Aston Villa Match Preview

West Ham United started 2025 with a top-flight defeat to last season’s Champions Manchester City at The Etihad Stadium and now, another big week starts with an all Premier League tie in the Emirates FA Cup against Aston Villa at Villa Park tonight.

After dispensing with the services of Head-Coach Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday, the hierarchy quickly turned to former Swansea City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea boss Graham Potter to succeed the Spaniard on a two-and-a-half year contract.

In most of David Moyes’ seasons during his second spell in charge of the Hammers, he never made it past round five. That being said, they were knocked out at this stage just over a year ago by Sky Bet Championship outfit Bristol City after a replay, following a 1-1 draw in Stratford. Potter will hope he can change the team’s fortunes and book a place in the next round.

Coincidently, Lopetegui started his reign in charge of West Ham with a home defeat to Unai Emery’s side so the new Head-Coach will certainly be hoping for a different outcome this time around.

The Villains are due to resume their UEFA Champions League campaign soon so the East Londoners may fancy their chances of making it an early exit for the hosts, as Emery’s team already have a congested fixture list.

In a change to the competition’s rules this campaign, there will be no replays, meaning that if tonight’s contest was to end all square, then extra-time and possibly penalties will take place to decide who progresses.

Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth have all faced the Irons on more than one occasion this season and this will be the second time that the Villains have done so with a Premier League meeting scheduled here for 25 January.

Emerson Palmieri was unavailable for the clash with the Citizens six days ago due to injury. However, it is yet unclear whether he will be involved here. Fellow defender Jean-Clair Todibo had to be substituted during that encounter with his own injury problem and he will also undergo a late fitness test.

Niclas Füllkrug is likely to earn another start upfront, while Captain Jarrod Bowen is still out with a broken foot.

Potter will have to decide which goalkeeper to select for this game, as Łukasz Fabiański could be in contention for the tie.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and live coverage will be screened by ITV with build-up beginning at 7:30pm. The referee is Tim Robinson.