Maloney may start for Villa

Shaun Maloney could come into contention for a rare start as Aston Villa host West Ham after returning to training following an ankle problem.

The former Celtic player, who has netted three goals as a substitute this season, may challenge Luke Moore for a place alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Moore has struggled to recapture the form he showed in the early part of last season before undergoing a shoulder operation and is still to net in the Barclays Premier League during the current campaign.

Patrik Berger (calf) and John Carew (knee) are still ruled out as Villa look to recover from the shock of conceding three goals in the final 21 minutes of the 4-4 draw at Tottenham.

Villa (from): Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Gardner, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Moore, Maloney, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Harewood, Taylor, Davies, Osbourne.