Aston Villa-West Ham United Preview

JAMES PIERCY,

(AP) -- LONDON (SE) - West Ham defender Jack Collison believes Wednesday's Premier League clash at home to Aston Villa can provide the springboard to escaping relegation.

The Hammers were unlucky not to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday after throwing away a 2-0 lead in being held to a 2-2 draw.

Villa's visit to Upton Park is followed by a home game with Everton on Saturday and Wales international Collison said: "The next two home games could mean six points and that might change our season.

"You have to win your home games. The table will have a healthier look if we get those two wins behind us and that is our aim.

"The main plus is that we are creating a lot of chances and we look like we have lots of goals in us.

"We did well to score twice against Arsenal when other teams might have gone under and we got a couple at Sunderland and could have had more.

"We did not really know how to feel on Saturday because Sunderland are a good side and at the end of the season it might be a good point gained.

"It is strange because the same thing in reverse happened to us last week against Arsenal but I think we are showing that there is a lot of heart in our side and talent.

"We are just taking each game in our stride and we will get it right. We are getting there definitely. We are definitely getting closer to stringing a few wins together.

"There is a real desire in the squad and we are certain that there are some good results just around the corner."

West Ham will be without defender Robert Kovac, who is suspended after being sent off during the draw at Sunderland.

Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock insists Martin O'Neill's side have become a fearsome prospect away from home.

Villa have taken eight points from their five games on the road this season, losing only once.

Left back Warnock said: "You know when teams are struggling for results there is going to be a turning point.

"I think a lot of lads are wary of that going to West Ham.

"We are unbeaten in our last three away games and teams know when we are coming to their ground it is going to be difficult.

"You have to make yourselves hard to beat away from home. It is the key to climbing up the league."

Villa manager O'Neill faces a triple selection dilemma.

Defender Carlos Cuellar is suspended after being sent off in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Everton while captain Stiliyan Petrov and midfielder James Milner are doubtful after picking up knocks at Goodison Park.

O'Neill said: "James was struggling a little bit, he had a calf injury and he continued on manfully until we took him off at half-time.

"Stiliyan's not so clever at the moment, he obviously tried to play on and we'll see how he is."

Updated November 2, 2009