Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League encounter between Aston Villa and Swansea City. Both teams come into this match desperate for a win, so we should have an entertaining game on our hands!

We'll start by looking at our hosts this afternoon, and things aren't going too well for Villa at the moment. After a decent start to the season - particularly compared to last year - they have slipped back down the table with four consecutive defeats. As damaging as those defeats would normally be, the thing that makes them even worse is the fact that three of them have come against teams in and around them in the league.

Villa now sit just three points above the relegation zone in a very tight bottom half of the table, and a fifth straight defeat today could see them dragged right into the mire again after enduring such a struggle last season. They are, in fact, just one point better off than at this stage of last season, so Paul Lambert could well be gearing his side up for another relegation battle.

Scoring goals has been the main problem for Villa, who have been without Christian Benteke at various points throughout the season, including this afternoon. They have scored just one goal in their last four games and have netted just six times at Villa Park all season - the lowest home tally of goals from any side in the top four divisions of English football.

At the other end of the pitch, things aren't so bad. Only Hull have conceded fewer goals in the bottom half of the table, with Villa letting in just 24 in their 18 matches so far. That is in stark contrast to last season, where they had no problem scoring with Benteke firing on all cylinders but couldn't keep them from flying in at the other end.

Their home form is a real cause for concern. In addition to scoring just six goals in front of their own fans - and failing to score in five of their last six at Villa Park - they have lost their last two matches and only won twice at home all season. However, one of those victories was an unexpected and memorable one against Man City.

Overall, they have won just 45 points from their last 47 games at Villa Park, picking up just 11 wins in that time. Considering relegation candidates usually rely on home form to keep them up, that is a particularly poor record for Villa, and one that Paul Lambert will be keen to sort out sooner rather than later.

Villa are the only side yet to score in the first half of a home match this season, so don't be surprised if it remains 0-0 at the break. They have also failed to score in half of their 18 matches so far this season, which is the joint worst record in the league. Another unwanted record they hold is the joint worst home form having picked up just seven points from their home matches at Villa Park this season.

Speaking of undesirable records, Villa have not lost five league matches in a row since 2001, which was the only time that they have done so in the Premier League era. Another defeat today would see them match that unenviable milestone.

Swansea aren't in great form themselves, also having not won in their last four league matches - and five in all competitions. The Welsh side have been dogged by inconsistency this season and have really struggled since winning the League Cup in the last campaign.

They sit in 11th place in the table at the moment, but that is a lot less comfortably than it may appear on first glance. Things are so tight in the bottom half that they are just one point above Villa and just four clear of the relegation zone. It is hard to see Swansea being dragged into a relegation dogfight, but if they don't start picking up regular wins soon, then it could well happen.

Unsurprisingly for a side at the top of the bottom half, Swansea have scored more goals than any of the teams below them, finding the net 23 times in their 18 matches so far this season. Only one team in the bottom half have conceded fewer too, with Swansea's defence being breached 24 times.

Unusually, Swansea have actually been better away from home than at the Liberty Stadium so far this season. They have won three times on their travels in the Premier League and four in all competitions, although they are without a win in their last four away games and eight of their 15 games away from South Wales have ended in defeat.

This being Swansea's final match of the year, I suppose there is no better time than to review how 2013 has gone for them. Overall it has to go down as a successful one as they picked up silverware in the form of the League Cup. However, they have struggled in the league, picking up just 38 points from their 36 matches this year.

They can't complain at a lack of luck in that run either. Despite currently enduring their worst spell of form this season, they have already benefited from five own goals. Only once has a team ever had more than six own goals go their way in a season, so they are on course to break an unusual record there.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides and there are changes all round from either manager. Swansea make seven, with the likes of Wilfried Bony, Jonathan de Guzman and Pablo Hernandez returning to the starting lineup, with Villa make three of their own. Full team news on the way.

