I’m a bit late with this one, so will keep it brief.
This is a really tough test, as many sides have found out this season, as West Ham have been playing consistently very well. They’re very strong on set-pieces, especially with their heading too, so our marking and aerial defence will have to be at it’s best.
Straight to squad news and nothing has changed, with only Nakamba not training.
As for West Ham, Jared Bowen limped off last week and missed their Europa tie midweek, so might be doubtful.
Vladimir Coufal and Angelo Ogbonna are definitely out and Andriy Yarmolenko has been excused from playing for the last two games, so maybe won’t play either.
I think Steven Gerrard would like to play the same team that got the convincing win at Leeds, but would imagine he’s going to have to make at least a couple of changes purely to rest any players who might be feeling it.
I still don’t understand why players can’t play twice a week, even if the last game was only on Thursday, but there you go.
I’d like to think we can win this and you never know, we might.
But I have to be realistic in hoping for a draw, which would be a very good result.
We lost 2-1 at home last time we played them, but Konsa got sent off, which gave them the advantage.
Mind you, we can never seem to take advantage when we have an opposing player sent off, but that’s a different issue.
I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
UTV!
Comments
31 responses to “West Ham – Villa; Not particularly hopeful, but you never know.”
Fingers crossed.
It’s being shown on BEIN sports 🙂
Moyes undefeated in 11 games against the Villa – gets boring all these undefeated runs against us. Haven’t beaten West Ham in a while either.
I’m siding with Badger – 1-1 Important to keep an undefeated run going
I’m doing 2-0 to us! But then again I always get it wrong. I’m worse than Lawro!!
No changes.
Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, J.Ramsey; Coutinho; Watkins, Ings.
Subs: Olsen, Konsa, A.Young, Iroegbunam, Sanson, Buendia, Chukwuemeka, Bailey, Traore.
Bowen’s out. That’s good, as I rate him highly.
Are we playing West Ham at a good time? We are in good form and no new injuries so players fighting to keep their places. If the two up top doesn’t work then we can switch it to a 4-3-3 quite comfortably. We need to nullify Rice who orchestrates them and Antonio too is someone who can win a game almost single handedly.
I’m going for a 2-1 win for the reason that there is no pressure on us and they still need to get 5th or 6th while still juggling Europa league progression.
Blimey, Digne off holding his left hammy. Young on.
Not much in this up to now.
We’re holding our own and have created more chances.
Another ref likes London clubs, I’ve seen 3 fouls and he’s waved it on. The FA must look for refs near to the grounds so it’s cheaper . Funny old world we live in today.
Watkins been a disappointing player so far, a lot of physical play from West Ham.
Neither Ings nor Watkins had much decent service tbf.
Only real Villa chance after Ramsey driving run and Coutinho back heel.
Ramsey is very powerful for a 20 year old – must follow after his Dad.
A scrappy game so far. West Ham probably shaded it but we look reasonably solid.
Just watching the stat pretty even actually, 4 attempts West Ham 3 Villa . 1 on target West Ham 2 Villa.come on you lion’s.
Sounds like Wham are putting the boot in a bit…
Jeez, that’s the second time a Villa player has been punched and it’s been ignored. Unbelievable refereeing again.
And VAR say no issues!
Unbelievable save by Martinez
Only one team in this
Bailey on for Ings.
Shit, the Ukrainian scores
0-1
As I said only one team in this.
Moyes does us again
Fornells 2-0
The cost of taking Luiz off, but I suppose we had to try it after going behind.
Well no surprise we lost this. I think it just proves we’re a mid table team. We all knew that already. We’re not far away from pushing the top 7 teams but we clearly need more investment and I think we will see that over the summer. Bailey, Traore are not the answers. Next season will be an interesting one for sure.
Stopped watching at 1-0 as it was clear we’d play all day without scoring.
West Ham are a better team with better players – long way to go before we can think of Europe.
The difference today for me is declan rice. Just shows how beneficial a real good top DM is for a team.
Was Bailey to blame?I think we are too lightweight in the forward line. One day it will come .
OK – I was wrong about not scoring 🙂
Trying to cook dinner for the family anyway.
Ramsey clatters it after good work from Buendia.
2-1
It was obvious when Yarmolenko came on that he would score courtesy of the ever generous AVFC. It was a well taken goal TBF. Disappointed we lost but it shows we still have a lot to do to challenge at the top end. Buendia and Bailey injected some potency to our forward play but Watkins and Ings offered very little all game.
Bit harsh Holte – easy to criticise Ings and Watkins but they had rubbish service all game (well at least until the 70th minute when I retired to the kitchen 🙂 )
Fabianski also made a great save from Ings when it looked odds on he’d score.
Overall didn’t think we played that well.
I don’t think I’m being harsh Hitch. It’s the way I saw things today. The last few games they played well but Watkins especially failed to hold onto the ball and bring the rest of the team forward. I admit that they came up against a well drilled defence and the two up top didn’t work for us.