Aston Villa v. Burnley: Premier League Preview

Aston Villa face two massive matches in the coming days as they entertain Crystal Palace in an FA Cup replay, before a Carling Cup Final at Wembley against Manchester United.

But before that, Villa host unfashionable Burnley in another competition, the Premier League, as they look to get more points on board in the race for fourth place.

Aston Villa currently lie seventh in the Premier League  table, but are just three points behind Manchester City, who occupy the final UEFA Champions League place.

And with City taking on fellow Champions League challengers Liverpool on Sunday, Villa have a chance to consolidate their position at the top end of the league.

They will most certainly fancy their chances against Burnley , who have the worst away record of all teams in the top-flight.

Burnley have such a bad record, they're starting to make League One side Gillingham look like a formidable side away from home!

Just one point on the road so far means Brian Laws' Burnley players are in desperate need of some points, as the threat of relegation looms large over the Lancashire club.

Having started the 2009/10 Premier League campaign so impressively, the Clarets have fallen by the wayside in recent times and are currently second-bottom in the table.

Only the laughable and dysfunctional Portsmouth have fewer points, but even they somewhat surprisingly have a better away record than Burnley.

Team News

Aston Villa

Aston Villa hope to have strike duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey available for the clash at Villa Park.

Agbonlahor missed last weekend's FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace with a leg injury he picked up in a Premier League game against Manchester United the week before.

Heskey was forced off against in the game against Palace with a groin problem, but both he and Agbonlahor have thankfully been able to train this week.

Captain Stiliyan Petrov will retain his starting role as he continues to battle against nagging ankle and achilles problems.

Full-back Stephen Warnock also looks set to be in the line-up after making his comeback from a shin injury against Palace.

Burnley

For Burnley, defender Leon Cort is expected to be fit for the trip to Birmingham. Cort , signed from Stoke City last month, was forced off with a groin injury in the Fulham defeat 10 days ago.

Veteran midfielder Graham Alexander, missing for the last three weeks with a calf problem, is rated 50-50 to return.

Stephen Jordan (hamstring) and Chris McCann (knee) could come back into contention but captain Steven Caldwell (groin) is still sidelined.

Yoosof Farah 's Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Burnley

Odds: Villa 2/5, Draw 10/3, Burnley 15/2