West Ham recovered from what looked likely to be a disappointing result at Stoke to knick a point and have a full quota of attacking options available ahead of the visit of Villa this weekend.
With Benteke now sidelined again Paul Lambert could be tempted to match the 4-3-1-2 system that has worked so well for his opposite number this weekend, but they are lacking quality in the absence of their lead striker and Fabian Delph.
The hosts will be favourites here and Diafra Sakho will hope to mark his return with yet another goal against a Villa side prone to lapses of concentration and ill-discipline at the back..