Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League encounter between high-flying West Ham United and struggling Aston Villa at Upton Park. Plenty to play for at both ends of the table this afternoon. We should have some team news through for you shortly.

ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Cissokho; Sanchez, Westwood, Cleverley, Weimann, N'Zogbia; Agbonlahor

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Given, Clark, Bacuna, Cole, Senderos, Richardson, Bent

Following last weekend's 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has made just the one change to his starting lineup as Gabriel Agbonlahor replaces the suspended Christian Benteke up front. Charles N'Zogbia, Tom Cleverley and Andreas Weimann are among those who keep their places in the XI.

WEST HAM: Adrian; Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell; Kouyate, Downing, Noble, Song; Sakho, Valencia

WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, Nolan, Tomkins, Carroll, O'Brien, Amalfitano, Cole

After seeing his team come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stoke City last Saturday, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has also made just the one change. The good news for the Hammers is that top scorer Diafra Sakho is fit again and goes straight into the starting lineup, replacing Morgan Amalfitano. Sakho has already scored seven goals this season and the hosts will be delighted to see him back.

Right, let's get down to business. These two teams have experienced vastly different fortunes in the past few weeks, as demonstrated by the table. West Ham are currently in fifth place thanks to a four-game unbeaten run that has included three wins, while Villa have slipped down to 16th place after losing their last five matches. This afternoon's encounter is important for different reasons, but it would be fair to say that the visitors need the points more than their opponents.

Villa boss Paul Lambert: "I've got some really good players so I don't have any fears about [being under pressure] whatsoever. Sam has been through it and he has been there and bought the t-shirt.

"He has been over the course before and has a really good side. Even when it was all happening, I remember from the outside looking in it was not nice seeing that from any crowd doing that to a manager. But he came through it and that's what you do, you come through it.

"Some others might like [opposition managers getting abuse] but me personally, I don't like seeing it because I know how hard the job is. When results go for you then great, but if not then you know what's coming."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We have got to make sure we continue their poor run at the moment. When they pulled off a result at Liverpool away, he and his players will remember that and it shows what they are capable of.

"I imagine it will be a very difficult game, trying to break them down and we will have to be really aware about not leaving too many spaces so they can play that very good counter attacking game they adapt well too when they play away from home."

If you've got a few minutes to spare before kickoff, why not check out our video preview of today's game below:

It's amazing to think that Aston Villa's last win in the Premier League came all the way back in the middle of September - an impressive 1-0 triumph against Liverpool at Anfield. Since then it's all gone so terribly wrong for the Villans. Six defeats, one goal scored and a whole lotta discontent from the fans.

Villa would have fancied themselves to get something out of this fixture in the past, but they're the underdogs today thanks to West Ham's upturn in fortunes. The Hammers started the season off at a sluggish pace before bursting into gear last month. One of their recent wins was a 2-1 triumph at home to champions Manchester City - a result that boosted everyone associated with the club. Upton Park is proving to be a tough place to visit this term.

UPDATE! Today's early kickoff in the Premier League has just finished at Anfield, where league leaders Chelsea have continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 win. Emre Can gave Liverpool the lead early on, but the visitors responded with goals from Gary Cahill and Diego Costa.

Liverpool could have overtaken West Ham in the table had they beaten Chelsea by a couple of goals, so that's a little bit of a boost for the Hammers before kickoff. A point for Sam Allardyce's side will move them into the top four.

Could the big striker have a say on the game today? He's yet to play this season due to a string of injury problems.

HEAD TO HEAD: It's been very even between these sides down the years, but West Ham sneak the head-to-head record with 37 wins compared to Villa's 34. There have also been 30 draws played out since they first came up against each other.

There's also been little to separate the teams in recent times. West Ham and Villa have two wins each in the past five meetings, while the other result was a draw. This fixture last season was a 0-0 draw, though the Hammers won the reverse meeting at Villa Park 2-0. Kevin Nolan, who is on the bench this afternoon, scored twice that day.

Not long to go now as the two sets of players start to emerge in the tunnel. As you might imagine, Upton Park is close to a full house this afternoon as the home supporters hope to see their team move back into the Champions League places. Meanwhile, the pocket of Villa fans are desperate to see their side end their poisonous run and edge away from the drop zone.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be hosts West Ham to kick us off. Here we go!

