Swansea and Aston Villa will meet for the first time in the Premier League on Sunday with the Welsh side desperate to bounce back with a win after surrendering their unbeaten home record last week.

The Swans were beaten by a single goal against Manchester United on Saturday and subsequently lost their first top flight game at the Liberty Stadium. Defeat knocked Brendan Rodgers' side down to 13th in the table although they could consider themselves unlucky after missing a few gilt edged chance against the Red Devils. Scott Sinclair squandered the best of the lost miscuing his volley from six-yards out despite being in acres of space and having the goal at his mercy. However the Swans shouldn't be discouraged by their defeat at the hands of the champions as they performed superbly displaying their slick passing game that has won them plenty of admirers this season. Their start to the season has surprised those who tipped them to be propping up the rest of the league and they go into the game against Villa with a real chance of moving back into the top ten. Their form at home as been the cornerstone of their success so far as have the performances from the likes of Michael Vorm, Ashley Williams, Nathan Dyer, Danny Graham and Sinclair who have all performed above expectations in the Premier League. A real test is coming in the form of a packed festive fixture list and a couple of injuries to key players could derail their hopes of achieving the revised supposition of finishing in mid-table. For now though the energy and confidence that is now being exuding from the Welsh side should see them continue to confound the critics with a positive result against Villa who they've beaten only three times in the last 17 meetings.

Alex McLeish's side have been indifferent during the campaign so far winning just two of the last 10 league games despite putting in a series of exciting displays. The Scot has tightened the Villans up at the back and got Gabriel Agbonlahor firing on all cylinders with the pact striker scoring five goals this season and earning himself an England call-up. His partnership with Darren Bent is key to the way Villa operate and they'll both need to be on top form to get the better of a stern Swansea defence and win away from home for the first time. The Midlanders have struggled on the road so far failing drawing four of their six games away from Villa Park and losing the other two and will need to start picking up victories on their travels if they are to maintain their top half position. They were brushed aside by Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Monday night and will need to improve on that insipid performance this week. A trip to Wales to the Swans isn't the ideal way to start but a win against a side who have performed strongly at home could prove to be the catalyst for an upturn in form. The key to winning this weekend will depend on whether Steven Warnock and Alan Hutton can cut out the treat of Swansea's pacy wingers Dyer and Sinclair as they will be tasked with supplying the prolific Graham. Should they cut out that threat then Villa will give themselves a good chance of coming away with points under their belt.

Swansea - 13th

Last Five

Lost 1-0 v Manchester United (H), Drew 0-0 v Liverpool (A), Won 3-1 v Bolton (H), Drew 2-2 v Wolves (A), Lost 3-1 v Norwich (A)

Potential Starting X11: 1. M. Vorm 22. R. Angel 2. A. Williams 16. G. Monk [C] 3. N. Taylor 27. M. Gower 24. J. Allen 7. L. Britton 12. N. Dyer* 11. S. Sinclair 10. D. Graham

Injury News: Rodgers has no new injuries worries and could have on-loan defender Steven Caulker back after his spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Key Player: Nathan Dyer

The winger has had a superb start to life in the Premier League combining his rapid pace and skill to great effect as part of Swansea's three pronged attack. Whilst the plaudits will be centred on Graham and Sinclair it's Dyer that has impressed the most with his work rate up and down the right wing assisting defender Angel Rangel proving invaluable. It's likely he'll be up against Warnock this weekend and will fancy his chances of getting the better of the left back.

Match Fact

This will be the first time Swansea have faced Aston Villa in the Premier League with their last meeting in Wales coming 28 years ago in a 2-1 victory at the Vetch Field on 2nd May 1983.