Leave a comment

Hammers starting eleven

West Ham v Aston Villa team sheet

1 Comment

West Ham have potential headache

West Ham United head into their Premier League clash against Aston Villa with a potential headache at left-back, as David Moyes faces a late fitness test on key defender Emerson Palmieri.

West Ham have potential headache

Winger Maxwel Cornet remains side lined with a hamstring injury and won’t be available for the Villa match. The Ivorian hasn’t featured since mid-February and is still in the recovery phase.

The bigger concern for Moyes lies with left-back Emerson Palmieri. The Italian full-back, a regular starter for the Hammers, picked up a groin strain in the first leg of their Europa League tie against Freiburg. His availability for the Villa clash hinges on a late fitness test.

While Moyes downplayed the severity of Emerson’s injury, the groin strain casts doubt on his ability to start against Villa. This presents a selection dilemma for the manager.

Cornet’s absence may not be a major blow due to his limited playing time this season. However, Emerson’s fitness is a bigger concern. He has been a vital part of the West Ham defence, starting most Premier League matches. His attacking contributions, showcased by his goal and assist against Brentford, add another dimension to the team’s play.

With Villa pushing for a Champions League spot, Moyes will be keen to have Emerson back in the starting lineup. His defensive solidity and attacking threat will be crucial against a strong opponent.

West Ham face a nervous wait on Emerson’s fitness. Depending on the outcome of the late test, Moyes will have to decide on the best approach for the crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Leave a comment

On-a-high Hammers ready for Villa

The Premier League returns with a solitary fixture this Sunday before the international break, as West Ham United welcome Aston Villa to the London Stadium. Both teams come into the match on a high after impressive European victories, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.

West Ham-London Stadium_stadium-Hammers are accused of being selfish

On-a-high Hammers ready for Villa

West Ham are brimming with confidence following their emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Freiburg in the Europa League, securing their place in the quarter-finals. This victory extends their unbeaten domestic run to three games, with a draw against Burnley keeping them firmly in the European qualification picture. Currently sitting seventh in the table, the Hammers are just a point behind Manchester United and will be looking to close the gap further.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side also enjoyed European success, overcoming Ajax 4-0 on aggregate in the Europa Conference League. However, their domestic form hasn’t quite matched their European exploits, as they were thrashed by Tottenham Hotspur in their last Premier League outing. This defeat leaves them vulnerable in the top-four race, with Tottenham hot on their heels.

The historical record between these two sides paints a contrasting picture. While Villa secured a comfortable 4-1 victory against West Ham in October, ending their 10-game winless streak against the Hammers, their last away win at the London Stadium came all the way back in 2011.

West Ham will be looking to capitalise on their strong home form, boasting only one defeat in their last 14 games at the London Stadium (excluding the 6-0 humiliation against Arsenal). Villa, on the other hand, are unbeaten away from home in all competitions this year, making for a potentially tight contest.

This match carries significant weight for both teams. West Ham are aiming to solidify their European position, while Villa desperately need a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. The outcome could significantly impact the top-four race and the battle for European qualification

1 Comment

CandH Exclusive: Board remains uncertain of Moyes future

 

Will owner David Sullivan offer Moyes a new deal as West Ham manager?

Exclusive: Board remains uncertain of Moyes future

West Ham‘s board has this morning revealed exclusively to Claret and Hugh that it remains entirely uncertain about handing David Moyes a new contract.

We wrote yesterday that it may be difficult for them to make a decision given the club’s present Premier League form position in Europe which has seen the squad make the last sixteen of the Europa Cup.

But having asked the question of our key insider it seems all bets are off for Moyes until the last  Premier League games – and possible those in the Europa – are concluded WRITES HUGHIE SOUTHON.

It of course denies the manager’ claims of a new deal were on the table  and confirms that the club may still be looking at possible contenders for a successor.

Even the 5-0 hammering of Freiburg has made no difference to the position of the board and it makes today’s game against Aston Villa at the London Stadium another critical one for the manager.

Our source said: “We might win the next games OR lose them so it remains very much all to play for.”

Leave a comment

Hammers match gets ditched

Hammers match vs Villa gets ditched

West Ham and Aston Villa are set to clash in a crucial Premier League encounter today, yet frustratingly, the match will not be televised.

Both teams are vying for European football next season while also pursuing success on the continent this campaign, making the game potentially appealing to broadcasters like Sky Sports or TNT.

West Ham secured a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals with an impressive 5-0 victory over Freiburg on Thursday night, while Villa also delivered a standout performance by eliminating Ajax from the Conference League.

don

Hammers match gets ditched

Hammers match gets ditched by TV so will fans be glued to their radios today?

As a result, today’s match at London Stadium, scheduled for a 2pm GMT kickoff, was rescheduled from Saturday to accommodate European commitments.

Originally planned during the 3pm blackout period, the match wasn’t chosen among the limited selection of league games broadcasted this weekend due to the FA Cup taking precedence.

Tottenham’s clash with Fulham last night was the sole Premier League fixture selected for live TV coverage in the UK, leaving West Ham vs Aston Villa out of the viewing lineup.

Fans will have to wait until the 2025-26 season for a change in regulations, when every non-3pm Saturday game will automatically be televised live.

The absence of a comprehensive broadcasting package for all matches seems outdated. The initial rationale behind restricted TV coverage was to protect stadium attendance. However, evidence suggests that televised matches do not necessarily deter fans from attending games in person.

Leave a comment

Hammers academy gets a huge boost

Academy gets a huge boost with Earthy appearance 

The cherry on the cake for Thursday evening’s epic victory against Freiburg was the introduction of George Earthy.