It's been a very scrappy start to the game, with both teams struggling to keep hold of possession. We've already seen a couple of tasty challenges during the early stages. That's something that could benefit West Ham if the game is a physical one.

The Hammers have now taken a bit of control, passing the ball around nicely and trying to stretch Villa in wide positions. The visitors are having to stay focused at the back as the hosts build up some pressure. Still no clear-cut chances though.

Something of a half-chance for Villa as a free kick into the box causes a bit of confusion, but the move ends when Vlaar's tame effort from the edge of the penalty area is easily gathered by Adrian. The Dutchman scuffed his shot there, making it very easy indeed for the West Ham shotstopper.

CHANCE! Big opening for Villa as Agbonlahor runs at the West Ham defence before lashing a left-footed drive over the crossbar. The opportunity was at a difficult angle, but he should have probably at least worked Adrian there. West Ham then go up the other end and win a corner that is put right on the head of Collins, only for Guzan to keep the effort out. Quick-fire action at both ends.

CHANCE! West Ham turn up the pressure as a melee in the Villa box sees Noble hit a fierce drive towards goal, but Guzan is there to push it away. The Villa defence is needing to stand firm at the moment.

A moment of real worry for West Ham there as Reid's pass to Adrian has way too much power on it and nearly finds a way past Adrian and into the net. However, the goalkeeper manages to get it under control before clearing. West Ham are still on top, but Villa are being given the chance to attack their opponents.

It's worth saying that Downing is getting a right earful from the Villa fans when he takes a corner from the right. The travelling supporters clearly still harbour strong feelings about his move from Villa Park to Liverpool in 2011. Which obviously makes complete sense...

Not the best ball into the box from Lowton, but Weimann does well to hook his foot around the ball and force a save from Adrian. West Ham then go up the other end straight away, with Downing's fizzing drive being pushed away by Guzan.

This has been a strange game so far in that it suddenly comes to life every five minutes or so after a lull. West Ham are still looking the more dangerous right now, though Villa have been potent on the break a couple of times. The Villans have also been solid at the back, blocking and kicking plenty that has come at them.

West Ham are taking a more patient approach now, knocking the ball around calmly in midfield and trying to probe their way through the Villa defence. It's a testament to how they've changed their style of football this season that they're confident enough to play more slickly in key areas.

Sakho and Valencia have performed decently enough for West Ham so far, but they haven't posed any serious threat to the Villa defence. The pair were an absolute nightmare for Man City during the Hammers' recent win over the champions. However, they've yet to reach those heights this afternoon.

Charles N'Zogbia gets a talking to from referee Jon Moss following a late challenge on Downing. The winger is lucky to get away with a booking there because that was badly timed.

SAVE! Villa nearly make the breakthrough as Weimann unleashes a powerful drive from inside the box, but Adrian punches it away. Despite not having too much of the ball this afternoon, that was a decent move from the visitors. They cut West Ham open there.

Villa win a free kick in a good position on the edge of the box after Agbonlahor is brought down by Song. N'Zogbia steps up to take the resulting set piece, only to blast it straight at the wall before West Ham clear. The Villans are showing one or two signs of life as we approach half time. Meanwhile, the West Ham fans are beginning to get a little bit frustrated with their side's inability to create clear chances. That's what expectation does.

Just the one minute of added time at the end of the first half...

West Ham carve open a good chance right at the end there, but Downing fires high and wide following an incisive passing move. The half-time whistle goes shortly after that, bringing an end to a goalless opening 45 minutes at Upton Park. West Ham have been the better team so far, though Villa have had their opportunities at the other end.

Sam Allardyce is likely to be the happier of the two managers so far, but he is sure to be drilling it into his players how important it is to take their chances. The longer Villa remain in this game, the more the Upton Park crowd will become restless and agitated.

Paul Lambert and Roy Keane didn't always look best pleased in the dugout during that first half, but they'll know that Villa are still very much in this match. They've created one or two good opportunities so far, but some questionable finishing has been the difference between them finding the net and not.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be Aston Villa to get us back underway. No changes from either manager at the break.

