Swansea vs Aston Villa Premier League Preview

PREVIEW

Aston Villa are under pressure to deliver against Swansea City on New Year's Day after a dismal run of form over the festive period.

Swansea will see the game as an opportunity to strengthen their own position in the top half of the table after beating Fulham 2-1 on Saturday to end a four-match winless run. 

Michael Laudrup's men had previously drawn with Reading on Boxing Day, having also held leaders Manchester United 1-1 at the Liberty Stadium before Christmas. 

The Swans are level on points with Liverpool in ninth and not far off the European places, having earned rave reviews for the way they have played this season. 

Villa did manage to beat Swansea earlier in the campaign and were receiving plaudits themselves as recently as a fortnight ago following a 3-1 victory over Liverpool, but they have since suffered three demoralising defeats. 

The heaviest loss came at Stamford Bridge as Villa were thrashed 8-0 by Chelsea, but a 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur increased the pressure and Saturday's 3-0 reverse against Wigan Athletic sparked talk of a crisis. 

Paul Lambert has accepted responsibility for the situation but insisted he remains confident of turning things around, with Villa currently just one point clear of the relegation zone.

TEAM NEWS

SWANSEA

Tuesday's clash with Aston Villa is likely to come too soon for Michu to return from the injury he suffered against Reading. 

Michael Laudrup made seven changes to his side for the trip to Fulham and was rewarded as Danny Graham and Jonathan de Guzman scored in the 2-1 win. 

He therefore faces some tricky selection decisions, especially in goal after Gerhard Tremmel impressed in the absence of Michel Vorm. 

Neil Taylor is a long-term absentee with a broken leg.

ASTON VILLA

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph will return after suspension for Tuesday's Premier League encounter at the Liberty Stadium. 

But Villa's lengthy injury list shows little sign of improving as they look to recover from three heavy defeats in which they have conceded 15 goals against Chelsea, Tottenham and Wigan. 

Striker Darren Bent (hamstring) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), winger Charles N'Zogbia (knee) and defenders Ron Vlaar (calf), Nathan Baker (hamstring) and long-term casualty Richard Dunne (knee) remain sidelined.

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Source: SkySports