The Premier League weekend concludes with a Monday Night Football this week as the two claret and blue sides clash when Aston Villa host West Ham United at Villa Park, with both sides looking to return from the international break with a win.
Villa won their last home game and know their form in front of their own fans will be crucial this season. West Ham haven’t lost since the opening day of the season so they’ll be quietly confident which should make for a good game.
Aston Villa
It has been a tough start to the season for Aston Villa. They have a win and three losses to their name in the first four matches. The win came against Everton, but you would have to say there are question marks over that form currently, although I’m sure many Villa fans will tell you that they would have got something out of the game against Crystal Palace last time out had it not been for one of the most horrendous refereeing calls you’ll see.
The main thing for Villa is that they have been competitive so far. They will know home matches are important, especially those against teams outside the top six, but they have their forward players delivering the goods which is always huge for newly promoted sides, so if they can tighten up a little defensively then there could be a good run in them. You would think Villa will get better as the season goes along, given the number of players they have that need to gel.
West Ham United
It was a punishing start to the season for West Ham United. Manchester City at home was a game they weren’t going to get a lot out of but in running into a rampant version of the champions, they were well beaten. That was the only loss on their record though, and they look to be improving by the game, with their own attacking stars coming to the boil nicely. There was cautious optimism around the Hammers at the start of the season and that might just be justified.
Two wins and two draws since that opening day means West Ham can move up to third in the Premier League table with a win here, and with Felipe Anderson and Sebastien Haller already hitting the ground running, there is every chance that while others flounder a little, they could remain in a lofty position. Much of that will come down to their defence but if that can stand tall who knows what West Ham can achieve.
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Team News
Aston Villa will be without new signing Trezeguet who is serving a suspension after his red card at Crystal Palace. Fellow summer addition Matt Targett is on the injured list with James Chester and they have been joined by Jonathan Kodjia.
The Hammers have reported no new injury problems which will be a relief to Manuel Pellegrini after being ravaged by them last season. Michail Antonio is his only significant absentee as he recovers from hamstring surgery.
Betting
I think this match will suit West Ham United and as a result I’m happy to take them on the draw no bet market. I expect Villa to take the game to the Hammers on their own ground, or at least I believe they will try to do that, and that should allow West Ham to counter at their leisure, which is very much how they want to play on the road under Pellegrini.
The concern for West Ham usually comes in the form of their defence but while Wesley has done ok in his time at Villa, I’m not sure he’s the kind of striker that West Ham will fail to deal with. Going the other way, Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and Sebastien Haller can cause all kinds of problems while the classy play of Manuel Lanzini can be a difference too. Declan Rice should be able to keep Jack Grealish quiet and if he does I fancy the Hammers to come out on top if there is a victor here.
Tips
PUSH – Back West Ham (0AH) to beat Aston Villa for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with Betfred
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