Aston Villa vs West Ham: Preview, Predictions & Lineups

Fixture: Aston Villa vs West Ham United

Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 23

Date: Sunday, 26 January 2025

Kick-Off: 18:15 GMT

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

Aston Villa welcome West Ham United to Villa Park in a clash of two teams looking to solidify their Premier League campaigns. Villa aim to maintain their push for European places, while West Ham, under new manager Graham Potter, are searching for consistency and stability.

Form: DWLWW

• 18 Jan: 2-2 draw vs Arsenal (A)
• 15 Jan: 1-0 win vs Everton (A)
• 4 Jan: 2-1 win vs Leicester (H)
• 30 Dec: 2-2 draw vs Brighton (H)
• 26 Dec: 0-3 loss vs Newcastle (A)

Villa are showing a resurgence, spearheaded by Ollie Watkins' attacking prowess and a solid defensive base.

Form: WLWLW

• 18 Jan: 0-2 loss vs Crystal Palace (H)
• 14 Jan: 3-2 win vs Fulham (H)
• 4 Jan: 1-4 loss vs Man City (A)
• 29 Dec: 0-5 loss vs Liverpool (H)
• 26 Dec: 1-0 win vs Southampton (A)

The Hammers are inconsistent but have shown glimpses of improvement due to Potter's tactical tweaks.

• Pau Torres: Ruled out with a foot injury
• Diego Carlos: Ruled out due to a foot injury
• Ross Barkley: Ruled out due to a calf injury
• John McGinn: Doubtful due to a hamstring issue.
  

• Jarrod Bowen: Sidelined with a thigh injury.
• Michail Antonio: Sidelined with a calf strain.
• Niclas Füllkrug: Ruled out with an ankle issue.
• Konstantinos Mavropanos: Ruled out through suspension
• Jean-Clair Todibo: Doubtful due to knock
• Crysencio Summerville: Doubtful due to a hamstring injury
  

• Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez (C)
• Defenders: Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash
• Midfielders: Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana
• Forwards: Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Jacob Ramsey
  

• Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski
• Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Edson Alvarez, Maximilian Kilman, Emerson
• Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Tomas Soucek
• Attackers:, Lucas Paquetá, Carlos Soler, Mohammed Kudus
• Forward: Danny Ings
  

Strengths:

• Quick transitions through wide players like Aaron Ramsey and Morgan Rogers.
• Ollie Watkins' ability to exploit space and finish clinically.

Weaknesses:

• Vulnerability to high-pressing sides when playing out from the back.
• Occasional lapses in concentration during defensive set-pieces
  

Strengths:

• Creative midfield anchored by Lucas Paquetá and Tomas Soucek.
• Resilience in grinding out results under Graham Potter.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of firepower up front with Bowen and Antonio sidelined.
• Struggles in maintaining defensive discipline against quick attacks.
  

• Ollie Watkins: The focal point of Villa's attack, capable of turning matches with his sharp movement and clinical finishing.
• Youri Tielemans: A midfield maestro who can dictate the pace and deliver crucial passes.
  

• Lucas Paquetá: A dynamic playmaker with an eye for defence-splitting passes.
• Mohammed Kudus: The Ghanaian attacker is a threat with his pace and ability to shoot from distance.
  

Villa’s strong home form and West Ham’s inconsistent displays suggest the hosts will dominate proceedings. Potter’s side will likely struggle without their key attacking players.

Predicted Scoreline: Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham United

• Result: Aston Villa to win – Villa’s recent form and home advantage tip the balance in their favour.
• Goals: Under 2.5 – West Ham’s attacking struggles may keep the scoreline modest.
• First Scorer: Ollie Watkins – The Villa forward is in scintillating form and will be keen to add to his tally.
  

• Villa’s Home Fortress: Aston Villa have not lost at Villa Park in their last eight matches across all competitions.
• Danny Ings’ Reunion: The former Villa striker faces his old club for the first time since his transfer to West Ham. 
• Watkins’ Record: Ollie Watkins has scored in three of his last four matches against West Ham.
  

The clash at Villa Park promises to showcase two contrasting styles as Villa look to assert dominance and West Ham seeks to rebuild momentum.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.