West Ham vs Aston Villa Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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It is the derby of the claret and blue on the opening day of the season this weekend as a new look West Ham United begin life under Julen Lopetegui up against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 17th August, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC & Universo
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo, Sling Blue & DirecTV Stream
WEST HAM PREVIEW: HAMMERS WELCOME THE VILLAINS
In the first post-David Moyes summer at West Ham United, the Irons, with Sporting Director Tim Steidten leading their transfer business, have cultivated a deep squad at the London Stadium that will be expected to challenge for the European places, especially with the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen remaining.
The Hammers have brought in Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham, Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for over £100 million in what has been an exceptionally busy and productive, quietly impressive summer transfer window.
ASTON VILLA PREVIEW: OPENING DAY IN THE CAPITAL
One of the other big spenders of the Premier League this summer are the Irons’ upcoming opponents, Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side have spent around £150 million this summer, albeit they are having to deal with the departures of both Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby to Juventus and Al Ittihad respectively.
The Villains have made some very intriguing acquisitions, though, and the arrival of Amadou Onana from Everton means their ‘box midfield’ of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Onana is one well worth keeping an eye on throughout the campaign as they look to replicate their fourth place finish from last season.
WEST HAM TEAM NEWS: ISSUES IN THE SPINE
Julen Lopetegui has confirmed that West Ham United are only missing one player through injury with that being Mexican international Edson Alvarez, who picked up an injury at the recent CONMEBOL Copa America this summer.
As well as the former Ajax midfielder, West Ham are also expected to be without defender Kurt Zouma with Julen Lopetegui suggesting the Frenchman is in the process of sorting out his future.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soucek; Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug
UNAVAILABLE: Edson Alvarez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS: ROGERS MAY GET THE NOD
In his pre-match press conference ahead of their trip to the capital, Unai Emery confirmed that Tyrone Mings has not yet trained with the Villains but the England international will hopefully return in the early part of September.
He has also suggested that former Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers may start tomorrow after an impressive start to his Villa career since joining the club in the January transfer window.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans, Onana, Rogers; Watkins, Bailey
UNAVAILABLE: Mings (Injured), Kamara (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Olsen (Injured)
WEST HAM VS ASTON VILLA PREDICTION
The weird and unpredictable thing about this opening day contest is that, at heart, both Julen Lopetegui and Unai Emery would prefer pragmatic control at all times in their matches but that may not be possible for this opener. The hosts will want to begin their new era with a bang, whilst the visitors have a lot of players and tactical tweaks to implement and perfect. That means a game in which both teams scoring may well be a good bet for this one.
WEST HAM VS ASTON VILLA TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
