The final game of the 4 away games is at Upton Park against a West Ham team struggling but you can see that they can create chances. It is a game that after a run of draws we should be winning if we are serious about our chances of making a serious challenge for the top 4.

What we know about the team is that with the additions of Warnock, Collins and Dunne, defensively this is the best Villa side since the Brian Little days of Ugo and Southgate. James Collins of course will be returning for the first time to Upton Park, he will get a decent reception there and he has proved to be the bargain of the summer of any team.

However we are lacking something up front the lack of creating good chances is worrying but there were signs against Everton of Ash young starting to regain his form and the we have the enigma of John Carew. It will not be clear until KO if Milner and Petrov will be fit to start which would leave some interesting choices in both personnel and formation. I would really hope that Marc Albrighton if Milner is unfit will start and not push Gabby to the right instead of staying up front where he has been so effective.

If we win this game, which is our game in hand we will find ourselves going into Bolton which is a winnable game in a very good position, a draw will simply put too much pressure on for that game. We can and should win but with Villa as we know it is never that simple !