West Ham-Aston Villa is a match valid for the twenty-seventh day of the Premier League and is played on Sunday at 15:00: TV, formations, predictions.
West Ham’s Conference League win over Aek Larnaca of Cyprus should certainly be interpreted as a good sign after the two consecutive ugly defeats against Manchester United in the FA Cup and Brighton in the league, which made the situation even more worrying for the Hammers.
In the international arena, the Londoners remain almost unbeatable – so far they have only and exclusively picked up victories in the continent’s third continental event, between the group stage and the knockout phase – but now it is time to pull themselves out of trouble in the Premier League. Where, following the latest results, the risk of relegation is far from averted. West Ham are currently third-last: they have just been overtaken by Bournemouth, who surprisingly won against Liverpool, and also by Everton, who won against Brentford. It is true that no one can say they are comfortable from 12th place down – nine teams are within six points – but a certain tension has been building among the fans for a few weeks now. David Moyes, although not without criticism, has the trust of the club and is convinced that his team can only improve in this final season. However, time is starting to run out.
West Ham have never lost at home in 2023
The Scottish coach is banking on the home factor – they haven’t lost at home in 2023 – to get back on the scoresheet and turn the page after the humiliation at Brighton.
Emery
On the other hand, there is an Aston Villa side that is stable in mid-table and trying to see if there are margins to get into the fight for a place in Europe. Unai Emery’s side are in excellent form, having beaten both Everton and Crystal Palace in the last two league games, without conceding a goal on either occasion. The Spanish coach’s impact is beginning to be seen: since his arrival the Villans have won seven out of twelve Premier League games and won 22 points from 36 available.
The Prediction
The Hammers have more motivation than the Villans and should be able to avoid defeat in a match that matters almost exclusively to them. Emery’s side usually concede a lot of goals, and the fact that they have kept their goals unbeaten for the last 180 minutes is a complete fluke. Both are likely to score.
The West Ham v Aston Villa line-up in the unlikely event
- WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Johnson, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Emerson Palmieri; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Ings.
- ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Douglas Luiz, McGinn; Bailey, Buendia, Ramsey; Watkins.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
