Aston Villa will be looking to halt their dramatic slide in form when they face relegation-threatened Crystal Palace at Villa Park on Boxing Day.

Paul Lambert's men have lost their last three games in the Premier League, including disappointing defeats to Fulham and Stoke City as well as a heavy 3-0 loss at home to Manchester United.

That run has seen Villa slide down to 13th in the table, just six points clear of the relegation zone as we approach the halfway stage of the season.

The Midlands club have only scored in one of their last five matches at Villa Park, picking up just four points from the 15 available in that time.

They will be without striker Christian Benteke due to a knee injury, while Ashley Westwood is suspended for the game after picking up five yellow cards and Ron Vlaar is a major doubt.

Lambert does, however, welcome back Gabriel Agbonlahor from suspension as he looks to guide Villa to just their second Boxing Day win in the last 13 years.

Crystal Palace's fortunes have improved slightly since the arrival of Tony Pulis, who could see his side move out of the bottom three with a win on Thursday.

However, they have only won one of their nine matches on their travels in all competitions this season, losing the other eight and scoring just five goals.

If they are to end their two-match losing streak then they will have to do it without Marouane Chamakh, who is suspended for the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Newcastle.

Jerome Thomas, Adlene Guedioura, Jack Hunt, Glenn Murray and Paddy McCarthy are all expected to miss out through injury, but Stuart O'Keefe and Kagisho Dikgacoi could both return if they pass late fitness tests.

Recent form

Aston Villa: DDWLLL

Crystal Palace: WLWWLL

Possible starting lineups

Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna; Albrighton, El Ahmadi, Delph, Weimann, Kozak, Agbonlahor

Crystal Palace: Speroni; Parr, Gabbidon, Delaney, Ward; Bolasie, Ward, Jedinak, Puncheon; Bannan; Jerome

Sports Mole says: 2-1