On january 2012
Villa boss Alex McLeish has vowed to do everything in his power to ensure captain Stiliyan Petrov is fit: he limped off after scoring in Saturday's shock 3-1 win at Chelsea. Darren Bent could start after netting on his return from injury as a substitute at Stamford Bridge, while fellow forward Emile Heskey may be on the bench having shaken off an Achilles problem.
MANAGER QUOTES
Alex McLeish: "It's my most satisfying day so far, but I'm hoping there are many more to come. I'm a guy who perseveres, who gets back up after being knocked down pretty regularly. The players can enjoy this - I don't mean going out on the town, but in terms of confidence levels."
MATCH FACTS
Swansea have visited Villa Park on seven occasions and suffered seven defeats without netting a single goal.
Aston Villa have won just four of their last 12 Premier League home games (W4 D4 L4), losing four of their last five and the last three in a row.
Swansea have the worst away record in the Premier League with just three points from nine games.
Villa have conceded as many goals (9) in their last five home matches as they had in the previous 13 combined.
Swansea have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League away games.
Villa are unbeaten in their first league game of the New Year since 2001 (W6 D4).
The Swans are unbeaten in their first game of the New Year in the last six seasons (W4 D2), conceding just one goal in the process.
Marc Albrighton’s goal against Arsenal was the first time in the PL this season that Villa had scored a goal at home that wasn’t scored or assisted by Bent or Agbonlahor.
Aston Villa have conceded nine goals from corners, more than any other team in the Premier League.
Villa have failed to score in five of their last eight Premier League games, while Swansea have failed to score in more games than any other team in the top flight (9).
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