Parker set for Hammers return against Villa

Scott Parker is set to return for West Ham against Aston Villa in Wednesday’s Premier League match after serving a one-game ban.

The Hammers captain is expected to be back in a midfield that will definitely be without Radoslav Kovac, suspended after being sent-off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has no fresh injury worries but the Italian remains without Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee).

The London club have not won in the Premier League since the opening day of the season, when they beat Wolves, and a heavy defeat on Wednesday could send them below current basement side Portsmouth at the foot of the table.

“We are going to give the fans our first home win (in the league this season),” said Hammers assistant manager Steve Clarke on Tuesday.

“We are gong to give them the win they want. They have a good memory of the finish of the Arsenal game where we finished strongly (to draw 2-2 from 2-0 down).

“They are going to take us into those two matches and they are going to push us to the win that we need. It’s important we get a win sooner rather than later so tomorrow (Wednesday) night is a terrific chance for us.”