ASTON VILLA STARTING XI: Guzan; Lowton, Clark, Baker, Luna; Westwood, Bacuna, Weimann; Delph, Agbonlahor, Tonev

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Steer, Helenius, Bowery, Sylla, El Ahmadi, Kozak, Albrighton

SWANSEA STARTING XI: Tremmel; Tiendalli, Williams, Chico, Davies; Canas, de Guzman, Shelvey, Hernandez, Lamah; Bony

SWANSEA SUBS: Zabret, Rangel, Amat, Britton, Pozuelo, Routledge, Vazquez

So, what can we make of those two sides? Well, with such a congested fixture schedule around this time of the year, it is no surprise to see changes being made by both managers. Lambert has been less radical with his, bringing in just three new faces as he looks to stop the rot of four straight defeats.

With no Benteke available to him, he turns to Gabriel Agbonlahor to lead the line with the support of Delph, Tonev and Weimann, all of whom will look to join the attack at every available opportunity. Agbonlahor can be very dangerous on his day, with pace to burn and increasing strength to go with his speed, but his inconsistency is what lets him down quite often.

While Benteke is the noticeable absence at one end of the field, at the other end skipper Ron Vlaar is also a big miss for Paul Lambert's side. He is still out injured and it will be down to Clark and Baker once again to step into his big shoes.

Arguably their most important player in the absence of Vlaar and Benteke is Brad Guzan. The keeper has been forced into action a lot of times over the past couple of years, but despite shipping goals on a regular basis, he always seems to come out with increasing credit as a very good goalkeeper. There is no doubt how valuable he is to Villa and, without him, they would most likely in a lot worse of a state than they currently are.

Guzan will be one of the people glad not to see Michu in the starting lineup, as the Spaniard is still injured and is not due to return for at least another five weeks or so. He is a big loss for Swansea, especially considering how slowly record signing Wilfried Bony has settled into the league. The striker came with a big reputation and a big price tag, but he has lived up to neither so far. Today would be as good a time as any to find his shooting boots.

Like Villa, Swansea are suffering from injuries to some of their most important players at the moment. In addition to Michu, they are without Vorm and Dyer, while Monk is also currently on the sidelines. Still, Michael Laudrup has a squad with decent depth, so they have still been able to name a strong side today - even with the seven changes he has made.

Apart from Bony, Swansea's most dangerous player is probably Jonjo Shelvey. The former Liverpool midfielder always seems to have an impact on a match - for better or worse - and he seems to be developing into quite an influential player. If he is allowed to dominate the midfield today then that will go a long way towards seeing Swansea pick up their first win in five.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Villa Park, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This is quite a tough one to call with two sides short of form and confidence going head to head without some of their best players available. Villa have a poor home record and Swansea's away form isn't the best either, so I see them cancelling each other out today. I'll go for 1-1.

If the visitors want to come away from this match with all three points then they will have to improve their pretty woeful record at Villa Park. They have lost eight of their previous nine trips here, failing to score in each and every defeat. The only exception was a 2-0 win back in January 2012.

One thing that Swansea will be looking to do today is to score first. They are unbeaten in matches where they have taken the lead so far this season, winning five and drawing two, while they have only taken two points from the 10 games in which they have conceded first.

There are three other matches in the Premier League kicking off at 3pm, and you can follow them all live with us on Sports Mole. I will also be keeping you up to date with events from around the country as and when they happen.

Villa Park is awaiting its second game in the space of three days here, and the home fans will be hoping for a change in fortunes today. They haven't been treated to many goals so far this season, will they get some today? We're about to find out...

KICKOFF: We're underway at Villa Park as both sides look to end their poor recent form and finish 2013 on a high.

Scrappy start to this match as both sides look to gain an advantage early on. Neither have managed to keep possession for any substantial time so far.

Bacuna swings a dangerous ball towards the front post, but Agbonlahor started his run just too late and couldn't get there in time as Tremmel collected it comfortably.

Swansea come forward for their first real attack of the match and it is almost a profitable one, but Lamah's effort was blocked behind for a corner.

Villa finally have a first-half goal at home this season! It is lovely play from Weimann, who slides the ball in behind the defence for Agbonlahor to run on to. The striker only has the keeper to beat and he makes no mistakes as he slots it past Tremmel before racing to the bench to celebrate.

