Hammer time: Behind enemy lines at Villa’s next opponents

Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they host in-form West Ham United at Villa Park.

The two teams couldn’t be in more contrasting form. Villa go into the match in their worst run of the season having lost their last three. David Moyes’ side on the other hand go into it in their best. They’ve won five out of their last six in all competitions including their most recent feat - knocking holders Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup.

On paper, it’s only going one way. But games aren’t played on paper and this Villa side are much better than recent results suggest.

Are this West Ham team as good as theirs read? We spoke to LondonWorld reporter, Rahman Osman, to find out.

West Ham are in excellent form - what’s the mood like in the fanbase?

The mood feels like a couple so much in love with each other. The club is even thinking about expanding the number of fans they take in on match days.

It feels like ages since the fan base were upset with the owners and constantly protesting against them.

All that pain and agony has been replaced with beautiful songs and a charged atmosphere during games.

David Moyes has turned this club around and it’s an unbelievable time to be a West Ham fan.

On the flip side, Villa are enduring their worst run of the year - are West Ham fans expecting a win on Sunday?

Straight win for the Irons. West Ham have been very strong away and their win over Everton at Goodison is proof enough that they can produce a performance at every ground.

It’s really not a great time to play them, they are winning matches in Europe and knocking big holders like Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup competition.

The idea is to make the club a top six side and they’d be confident to go to Villa Park and take all three points.

Key player(s) Villa need to be wary of?

Michail Antonio, six goals already this season and he was rested against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

He embodies whatever Moyes has done in his career, small progress but huge work ethic and eventually the results will come. This was a player who started as a right back and has worked his way up to the very top of the scoring chart.

Strengths/weaknesses of the Hammers?

I wouldn’t say it is a weakness especially given how they continue to win games but they could do with more goals from midfield and wide players. 

Strength is in their ability to win games despite not dominating them, they play in moments and they pick their spots. Then they are hard to score against and they’ve got confidence added to that, making it very difficult to knock that out of them.

They are well coached, just a group of friends who seem to be enjoying their game at the moment.

Any team news/injuries?

No injury concerns for Moyes, everything seems to be working just perfect for them.

Predicted line-up

(4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Johnson, Ogbonna, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Antonio

Score prediction

Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham United

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