Aston Villa welcome Swansea to Villa Park on Saturday, without the pressure of searching for their first point under Paul Lambert.
The Scot eased the pressure by picking up a 1-1 draw at Newcastle last time out, having previously endured poor defeats to West Ham (1-0) and a 3-1 home drubbing to Everton.
The result at the Sports Direct Arena has brightened the mood at Villa Park, and given the fans optimism due to the fact the result halted a run of three consecutive defeats on Tyneside, including a 6-0 drubbing in August 2010.
Lambert’s surprise decision to drop Shay Given for Brad Guzan proved to be a masterstroke, with the American making a string of stunning saves.
He is expected to keep his place between the sticks for the visit of Swansea.
Villa have no new injury concerns, but remain without Marc Albrighton and defender Richard Dunne, who are both still a couple of weeks off making their first appearances of the season.
Swansea arrive at Villa Park in superb form, currently sitting second in the table with seven points out of a possible nine.
Michael Laudrup’s side have been in fine form in front of goal, hammering QPR 5-0 on the opening day, then West Ham 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium before playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Sunderland last time out.
Laudrup will be without full back Neil Taylor for the remainder of the season following the broken ankle he sustained in that game, whilst Chico Flores begins his three game ban for the the dismissal he received against Martin O’Neil’s side.
Swansea drew 0-0 with Villa at the Liberty last season, before picking up a 2-0 win at Villa Park earlier in the year.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Swansea City
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