There was a huge outburst of relief along with the joy that accompanied that goal for Villa. Their fans haven't had much to cheer here so far this season, so they will be hoping that Paul Lambert's men can hold on here.

Despite the score, Swansea have dominated the ball early on. They have had 62% possession in the opening 10 minutes but they haven't been able to do anything with it. Guzan has not been tested thus far.

Villa make a quick break forward and Agbonlahor is once again leading the attack. He has Delph open to his right but doesn't see him, instead passing it to Weimann, whose cross is comfortably cleared.

Bony tries to slip the ball behind the defence for De Guzman to race on to, but Guzan is alert and quick off his line to collect. Good goalkeeping.

Shelvey goes flying into a tackle on the left touchline, but the referee is right to only award a throw to Villa. Shelvey's foot was high, but the ball was there to be won and the former Liverpool midfielder did exactly that.

SAVE! Swansea break quickly from a Villa attack and Pablo Hernandez collects the ball inside the area. He skips past one man to create a better angle to shoot, but his eventually effort was straight at Guzan. It took the Villa keeper two attempts to hold on to the ball, but he eventually collected it.

The home fans are really getting behind their team at the moment - what a difference a goal makes! Just 48 hours ago they were booing Villa off the park, but there is no hint of negativity around the place at the moment.

CHANCE! What a chance that is for Swansea to level things up! Davies is left completely unmarked from a corner and should really just nod it in from no more than seven yards out. However, he heads it into the ground and it bounces back up and over the bar. Big opening for the visitors.

Swansea are starting to build a lot of pressure on Villa now. They are dominating possession and patiently probing for an opener.

Guzan makes a really good catch under heavy pressure from two Swansea players. Had he dropped it then I'm sure Roger East would have blown for a foul, but there was no need as Guzan held on to it very well.

Swansea are completely on top at the moment and Villa are struggling to get out of their own half with the ball, yet alone able to create any threatening attacks. Swansea need to make more of their possession, though.

Agbonlahor's pace almost causes problems as he looks to latch on to a slightly under-hit back pass from Williams. However, Tremmel is out quickly to clear under pressure.

Weimann strides forward purposefully from midfield before letting fly from range, but his effort is well blocked by Flores. That is a rare attack for Villa, who so far are resisting Swansea's pressure.

At the other end, Shelvey chooses to shoot from range but he also sees his effort blocked as Baker gets in the way.

Villa respond with an attack of their own and Westwood steals the ball in a very good area. He lines up to curl an effort towards the top corner but gets it all wrong and it is still rising as it flies well over the crossbar.

Hernandez does really well down the left to beat Lowton and get to the byline. He cuts inside to create a crossing opportunity, but his delivery is too close to Guzan, who collects comfortably. He should have pulled that back to Bony, who was in a good position.

De Guzman floats a lovely ball into the box, but it is just a foot or so in front of Bony, who is under pressure from two defenders.

CLOSE! Swansea are inches from equalising! Luna makes a mess of his clearance which gifts the ball to De Guzman on the edge of the box. He goes for goal first time, but his effort just swings wide at the last moment. That was very close indeed.

Swansea have the equaliser, and you can't say that it wasn't coming. Hernandez is given the ball on the left by Shelvey before hanging a fine delivery towards the back post. Lamah attacks it and can't really miss from close range as he nods it past the scrambling Guzan.

YELLOW CARD! Lamah was booked in the aftermath of that goal for his celebration, which saw him go into the stands. That is the first booking for the day.

Swansea are in the ascendancy now. They are sense another goal before half time and, the way things are going, I wouldn't bet against it. It was been pretty much one way traffic since Villa took the lead.

That possession statistic looks even worse for Villa now. Swansea have had 75% of the ball, which must be so frustrating for the home fans. At the moment, it seems like a matter of when rather than if Swansea will get their second goal.

Shelvey bursts into the area with a late run and he is picked out with a clever dinked through ball. However, Clark has read the situation well and comes across to make an important tackle.

