Preview: Burnley vs. Aston Villa

Improving Burnley will go above out-of-form Aston Villa in the Premier League with victory on Saturday.

The Clarets took 11 games to register their first win since promotion, but have now strung consecutive victories together to climb off the bottom of the table.

Danny Ings took his season's account to three with a double at the Britannia Stadium as Sean Dyche's side followed up their success at Hull City with a 2-1 triumph at Stoke City last weekend.

The other half of last year's most potent Championship strike force is nearing a return, with Sam Vokes having scored on his first appearance for eight months during an outing for the reserves in midweek.

However, the Welshman is not expected to be back in first-team contention until closer to the festive fixtures, with Dyche wary of rushing him back to partner Ings following his serious knee problem.

Villa won their first three games of the campaign, but have been dragged back towards the relegation places by an eight-game winless run in which they have lost six times and netted only twice.

They are only three places and two points above the Lancashire outfit in the top-flight standings, and travel to Turf Moor without as many as five of their most senior and influential players.

Talisman Christian Benteke remains suspended, England midfielder Fabian Delph is a long-term absentee, while defenders Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker are all out through injury.

Therefore, Paul Lambert may stick with the same XI which earned a second straight draw by holding high-flying Southampton 1-1 at Villa Park, with Gabriel Agbonlahor spearheading the attack centrally.

Jores Okore and Carlos Sanchez have had few opportunities since joining the Villans over the last two summers, but are poised to start again having performed well against the Saints on Monday.

Burnley's starting XI has been one of the most consistent this campaign, but they are likely to be without one of their defensive mainstays this weekend as 36-year-old Michael Duff nurses a knock.

Manchester United loanee Michael Keane is on standby to make his first Premier League start for the club, while Michael Kightly should maintain his place on the right wing ahead of Scott Arfield.

VIlla have not lost to Burnley in the league since 1972, but have twice in cup competitions since then.

Burnley:

Recent form: DLLLWW

Possible starting lineup: Heaton; Tripper, Keane, Shackell, Ward; Kightly, Marney, Jones, Boyd; Barnes, Ings

Villa:

Recent form: LLLLDD

Possible starting lineup: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho; Cleverly, Westwood, Sanchez; N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor

Sports Mole says: 0-1