Callum Wilson) and £8m summer signing (Tyrone Mings) get long-term injuries. Tottenham at home is an eminently more winnable match than Manchester City away and Murray, again, will be the man Eddie Howe pins his hopes on.

Last Fixture: L - 5-1 - Man City

Next Fixture: Tottenham (h)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>13) John Stones (Everton) - down 9</b>

A sharp fall for the centre-back who was not at fault for any of the three goals conceded against Manchester United, but failed to truly impose his will on Wayne Rooney the way he has done against other opponents this season. Still, Stones is one of the Premier League's emerging stars and he'll face another stiff test with a trip to the Emirates.

Last Fixture: L - 0-3 - Man United

Next Fixture: Arsenal (a)

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>12) Graziano Pelle (Southampton) - down 1</b>

Disappointing against the Foxes, the Italian didn't manage a shot on target as Southampton threw away a two goal lead late on. The physical striker should be relishing the match against Liverpool, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho were improved against Spurs but they are certainly fallable.

Last Fixture: D - 2-2 - Leicester

Next Fixture: Liverpool (a)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>11) Harry Kane (Tottenham) - up 3</b>

We're getting more and more worried as the weeks go by and should he fail to score against Bournemouth then it has to be major cause for concern. The Cherries have conceded 17 goals in their nine matches so far, including those five at City last week, where they were cut apart. Kane doesn't have the kind of support that City attackers lean on, but it's the lack of composure the England striker has shown when presented with chances this season that is a worry.

Last Fixture: D - 0-0 - Liverpool

Next Fixture: Bournemouth (a)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>10) Diego Costa (Chelsea) - up 6</b>

It was tempting to bring Eden Hazard back into the list after he was unceremoniously dropped last week (from these Power Rankings and by Jose Mourinho), especially after he excelled in Kiev and Costa was anonymous. While Chelsea won last week they were hardly at their best, but had Costa thank for two decisive moments, a goal and the cross that led to the own goal. Furthermore, the striker showed great restraint when provoked by Villa centre-backs, something it'd be good to see at a partisan Upton Park.

Last Fixture: W - 2-0 - Aston Villa

Next Fixture: West Ham (a)

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>9) Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle) - down 6</b>

We called on the £13m summer signing to produce a goal against Norwich last week and he did just that - he only drops down because a team-mate stole all of the limelight. Mitrovic continues to improve and seems to have realised that he is best served staying on the pitch rather than getting involved with the opposition. His goal was a bit of a reminder of Alan Shearer, a brilliant control on the chest before a vicious finish on the half-volley. How will he react at the Stadium of Light?

Last Fixture: W - 6-2 - Norwich

Next Fixture: Sunderland(a)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>8) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) - down 7</b>

It's a familiar, disappointing sight to see Daniel Sturridge in his club tracksuit rather than club colours. Liverpool will be desperate to have him fit again for the match against Southampton, for all their work rate and discipline against Spurs, the Reds looked toothless in attack without their main man.

Last Fixture: D - 0-0 - Spurs

Next Fixture: Southampton (h)

2015 Liverpool FC

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>7) Fabio Borini (Sunderland) - new entry</b>

Of the 92 football league clubs in four divisions, Sunderland remain the final one without a win this season. They were unlucky not to draw against West Brom last week - Saido Berahino fouled the keeper - but in attack Sam Allardyce's side didn't exactly set the world alight. Fabio Borini was bought for £8m from Liverpool in the summer after doing decently in a loan spell a couple of years ago. He's had one awful miss this season and, despite his excellent work rate, hasn't looked like scoring apart from that. Sunderland absolutely must beat their rivals; there's more than just local bragging rights at stake.

Last Fixture: L - 1-0 - West Brom

Next Fixture: Newcastle (h)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>6) Dmitri Payet (West Ham) - up 6</b>

Another week goes by and Dmitri Payet produces another performance topped with a breathtaking goal. The Frenchman is easily the signing of the summer so far and he's created more chances for team-mates than any other player in the Premier League this season. West Ham's home form has been mixed this season but they are not facing a vintage Chelsea side; a victory would be a real statement for Slaven Bilic's team. You know that Mourinho's first priority will be to stop the influential Payet.

Last Fixture: W - 1-3 - Crystal Palace

Next Fixture: Chelsea (h)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>5) Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - up 4</b>

How good is Jamie Vardy? He has three more goals than any other player in the Premier League, with seven of his nine goals coming in the last five matches. His goals come at crucial times including the two last week against Southampton, the equaliser at Stoke and the equaliser against Aston Villa (which Leicester went onto win). He's the fastest player in the Premier League and probably the hardest worker. He scores all types of goals. Jamie Vardy is very, very good.

Last Fixture: D - 2-2 - Southampton

Next Fixture: Crystal Palace (h)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>4) Georginio WIjnaldum (Newcastle) - new entry</b>

Newcastle fans had been waiting for that performance for a while. What a game for the team but especially the Dutchman, who has shown flashes of his quality throughout the season. Norwich were extremely poor but Wijnaldum had the skill to take advantage, to the tune of four excellent goals. The biggest is to come on Sunday.

Last Fixture: W - 6-2 - Norwich

Next Fixture: Sunderland (a)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>3) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - up 5</b>

Wayne Rooney was someway back to his best against Everton, showing an improved touch and work rate and taking his chance with a great blend of speed and skill. He followed that with a relatively poor game against CSKA, though he did improve as the match went on. City are the best in the land going forward but can be weak defensively, especially if Manuel Pellegrini continues to leave Vincent Kompany on the bench. With Sergio Aguero and David Silva also out this represents a great chance for United to bloody the nose of their rivals.

Last Fixture: W - 0-3 - Everton

Next Fixture: Man City (h)

2015 Getty Images

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>2) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - up 4</b>

A club record £55m and so far worth every penny. Five goals and five assists in eight matches for City, De Bruyne has embraced being City's top boy in the absences of Aguero and Silva; Jose Mourinho must be kicking himself for never giving the Belgian a chance. He appears to be a great team-mate, working hard and playing unselfishly, while having the quality to bring other players into the game and going alone when he needs to. So far he's shown no weakness in any facet of his game.

Last Fixture: W - 5-1 - Bournemouth

Next Fixture: Man United (a)

Premier League Power Rankings: Week 10

<b>1) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) - up 4</b>

He's the best player in the Premier League. He made a world class right-back in Philipp Lahm look distinctly average in midweek. He's probably the hardest worker in a league that loves hard work. He's an absolute delight to watch whether he has the ball or not. What else is there to say?

Last Fixture: W - 0-3 - Watford

Next Fixture: Everton (h)

2015 Getty Images

Form guide…

ASTON VILLA: LLWLLL

SWANSEA: LDLLDL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 3:00pm, Saturday 24 October

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC1

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