This is a game between two sides with big aspirations this season after heavy investment in the squad during the summer. The Hammers will really fancy their chances of kicking on this season while Villa will want to maintain their status as a Champions League club.
22-year-old Morgan Rogers has been going from strength to strength in a Villa shirt and could be in line for a big campaign following his January move from Middlesbrough last season. Rogers picked up three goals in eight league starts last season and could be a good bet to get on the scoresheet this weekend after impressing during preseason.
The last two head-to-head meetings between these sides at this venue have ended in a 1-1 draw and with both sides coming into this game in fairly similar positions, we think they could cancel each other out once again. West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa.
West Ham vs Aston Villa - Predictions, Picks And Betting Odds
The Premier League is set to return this weekend, with West Ham United hosting Aston Villa in the Saturday evening kick-off.
Date: 08/17/2024
Kick-off time: 12:30 (ET)
Location: London Stadium, East London
West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League last season, a respectable outcome following their Europa Conference League triumph the year before. However, despite the relative success, there was a sense within the fanbase that the club had hit a plateau under the long-serving manager, David Moyes. The Hammers, while solid and competitive, seemed to lack the cutting edge needed to break into the upper echelons of the Premier League consistently. The decision to part ways with Moyes and bring in Julen Lopetegui marked a significant shift in the club’s approach.
Lopetegui’s arrival at West Ham is a statement of intent. The Spaniard’s CV is impressive, with stints at some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, including Porto, Real Madrid, and Sevilla, as well as the Spanish national team. Most recently, Lopetegui managed Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, where he showcased his ability to navigate the challenges of English football. His experience and tactical acumen are seen as the keys to unlocking West Ham’s potential and driving them towards European qualification once again.
The club’s activity in the transfer market this summer reflects their ambition. West Ham have made significant investments, particularly in defence, with the acquisitions of Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman, both of whom bring solidity and versatility to the backline. In midfield, the signing of Guido Rodríguez adds a much-needed balance of physicality and technical prowess, while the arrival of wingers Luis Guilherme and Crysencio Summerville injects pace and flair into the wide areas. Up front, Niclas Füllkrug has been brought in to bolster the attack, providing the type of threat associated with a traditonal target man.
Importantly, West Ham have managed to retain their key players, ensuring that Lopetegui has a strong core to build around. The squad now possesses depth in key areas, and the expectation is that they will challenge for a Europa League or Europa Conference League spot this season. The pressure on Lopetegui is considerable, but his track record suggests he is more than capable of meeting these expectations. The clash against Aston Villa will be his first real test, and how his side performs will be closely scrutinised by fans and pundits alike.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are coming off a remarkable season, having finished fourth in the Premier League. Under Unai Emery, Villa exceeded all expectations, securing a place in the Champions League for the first time in the modern era.
Emery’s impact at Villa Park has been transformative. The Spaniard, known for his meticulous preparation and tactical flexibility, has moulded a team that is not only resilient but also capable of playing expansive, attacking football. Last season, Villa found a balance between solidity at the back and creativity in the final third, with key players stepping up in crucial moments. However, with success comes the challenge of maintaining that level, especially with the added burden of European competition.
To solidify their position, Villa have been active in the transfer market, bringing in reinforcements across the pitch. The signing of Ian Matsen at left-back adds depth and competition in defence, while the midfield has been bolstered by the arrivals of Amadou Onana, Enzo Barrenechea, and Ross Barkley. These additions bring a blend of youth, energy, and experience, giving Emery more options to rotate and manage his squad effectively throughout the season.
In attack, the acquisitions of wingers Jaden Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior provide additional width and unpredictability, while the signing of Cameron Archer offers another attacking threat, particularly in the absence of the departed Moussa Diaby. Diaby’s move to Al-Ittihad, along with Douglas Luiz’s transfer to Juventus, are losses that Villa will need to manage, but the club’s recruitment strategy suggests they are well-equipped to cope.
Maintaining a top-four finish will be a significant challenge for Villa, especially with the increased competition at the top end of the Premier League. Clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur will be eager to reclaim their spots in the Champions League, making Villa’s task even more daunting. However, with Emery at the helm and a squad strengthened by astute signings, Villa are in a strong position to compete once again.
Where To Watch West Ham vs Aston Villa
Premier League matches can be watched on Peacock, NBCSN, NBC and the NBC sports app.
Team News
West Ham Team News:
As far as new signings go, Max Kilman and midfielder Guido Rodríguez look the likeliest to start, with Jean-Clair Todibo not having taken part in preseason for the Hammers.
Edson Álvarez has only recently returned to training following an injury at the Copa América with Mexico this summer, so he's very unlikely to start as he works his way back to full fitness.
Konstantinos Mavropanos will battle it out with Nayef Aguerd to start alongside Kilman at centre-back.
Unai Emery's men will likely be without last season's top scorer Ollie Watkins as he is yet to take part in preseason after his involvement in the Euros with England.
Jacob Ramsey is back fit again after missing much of last season with injury and could start here, while new signing Amadou Onana is almost certain to be in the XI.
The Hammers had a fairly torrid end to last season as they won just one of their final five fixtures. Managed by David Moyes at the time, West Ham were battered 5-2 away at Crystal Palace before drawing 2-2 at home to Liverpool, losing 5-0 away at Chelsea, beating Luton Town 3-1 and losing 3-1 away to Manchester City on the final day of the campaign.
The Hammers haven't had a great preseason in terms of results either, with Julen Lopetegui's side beating Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0, drawing 2-2 with Ferencváros and Celta Vigo and losing 2-1 to both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace.
Like their opponents, Villa also had a tough end to last season as they picked up only one win from their final five matches. Unai Emery's side beat Bournemouth 3-1, drew 2-2 to Chelsea, lost 1-0 away at Brighton & Hove Albion, drew 3-3 at home to Liverpool and lost 5-0 away at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
Villa's preseason hasn't produced many positive results, with the side losing to Columbus Crew (4-1), RB Leipzig (2-0), América (2-0) and Borussia Dortmund (2-0), while recording wins over Walsall (3-0) and Athletic Bilbao (3-2).
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