Aston Villa v West Ham United (Match Preview & Prediction)
There is an optimism around West Ham United which has been brought about by the fine work done by the management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke. West Ham travel to Villa Park for Saturday’s Premiership encounter sitting pretty in 7th position in the Premiership table and with just one defeat in their last six games. Zola’s attractive brand of passing football has won over the Hammers support who have seen some turmoil at their club over the last few seasons. Rumours persist about the future of several star players (Matty Upson has been rumoured this week to be sold in the summer) but Zola is confident he can at least keep his young players and build his side around the likes of Sears, Stanislas, Tompkins, Noble, and Collison.
Villa are without a win in 10 games and Villa Park will be expecting three points against West Ham on Saturday. Villa came back from 3-1 down to Everton on Sunday to snatch a point in a dramatic match at Villa Park. The supporters and Villa boss Martin O’Neill will be delighted with the fighting spirit the side has shown in the last two matches but will be concerned that the defence is leaking goals at the moment. 19 goals have been conceded in the last seven games which proves how badly Villa have missed the likes of Freddy Bouma and Martin Laursen.
Gabriel Agbonlahor is unlikely to play for several weeks following a hamstring injury picked up in the Everton match. With Emile Heskey also injured, O’Neill may decide to try out a Carew & Delfouneso striker combination. His other option is to revert back to the 4-5-1 system that was so successful for him earlier in the season. The Villa boss admitted this week that no plans for the summer have been made and that he and owner Randy Lerner will be sitting down to discuss transfer funds and options after this campaign has ended. Sunday’s result keeps Villa one point above Everton in fifth position but eight points behind Arsenal with a Champions League position next season now looking increasingly unlikely.
West Ham have only one once in their previous 11 visits to Villa Park and I think this is game Villa can win. John Carew is looking in excellent form at the moment with four goals in six games and I am tipping him to score again and inspire Villa to a much needed victory.
My Prediction: Aston Villa 2 West Ham United 1
