Hull chief Dowie out to keep Hammers under cosh

The Tigers go into the rearranged meeting with Martin O'Neill's side at the KC Stadium three points adrift of safety in the Premier League.

West Ham United are the side directly above City and the Londoners' hugely superior goal difference means even a win will not be enough to lift the Yorkshire club out of the drop zone.

However, with the Hammers due to host fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic at Upton Park on Saturday, Dowie believes beating Villa will pile the pressure on his former club.

The Tigers manager said: "This week has got to bring a win, we are at that stage of the season.

"It would give us the chance to put the pressure on West Ham. I know what it is like to play under pressure there and it is not easy. But we can't worry about West Ham or Wigan, or Wolves or Bolton. We have to focus on ourselves. Three points against Villa would change the whole picture."

The visit of Villa, which had to be postponed on February 27 due to O'Neill's side being involved in the Carling Cup final, is the first of two back-to-back home games with Sunderland due in the East Riding this weekend.

Dowie added: "I think the supporters have a great deal of belief in the players already but you can imagine what Saturday would be like if we were able to get a win under our belts."

Goalkeeper Matt Duke and midfield man Tom Cairney are likely to remain in the side after being recalled for the goalless draw at Birmingham City last weekend.

City, who played one man up front throughout the game, were criticised in some quarters for a negative approach, but Dowie insisted: "Playing two up front is fine if the pair are scoring but we have got nine goals from strikers all year.

"People have a thing in this country that you have to play 4-4-2. If England go to the World Cup and play 4-4-2 against Spain's 4-2-3-1, you will never see the ball. Systems are only as good as the people you have in them."