Aston Villa vs West Ham United Predictions

• Aston Villa have lost only one of one of their last 16 home league games
• Aston Villa are unbeaten in five meetings with West Ham
• Both teams have scored in 12 of Villa’s last 15 home league outings

Villa can make the most of home comforts

Graham Potter endured defeat in his first game as West Ham boss away at Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round just over two weeks ago and it could be a case of deja vu when they renew their rivalry in the Premier League.

The Hammers were far from disgraced in that cup tie but having taken a ninth-minute lead through Lucas Paqueta, they were unable to fend off Villa’s second-half fightback and fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Potter has since got off the mark as Hammers boss, courtesy of a 3-2 win at home to Fulham, but they have subsequently suffered a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace and injuries are starting to take their toll.

There is a much weaker look to the Londoners going forward without injured trio Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio, meaning there is a reliance on Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus for their attacking verve.

Weakened Hammers set to struggle

Villa may have failed to win any of their six Premier League matches on the back of a midweek Champions League fixture, but the tide can turn against the Hammers.

Unai Emery’s side have been far more convincing in the Premier League of late, with their only two defeats in their last nine coming on tricky away trips to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

Last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal highlights their recent improvement and they have suffered only one league loss in their last 16 games at Villa Park.

Emery’s troops have amassed 13 points from the last 15 on offer at home, which includes a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

That should be enough to strike fear into a weakened West Ham, who have lost four of their last seven away league matches.

Goals should be on the cards

Villa do have some defensive injuries to contend with, however, and with only two clean sheets in 15 league games suggests the Hammers may be good for one goal, even without their array of attacking stars.

The only time West Ham have failed to score in ten away league games this season came in a 3-0 defeat at Forest, which makes a Villa win in a match featuring at least three goals the play.

Villa are unbeaten in five meetings between the sides but both teams have netted on every occasion, making a repeat 2-1 win for the hosts of interest to correct-score punters.