Aston Villa vs West Ham preview: Remi Garde still searching for first win

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Joleon Lescott jostles with Siem de Jong during Newcastle vs Aston Villa (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

The Aston Villa defenders: The Villa defenders and goalkeeper have been having a torrid time in the league this season, having kept a clean sheet in only two of their 17 league games this year. If Villa are to have a hope of turning this season around, then they need to start stopping opposition goalscorers from finding the target so consistently.

Best Stat…

0: No team in Premier League history has managed to avoid relegation when they had as little points as Aston Villa have at this stage in the season, with Villa currently bottom with 7 points.

Remember When…

Aston Villa beat West Ham 4-1 en route to an eighth place finish in the 2002/03 season, at a time when the Birmingham based side were not at risk of relegation.

Player to Watch…

Jordan Ayew: The Villa striker has found his form in the Premier League as of late, scoring four goals in his last eight games, including the equalising goal in the game against Newcastle, and could well be the one to break the deadlock against West Ham, who have recorded goalless draws in each of their last three games.

Past three meetings…

Aston Villa 1 (Cleverley) West Ham 0, Premier League, May 2015

West Ham 0 Aston Villa 0, Premier League, November 2014

Aston Villa 0 West Ham 2 (Nolan 2), Premier League, February 2014

Form Guide…

Aston Villa: DLLDLD

West Ham: DLDDDD

Vital Information…

Kick-Off Time: 15:00

TV: Highlights BBC1, 10:30p