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
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 Emerson faces a late fitness test, while Lucas Paqueta is a question mark after being withdrawn against Freiburg as a precaution for a recurring calf issue.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.