West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed he will fight on despite having doubts over whether he can save the Hammers (3/1 to be relegated) from the drop this season.

The Italian finds himself under increasing pressure following the news that potential new owner Massimo Cellini will more than likely replace him as manager if his £100million takeover bid is successful.

Zola’s men have found it tough going this season and sit inside the relegation zone going into a difficult match away at Aston Villa (7/4 to be the outright winners of the Carling Cup) on Sunday.

The Hammers have won one of their last six and could be missing as many as ten first team players as their injury crisis deepens.

With West Ham (Hammers 6/1 draw 11/4 Villa 8/15 – match betting) unable to bring in any players until a takeover goes through they may struggle to fill the bench at Villa Park this weekend.

Zola has admitted for the first time that he does have doubts over whether he can save the Hammers from the drop but says he will battle on until the end no matter what.

“I am going to fight,” said Zola. “It is normal that when things are not going in the right direction you doubt what you are doing

“In this job, there are so many things that you need to look after and be good at. Sometimes I have doubted the tactical side, sometimes the psychology.”