Game week four of the Premier League is well underway, and Aston Villa welcome West Ham to Villa Park this Sunday afternoon. Hear Liam’s pre-match thoughts heading into today’s big game…
INITIAL THOUGHTS
The one thing I’d like to see from today’s game is a spirited performance. I am yet to be convinced by any display so far this season, and I therefore hope to see us well up for it and being competitive against this well-drilled West Ham side.
We have conceded in each of the three games this term, and I would like to see desire from each player to guard the goal and earn a first clean sheet. I, like every Villa fan, would like to see Villa Park become a fortress and have opposition teams dread making the trip to B6. The win against Everton means we still have a 100% unbeaten record at home, and I’d like to keep that this weekend.
The prospect of a new defensive signing may help towards this clean sheet desire, and it appears as if it may arrive in the form of Jan Bednarek. The Southampton defender is reportedly on the verge of a move to Aston Villa, and the Polish international would be a healthy addition to the squad. Having lost Diego Carlos to injury, Bednarek is a welcome signing, adding quality and Premier League experience.
Momentum and confidence are important factors in football, and I hope Villa can maintain both this week with a result. With fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City on the horizon, three points against West Ham today will do the team the world of good.
Steven Gerrard and his team will look to build from an improved display against Bolton in the Carabao Cup. The atmosphere is immense when the players show fight and passion, and if The Villans can bring the same energy as Tuesday night and play with their hearts on their sleeves, I’m sure Villa Park will be rocking.
MATCH VERDICT
I believe this fixture’s key battle lies within the midfield. The quality that West Ham’s Declan Rice possesses allows the England international to dictate games. The Hammers are usually strongest when he sees a lot of the ball, therefore the performances of Aston Villa’s midfield up against the 23 year-old will be crucial today.
John McGinn has struggled in recent weeks, and I believe if The Villans have a chance of winning, the captain’s showing will be pivotal. Who partners the Scotsman will be just as important. Boubacar Kamara is a guaranteed starter, but that other midfield spot may be the difference between victory or defeat.
Jacob Ramsey had a strong showing against Everton last time out at Villa Park, but Douglas Luiz had a good game in mid-week, and you’d say the Brazilian brings more balance to the middle. Steven Gerrard has a big decision to make in this department, and his choice of line-up could well be costly.
The other conundrum lies up-front, and how you arrange the three forward players. Aston Villa’s sole win this season came with both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins up top together. Leon Bailey has made a fair start to the season however, and so Gerrard may stick with the 4-3-3 formation that started against Crystal Palace.
Whoever is picked has a tough task on there hands, up against a resilient West Ham United. The Irons have won the last five contests between the two teams, and so despite their poor form, Villa will have it all to do out there.
Keeping the East-London side’s forward-line quiet will be tricky. Saïd Benrahma has started the campaign positively with some impressive performances, and both Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio always cause problems for the opposition when on the field.
SCORE PREDICTION
Last weekend’s score prediction couldn’t have really gone any worse – I was way off! As much as I’d like to be optimistic this weekend, I struggle to see us winning the affair. With that being said, I am looking forward to being back at Villa Park – we still have a 100% record at home after all!
Striker Ollie Watkins also finds himself in some good form; the number eleven has seven goal involvements from his last nine league games. The 26 year-old seems to relish playing this week’s opponents too, and always finds himself actively involved each time we match-up with West Ham.
David Moyes’ side are certainly a threat though – despite their current league position and absence of goals. Their two ties in the UEFA Conference League shows they are more than capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, and the numbers produced from their attacking players over the years indicate just how dangerous they can be.
I believe the Hammers will be right up for the game, and will be eager to make up ground after a torrid first three games. I’d like to think Villa will be just as determined heading into this afternoon though, and will look to bounce back after last week’s miserable display.
I am going to sit on the fence and vouch for an entertaining 2-2 draw. I can see Ollie Watkins on the scoresheet; continuing his superb form. I think Leon Bailey will also bag a goal, with the Jamaican having a point to prove. I believe both Jarrod Bowen and Saïd Benrahma will be a handful on the day and get a goal each to level the game.
This afternoon’s game is perfectly poised and set to be an exciting one. Both teams should be lively and it may well be a back and forth type of contest as a result. As previously stated, I’d love to see us put in a good shift, but three points would just top it off. Come on you Villa boys!
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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