Aston Villa-West Ham is a match of the ninth day of the Premier League and is played on Sunday at 17:30: TV, probable formations, predictions.
Two teams with one goal in common: to wear the role of “spoilers.” Aston Villa and West Ham have been studying as big boys for a while now: the Villans have just regained Europe, for now it is “only” the Conference League but we would not be surprised if very soon they manage to raise the infamous bar, perhaps already this season, after enlisting to one of the most appreciated coaches as Unai Emery.
The Hammers, on the other hand, have been frequenting Europe for a couple of years, and last June they won the Conference League itself, beating Fiorentina in the final and returning to lift an international trophy after decades. Sure, they did not do well in the league last season, finishing in the right side of the standings, but the Conference triumph overshadowed everything. This time West Ham’s was not a false start: despite a mixed performance (4 wins, 2 losses and as many draws) David Moyes’ men are momentarily seventh, two points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa. On the last day they stopped Newcastle (2-2), extending the positive streak that has been going on for four games.
The Villans, on the other hand, have not lost in three matches: after two wins with Brighton and Zrinjski Mostar came a draw with Wolverhampton (1-1).
West Ham players
Emery’s team is dealing with the “side effects” of the double commitment and it is normal that some points on the road sooner or later will be lost with such a tight schedule. The Spanish coach will recover neither Ramsey nor Moreno, while Zaniolo will start despite being implicated in the betting scandal. Moyes faces no major defections: the only absences in West Ham are those of Johnson and Cresswell.
The Prediction
Aston Villa at home is a judgement: in front of their home crowd they have won interruptedly for 10 matches in a row. For West Ham, it won’t be an easy afternoon
The likely lineups for Aston Villa-West Ham
- ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Kamara, Zaniolo; Diaby, Watkins.
- WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson Palmieri; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Antonio.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
