Aston Villa Match Preview

Given the season they enjoyed in 2024/25, many would not have foreseen the struggles that Aston Villa had at the start of the new campaign, as they failed to win a single game until a 3-1 success at home to Fulham back on September 28. Unfortunately, for most other teams that have met the Midlanders since that time, they have gone from strength to strength ever since.

The Villans hadn’t beaten West Ham United in Stratford until a 2-1 victory on the opening day of last season so, the Hammers will be looking to get revenge for that reverse and put a dent in the impressive form of their latest opponents this afternoon.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s men lost their last game here and will be hoping that Unai Emery’s side are still recovering from their European trip to Switzerland just three days ago.

After a busy week prior to the game at Brighton and Hove Albion, the hosts have had a full week to plan how they will tackle their visitors, whereas Emery’s men had to deal with European matters before turning their full focus to the Irons.

Due to Brighton’s late equaliser last weekend, the East Londoners failed to jump out of the relegation zone, meaning a win is in order to atone for their last performance and result here against Liverpool and whilst this is also their final home game before Christmas, it will hopefully provide the home faithful with something to be proud of in what has so far been a difficult season.

In early November, it was noticeable that Espírito Santo had changed something which has coincided with an upturn in results, as the hosts have lost just one of their last six matches.

That defeat came against Arne Slot’s side on the day news broken that former West Ham fan favourite Billy Bonds had passed away.

Full tributes to the man who played an incredible 799 games for the club will take place just before the action gets underway.

Crysencio Summerville is hoping that he will have done enough in training to keep his place in the side after making his return to action against the Seagulls, while Callum Wilson will be looking to be involved from the start again and replace Guido Rodríguez after making an impact from the bench against Fabian Hürzeler’s men.

Igor Julio could join the Spanish defender amongst the substitutes after he was ineligible for the meeting against his parent club.

The match is a 2pm kick-off and for the fourth consecutive game, coverage will be screened by Sky Sports with build-up beginning at 12:30pm. The referee is Anthony Taylor.