CHANCE! Villa nearly take the lead just seconds into the second half through Cleverley, but the midfielder's shot from about 20 yards goes narrowly over the crossbar.

Now it's the home side who threaten as Reid leaps highest from a corner to head wide. Baker looks to be struggling for Villa. Senderos is warming up on the touchline. Meanwhile, the rain is coming down fairly hard in East London.

It was a scrappy start to the second half, but West Ham are beginning to stamp their authority on the game. They win their 10th corner thanks to the work of Sakho, only for Vlaar to head the set piece away from danger. The Dutchman has been impressive at the back this afternoon, leading Villa's defence against a slippery West Ham attack.

The Hammers are really making life difficult for Villa now. They're peppering the opposition box with crosses, but the visitors are still standing firm. One cross from Jenkinson looks to be heading straight to Sakho, only for Baker to clear with an outstretched leg.

We're starting to see one or two gaps open up around the pitch now as this game gets a bit more stretched. West Ham are committing more men forward in search of the first goal, while Villa are still setting themselves up to hit the Hammers on the break. We're still yet to see a goal, but it feels as if one is close.

Sanchez, who has toiled away in midfield this afternoon, tries his luck from about 25 yards but Adrian get behind it to keep it out. Meanwhile it looks as if Kevin Nolan might be brought off the bench shortly for West Ham.

WEST HAM SUB: Here is that change for the Hammers as Nolan enters the action in place of Kouyate. Just under 25 minutes remaining at Upton Park.

YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the game goes to Cleverley, who is cautioned for a cynical trip on Sakho. Weimann then gets himself unnecessarily booked for dissent. Silly boy.

This game has turned into a gloriously scrappy affair now. There are gaps appearing all over the pitch, making for an end-to-end encounter. A Villa corner causes a few problems inside the West Ham box before Agbonlahor's header is saved a point-blank range by Adrian, but the flag was up for offside.

WEST HAM SUB: Another West Ham change now as Carlton Cole replaces Enner Valencia, who has been largely ineffective today.

CHANCE! What an opening for the hosts! A break upfield sees Cole receive the ball out on the right before floating in a wonderful cross for Sakho. The striker is practically unmarked in the middle, but his header goes over. Was that the chance that the Hammers were waiting for?

Yet again Sakho is given too much room inside the box as he meets Downing's cross from the left. However, the striker nods over once more. West Ham are really pushing for a winning goal here, while Aston Villa are holding on for dear life. It's going to be a long final 10 minutes for Paul Lambert's side.

West Ham are spending plenty of time in the Villa half at the moment as we head towards the final five minutes of normal time. The Hammers win a free kick deep in opposition territory that Noble floats into the dangerzone, only for Guzan to come off his line and collect the ball. Sam Allardyce can't fault the effort of his players this afternoon. They're trying everything to make the breakthrough.

ASTON VILLA SUB: The visitors make a change now as Senderos replaces Baker, who has been struggling with an injury for most of the second half.

YELLOW CARD! Agbonlahor goes into the book after bundling into Reid from behind. West Ham then go up the other end as Downing puts a cross into the box, but Jenkinson's header is straight at Guzan.

We will have FOUR MINUTES of added time...

WEST HAM SUB: Here he comes! Andy Carroll enters the action to make his first appearance of the season, replacing Noble. Is this match set up for the big man to score the winner? Meanwhile, Ciaran Clark replaces N'Zogbia for Villa.

SAVE! Carroll nearly get the winner for West Ham with a typically-towering header, but Guzan somehow gets a hand to palm it away. West Ham are throwing everything they can at Villa.

Carroll has another effort saved by Guzan at the death, but that's the last of it as referee Jon Moss blows the full-time whistle. The game ends goalless, though that doesn't tell the half of it. There were plenty of chances at both ends, with West Ham in particular pushing hard for a breakthrough during the final few minutes. West Ham will feel as if they should have won, while Villa will be pleased and relieved with a share of the spoils.

That's all from our live text coverage of today's match but don't forget that you can keep up to date with reaction from both camps here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again very soon. Goodbye!