Olly Hammers Out Survival Warning

Skipper Olof Mellberg believes Villa have what it takes to banish any lingering threat of relegation at West Ham on Saturday ¡V if they maintain the improved form seen in the last three outings.

But the inspirational Swede today warned his team-mates that defeat against The Hammers would leave Villa far from Premiership safety.

Mellberg, who was as impressive as ever in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal said: ¡§These are the games that are important for us. The Arsenal game was obviously important as well, but this is a massive game.

¡§If we can win against West Ham, then we probably don¡¦t have to look down any more. If we lose, we¡¦re definitely down there, so it¡¦s a massive, massive game.

¡§We¡¦ve just got to keep playing the way we have played recently. I thought we played very, very well against Southampton ¡V it was probably our best game away from home.

¡§We also played well against Arsenal and Manchester United. So, despite not getting the points out of those games, we should be confident for this game.

¡§It¡¦s always frustrating when you play well and you don¡¦t win, but we have been playing well and that¡¦s what we have to take to West Ham.¡¨

Mellberg believes compatriot Marcus Allback could be Villa¡¦s secret weapon at Upton Park, insisting the striker is back to his best.

He added: ¡§Marcus played very well with the national team, scoring a couple of goals and he was also involved in our goal against Arsenal. He¡¦s on-fire.¡¨