West Ham, facts, video and it's going to get better

Have you seen the League table recently? We're in a good place all things considered and victory tonight, against a West Ham side that are looking good, would be a good indication of how far we have come.

But West Ham are looking good, you read that right. And while I'm no fan of Moyes, I've watched a couple of games and they look a little like Everton did under him and that isn't a bad thing. They are also fifth in the table and while we would go ahead of them with three points tonight, fifth in the table is nothing to be sniffed at.

And we're just half way through the season and don't sides managed by Dean Smith get better in the second half of the season?

There is still a long way to go and a lot can happen but we're finding a rhythm and it's nice to watch. We've strengthened in January for what is, in my mind anyway, a purchase for next season, but there is also optimism that things could come good this season for him. Strange question; does anyone know much about him?

I'll be back later. Now back to work. See you on the other side.

Video of the day

Match facts from the BBC

Head-to-head

• This is the 100th top-flight fixture between Aston Villa and West Ham. The East London side have 34 wins to Villa's 33, with 32 draws.
• Aston Villa's only Premier League victory in the past nine meetings was 1-0 at home in May 2015 (D5, L3). They scored just four goals in those matches.
• However, West Ham have won only one of their 10 most recent Premier League visits to Villa Park, when Kevin Nolan scored both goals in February 2014.

Aston Villa

• Villa have won 10 matches at the halfway point of a top-flight season for the first time in 11 years.
• They have only twice had as many as 11 wins after 20 Premier League games: in 1998-99 and 2008-09.
• Dean Smith's side need just three more points to match last season's final total of 35.
• Aston Villa are vying to earn three consecutive Premier League home victories in the same season for the first time since a run of four between August and October 2007.
• They can equal the club Premier League record of four consecutive home clean sheets, last achieved in September-October 2001.
• Jack Grealish has been directly involved in 15 league goals in 19 appearances, scoring six times and providing nine assists. It's already his highest tally in a season.

West Ham United

• A win on Wednesday would give West Ham 38 points, their highest tally after 22 matches of a top-flight season since 1985-86.
• The Hammers can win three consecutive away league matches for the first time since December 2018.
• They have already equalled last season's total of 10 Premier League victories.
• An eighth Premier League clean sheet would be the most in a season by West Ham since 2017-18, when they kept 10.
• Manager David Moyes is unbeaten in nine Premier League matches against Aston Villa, winning four and drawing five since Everton's 1-0 defeat at Villa Park in August 2010.