The fourth official indicates just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

The referee brings an end to proceedings in this first half, and Villa will be delighted to hear his whistle blow. The hosts have been under relentless pressure since taking the lead and Swansea really deserve to be in front at the break. As things stand, the sides are sharing the spoils.

Villa made a perfect start when they took the lead after just seven minutes, but that is just about all you can say about them in the first half from a positive point of view. It was all Swansea from that point on, and they finally got the deserved equaliser 10 minutes before the break through Lamah's header.

Despite all of their possession, Swansea haven't really used the ball too well. Guzan has been tested a few times, but nowhere near as much as he should have been when you consider that the visitors have had 75% of the ball.

That will be the main thing for Laudrup to focus on at the break. He will be urging his side to keep up their heavy pressure as a goal didn't seem too far away during that first half, but they do need to create more chances.

As for Villa, things need to change if they are to get back into this game. It was quite an even match until they scored, but after that they simply couldn't get hold of the ball for any substantial length of time and Swansea began to dominate. At 1-1, they still have a chance of winning the game, but they will need to vastly improve on that first half performance to do so.

Other than the goals, the two best chances of the match have both fallen the way of Swansea. Ben Davies had a glorious opportunity from close range when he was left unmarked from a corner, but his header bounced up and over the bar when he really should have scored. De Guzman also came very close with an effort from the edge of the box just before the equaliser.

The teams are back out for the second half and we are just about ready to go again here. It is still goalless in the other 3pm kickoffs today, but I will let you know as soon as any goals go in.

KICKOFF: Swansea get us back underway at Villa Park as they look to pick up where they left off in the first half.

The visitors haven't been able to reassert their dominance immediately in this second half, but it is still very early days. So far, though, Villa have improved.

UPDATE: The first goal elsewhere in the Premier League's 3pm kickoffs today has gone the way of Hull, who are now 1-0 up against Fulham. It was Ahmed Elmohamady who got the goal for the Tigers.

Shelvey goes down under the challenge of Westwood and the referee duly blows for a free kick in a good position. It is around 30 yards and just left of central. It would be some strike to score from here, but a number of Swansea players are looking interested.

SAVE! De Guzman steps up and goes for goal from the free kick and Guzan needs to make the save, tipping it over the bar for a corner. You'd expect him to make that stop all day long, but it was by no means a bad effort from De Guzman.

Davies charges forward to get involved in a good Swansea move. He shifts it on to Bony, who takes a touch before firing his effort well over the bar. Bony hasn't been involved as much as he would have liked today.

SWANSEA SUB: The first change of the day comes from the visitors as Tiendalli makes way for Angel Rangel. That is a straight swap at right-back.

SAVE! Villa have a rare effort on the Swansea goal as Weimann hits a long-range half volley early to try to catch Tremmel off guard. He connects with it well enough, but it is still pretty comfortable for the Swansea keeper to make the save.

Shelvey plays a long ball forward and it looks like Bony will latch on to it, but Guzan comes sprinting out of his goal and nods it clear from outside the box. That was very aware goalkeeping from the American.

UPDATE: Danny Welbeck has continued his fine recent goalscoring form by opening the scoring for Manchester United against Norwich at Carrow Road.

ASTON VILLA SUB: The hosts' first change of the match sees Tonev make way for Libor Kozak, which should also cause Villa to change formation slightly.

UPDATE: Hull have scored two goals in quick succession at the KC Stadium and now lead Fulham 3-0. It was Koren and Boyd who got the last two goals as the Tigers are on course for a big victory.

SHOT! Shelvey finds space inside the box and works the ball onto his right foot to shoot. His effort has Guzan worried, but Luna gets in an important block and the hosts are fortunate to see the deflection fall at the feet of Baker rather than a white shirt.

Villa have certainly improved in the last few minutes. Their pressure on the ball is much better and they aren't giving Swansea as much time in possession. It is a much more even match now.

SWANSEA SUB: The Swansea goalscorer Lamah makes way to be replaced by Alejandro Pozuelo. That is a positive, attacking change from Michael Laudrup.

