Team News: Alan Pardew has a virtually fully-fit
squad to select from, with Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Etherington
both recovered from minor injuries that forced them to miss last
week's Premiership clashes against Manchester City and
Middlesbrough.
Danny Gabbidon is also expected to be fit after limping off with a groin strain at the Riverside Stadium last Monday, while Jimmy Walker and Shaka Hislop are both vying for the number one spot between the sticks.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have Gareth Southgate battling against injury, while Mark Viduka is also struggling to be fit in time.
Semi-final statistics: This is West Ham United's first appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals since 1991, a game that also took place at Villa Park, when Nottingham Forest ran out 4-0 winners after Tony Gale had been controversially red-carded by referee Keith Hackett in the first half.
Our previous two semi-finals also took place at Villa Park, in 1975 and 1980, and both ended in draws that forced replays - 0-0 against Ipswich Town in '75 and 1-1 against Everton five years later. On both occasions, Hammers went on to win the trophy, but their will be no replay today should the tie finish level after 90 minutes - extra-time and penalties would follow.
Hammers v Boro: This is the second meeting between the two sides in the space of six days, following our 2-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium on Easter Monday, when goals from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Massimo Maccarone sealed victory for Boro.
The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Middlesbrough came in this competition, back in the 1911-12 season, although the two sides are meeting for just the third time in the FA Cup today.
After a 1-1 draw in that first-ever encounter 95 years ago, Hammers won the replay 2-1. Our most recent meeting in the competition came back in the 1969-70 season at Ayresome Park, when Middlesbrough ran out 2-1 winners.
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Betting: Click here to see all the latest odds on today's game from Bet24, West Ham United's official betting partner.
Danny Gabbidon is also expected to be fit after limping off with a groin strain at the Riverside Stadium last Monday, while Jimmy Walker and Shaka Hislop are both vying for the number one spot between the sticks.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have Gareth Southgate battling against injury, while Mark Viduka is also struggling to be fit in time.
Semi-final statistics: This is West Ham United's first appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals since 1991, a game that also took place at Villa Park, when Nottingham Forest ran out 4-0 winners after Tony Gale had been controversially red-carded by referee Keith Hackett in the first half.
Our previous two semi-finals also took place at Villa Park, in 1975 and 1980, and both ended in draws that forced replays - 0-0 against Ipswich Town in '75 and 1-1 against Everton five years later. On both occasions, Hammers went on to win the trophy, but their will be no replay today should the tie finish level after 90 minutes - extra-time and penalties would follow.
Hammers v Boro: This is the second meeting between the two sides in the space of six days, following our 2-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium on Easter Monday, when goals from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Massimo Maccarone sealed victory for Boro.
The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Middlesbrough came in this competition, back in the 1911-12 season, although the two sides are meeting for just the third time in the FA Cup today.
After a 1-1 draw in that first-ever encounter 95 years ago, Hammers won the replay 2-1. Our most recent meeting in the competition came back in the 1969-70 season at Ayresome Park, when Middlesbrough ran out 2-1 winners.
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Betting: Click here to see all the latest odds on today's game from Bet24, West Ham United's official betting partner.