I have felt for some time now that the Academy was in desperate need of some form of encouragement. Not in terms of kind words or faint praise, but encouragement that there might be a pathway into the team. It’s crucially important for the academy to know that the manager is aware of the young players who are on the books.

Academy gets a huge boost with the debut of George Earthy

Academy gets a huge boost with the debut of George Earthy

Nothing says that quite like a player getting game time on the pitch. David Moyes’ decision to give Earthy game time was huge. Make no mistake about it, there would have been a lot of young players and their parents watching the situation unfold with Divin Mubama. His imminent departure and failure to really break into the team would have had many questioning their futures at the club.

However, that will have changed now. There will be many now wondering if they’ll get their chance too. It might be Ollie Scarles, and it might be Lewis Orford, but they’ll now see opportunity where previously there was none.

So well done, David Moyes. I just hope he knows what a big impact he’s had on the mood of the Academy and continues to throw on a youngster or two.

Leave a comment

West Ham United look to capitalize on Villa’s recent struggles

West Ham United look to capitalize on Villa’s recent struggles against top-half opposition when the two sides clash tomorrow at the London Stadium.

West Ham United look to capitalize on Villa’s recent struggles

Lucas Paqueta is needed for the next games

West Ham United look to capitalize on Villa’s recent struggles

Unai Emery’s Villa side has hit a rough patch, dropping points in games against  Premier League matches against teams currently residing in the top half of the table.
This includes defeats to Tottenham, Newcastle, and Manchester United (twice). Their struggles extend to cup competitions, with a 3-1 loss to 11th-placed Chelsea in the FA Cup further highlighting their vulnerability against stronger teams.

Sitting comfortably in seventh place, West Ham will be confident of their chances against a struggling Villa side. Playing at home adds another layer of advantage for the Hammers, who will be aiming to exploit Villa’s recent slump.

With their grip on fourth place potentially slipping, Aston Villa might be feeling the pressure. West Ham can use this to their advantage, capitalising on any nervousness within the Villa squad to snatch valuable points.

While West Ham boasts a near full-strength squad, there are a couple of injury doubts. Emerson faces a late fitness test, while Lucas Paqueta is a question mark after being withdrawn against Freiburg as a precaution for a recurring calf issue.

Although a win wouldn’t alter the current league positions, both teams are aiming to solidify their standing in the table as the season approaches its decisive final stages.

West Ham will be looking to exploit Villa’s recent woes and maintain their position in the top half, while Villa will be desperate to stop the bleeding and get back on track in their pursuit of a Champions League spot.
Leave a comment

Check ticket availability for Villa game

West Ham-London Stadium_stadium-Hammers are accused of being selfish

Check ticket availability for Villa game

There is still time to check on the availability of tickets for the game against Aston Villa on Sunday via the club’s ticket change.

There may be some still on sale from season tickets holders who are unable to make the game as we complete the last of our three home games.

Three big points are at stake as the midlanders come to town sitting in fourth place with the Hammers in seventh and although tickets have long sold out there may still be some available.

We’re unbeaten in our last eight home meetings with Unai Emery’s side, stretching back almost 13 years, and a win here would boost our push for European football.

You can check availability here or relist if you’re a Season Ticket Holder here!

Meanwhile, tickets are also on General Sale for our home game against Fulham next month and you can secure your seat for that one here!

3 Comments

Board face big job on new Moyes contract

 

Will owner David Sullivan offer Moyes a new deal as West Ham manager?

Board face big job on new Moyes contract

The board set to face a big  job not awarding David Moyes a new deal this summer.

Board face big job on new Moyes contract

Whatever one feels about the manager’s usual style of football, his achievements thus far have been excellent and he showed on Thursday evening that he is more than capable of putting the squad on the front foot and getting a big result.

Tomorrow we return to the Premier League against a Villa side who were heavily beaten by Spurs in the Premier League before beating Ajax by the same 4-o score line  in the Conference in their last game.

With Villa in fourth position on 55 points and ourselves on 43 having overcome a Premier League slump this could be a cracking game which again we really need to win.

Meanwhile a place in the quarter finals of the Europa League has become no mean achievement although we face a huge job getting past Bayer Leverkusen and into the semis.

The big problem for most of us has been the defensive style played by Moyes but it is hard to imagine the board will look elsewhere on the basis of that following the dramatic and adventurous approach he adopted in the match against Freiburg.

Uneaten Bayer will offer a lot more on what will be a fascinating affair and certainly show how far we have come in real terms as will Sunday’s game against the Villa.

(5) CLARETANDHUGH | Facebook

Leave a comment

Moyes discusses an amazing signing

Mohammed Kudus

David Moyes has been  discussing an amazing signing

Mohammed Kudus has been quite brilliant and with 14 goals already for us he has shown the brilliance of technical director Tim Steidten in picking his up from Ajax.

To do so for around £38 million was an even more remarkable piece of business from Steidten and Moyes has now admitted he has become a huge fan of the Ghana international.

Moyes discusses an amazing signing

Some of his goals are qualifiers best of the season from any player anywhere such as he showed against Freiburg and if the club can hold onto the likes of him and Paqueta this is a club genuinely going places.

Unlike many new arrivals he has settled into the Premier League very quickly and Moyes points to his flexibility in being able to play in a variety of number of positions as critically important.

The manager has been discussing him ahead of the game against Aston Villa and said: “Mo is a great boy to work with. He is a quiet boy, but we like him a lot.

I think he has actually blossomed and is coming on so much. We can play him in so many different positions and that has given us a bit of flexibility.

I think he has his own preference on the way he would like to play, and on Thursday he scored his goals off the left, but he has mainly scored them off the right, and we know he can play as a No10 and as a nine.

The flexibility he has gives us huge opportunities, but we have been really impressed by his attitude and the way he has taken to the Premier League.”