YELLOW CARD! Bacuna goes into the book for a late tackle from behind on De Guzman. He can have no complaints about that one.

ASTON VILLA SUB: That will be Bacuna's last action of the match as he is replaced by Karim El Ahmadi.

Agbonlahor has an opening and doesn't think twice above shooting from range. It is a wayward one, however, swinging a long way high and wide of the goal.

UPDATE: Hull are now 4-0 up against Fulham, and it was Huddlestone with the fourth goal, which means he can finally have a haircut! Elsewhere, Man City have taken the lead against Crystal Palace courtesy of an Edin Dzeko strike.

UPDATE: Incredible scenes at the KC Stadium as Fryatt makes it 5-0 to Hull against Fulham. What a huge result that would be for the Tigers. Where do Fulham go from here?

Bony toils away inside the area to find space to shoot. He eventually manages to get an effort underway, but his shot was well blocked and looped into the air before being cleared.

YELLOW CARD! Shelvey whips a fine delivery into the box that is just too high for Bony. Rangel is racing in at the back post but can't reach it with his head so goes for it with his hand instead. As a result, he gets a yellow from the ref.

ASTON VILLA SUB: The hosts' final change of the day sees Weimann make way for Marc Albrighton. That is quite a defensive sub from Lambert.

Frantic play from the visitors as Villa put them under really good pressure in their own half. They never look lie having the ball completely under control, but somehow they keep possession and refuse to hoof it long, eventually playing their way out of trouble.

SWANSEA SUB: The final switch of the match comes from the visitors as Alvaro Vazquez replaces the ineffective Wilfried Bony.

UPDATE: Hull are now six (yes, six!) goals to the good against Fulham at the KC Stadium. Koren has just netted his second of the match.

YELLOW CARD! Clark goes into the book, and that is a costly card for him as it is his fifth of the season, meaning that he will miss the next match.

There is a distinct lack of communication from the Villa defence there as Guzan clatters into Baker as he makes the headed clearance. Luckily for the hosts, they get away it.

Kozak goes down in dramatic fashion having been hauled to the ground by Williams, but the referee waves play on. It was a flamboyant fall, but it did look to be a foul.

SAVE! Delph picks up the ball in midfield and sees a lot of green grass in front of him. With no-one blocking his way he goes for goal from range, stinging the palms of Tremmel, who bats it down before collecting at the second attempt.

YELLOW CARD! El Ahmadi is the latest man to go into the book for a cynical foul. No complaints there.

The fourth official's board shows a minimum of four minutes added time, so there is still time for either side to get a winner here.

Kozak flicks the ball on for Agbonlahor to chase, but by the time he gets to it he is at an impossible angle. That doesn't deter him from going to goal, but it is no surprise to see his shot slam into the side netting.

A chorus of boos greets the final whistle at Villa Park for the second time in the space of three days as Aston Villa and Swansea share the spoils here today. In truth, the home fans should be pleased with a point as they were on the back foot for much of the game, but despite seeing their losing streak end they are making it clear that they are not at all happy with how things are going at the moment.

Gabriel Agbonlahor opened the scoring for the hosts after just seven minutes, but that was one of the last highlights they would have in the match. Swansea took control from thereonin, and deservedly equalised through Roland Lamah's header 10 minutes before half time. They couldn't find a winner in the second half, however, despite relentless pressure on the hosts' defence.

In the end, a draw is not really a satisfactory result for either team. They are both now without a win in five in the league, while they also remain in the positions they started the day in. Out of the two, you'd have to say that Villa would be more pleased with a point despite being the home side, as they saw a lot less of the ball than Swansea this afternoon.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's entertaining match at Villa Park. It ended 1-1 between Aston Villa and Swansea courtesy of goals from Agbonlahor and Lamah. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis, which will be on site shortly. If it is more live football you're after, check out our coverage of Cardiff vs. Sunderland by clicking here. That promises to be an interesting game between two clubs who have gone through troubling times this season. From me, though, it is goodbye!