MATCH PREVIEW: Swans v Aston Villa
19th March
Swansea City will be aiming to pull further clear of danger when they face Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).
The Swans welcome bottom-of-the-table Villa to SA1 as they look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat against Bournemouth.
Victory would see Francesco Guidolin's men move 11 points clear of danger with seven games to go, while Villa are in desperate need of points in their battle for survival.
Remi Garde's side have suffered five straight defeats in the league and have won just three matches all season, while Swansea have a fine recent record against Saturday's opponents - losing just once in their last nine meetings in the Premier League.
WHAT THEY SAID
Swans head coach Francesco Guidolin: "It will not be easy. I know this situation because I have many matches behind me and know how difficult a match like this is.
"My team has to play well with concentration and intensity, as if it is a final."
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: "I am not stupid. It's an impossible mission that we have to make possible. You never know in football.
"I still believe. I have said that since the first day. I am focused on saving the club from relegation."
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Aston Villa 1-2 Swansea (October 2015)
Aston Villa 0-1 Swansea (March 2015)
Swansea 1-0 Aston Villa (December 2014)
Swansea 4-1 Aston Villa (April 2014)
Aston Villa 1-1 Swansea (December 2013)
PRE-MATCH STATS
- The Swans are unbeaten in their last six Barclays Premier League games against Aston Villa (W4 D2), winning the last four in a row
- Aston Villa have picked up just three points from the last 42 available on the road in the Premier League (W0 D3 L11)
- Meanwhile, Villa haven't won away from home in the Premier League when the opposition has scored since beating Southampton 3-2 in December 2013
- Sergio Aguero (9) and Harry Kane (8) are the only players to have scored more Premier League goals in 2016 than Gylfi Sigurdsson (7)
You can follow all the action from the Liberty Stadium on Twitter @SwansOfficial, on Facebook and through the official website.
