Aston Villa arrive at Upton Park, looking to secure a second win in their last 22 league matches.
Two teams, one shared set of club colours, and two very different seasons. Villa, with a near-historically low points total, are wallowing in a dank funk, 10 points from safety, propping up the division like a clammy, inept Atlas holding up the world. West Ham, to continue the metaphor, are feeling very much on top of the world, sitting as they are in resplendent sixth place, one point off Manchester United in fifth. West Ham’s players have clicked, working – when all fit, that is – together with as much verve and precision as a fine Swiss watch.
West Ham’s success in this regard is mirrored stunningly by Villa’s failure, and theirs is a squad that has shuddered collectively, seemingly unable to interact in the manner a coherent football team has to. The loss of Christian Benteke has stunted their goalscoring abilities to an astonishing degree; they have scored 10 goals less than their nearest relegation rival. On paper, this match should have only one outcome, especially now that West Ham have welcomed back most of their injured stars. But football is played on turf, and the Premier League specialises in throwing up the unexpected.
Key Battle – Idrissa Gueye vs Cheikhou Kouyate
Idrissa Gueye, the beleaguered Villa midfielder, has had a lot of work to do this season, but he has, all things considered, done it well. He ranks inside the league’s top five for tackles completed, and ranks second for interceptions, behind only Leicester’s N’Golo Kante. He wins a high percentage of his aerial duels, despite being only 5’7″, and is, all in all, a fearsome midfield rover of the highest order.
He will be coming up against a talented set of direct opponents, and West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate is perhaps the most intimidating. The Senegalese is the unsung hero in this Hammers midfield, and has spent much of this season being the league’s premier all-action iron man. Kouyate’s physical gifts – his strength, height and Viera-like stride length – make him immensely versatile, and therefore valuable to this two-way, quick-to-break West Ham side. At one moment he can be tackling in the box like a centre back – he played often as a central defender for Anderlecht – and the next, he’s leading the break like a flying winger. His endless energy is vital in keeping his team from fading, and is in no small part responsible for the fact that West Ham have conceded the joint-second fewest second half goals; only Arsenal and Spurs have conceded fewer.
Gueye will have his hands full with Kouyate, and there will be moments, likely involving both of these players, where a well-timed tackle from Gueye could mean the difference. He will hope, as will the Villa supporters, that he can rise to the occasion.
Team News
Both teams have significant injuries, and will enter this contest limping slightly. West Ham are without Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini, and Diafra Sakho. James Tomkins needed 13 stitches to repair a gash suffered during the FA Cup tie with Liverpool, so he is a doubt. New signing Sam Byram will probably start, with Carl Jenkinson missing, and Emmanuel Emenike, another new arrival, may well feature off the bench. Alex Song, having excelled against Manchester City is likely to retain his starting spot, and Dimitri Payet will nestle back into his reserved notch in the heart of the attack.
Villa have been stripped of their striker Rudy Gestede, and will also be without Carlos Sanchez. Jordan Ayew will start up front, and Micah Richards will remain at right back, with Okore and Lescott in the middle of the defence. Mark Bunn should also continue in goal for Villa, with Brad Guzan suffering through a horrendous spell of form.
Head-to-Head and Previous Match
In the Premier League era, Villa hold the edge over the Hammers, with eight wins, five losses, and eight draws. Their last meeting ended in stalemate, a 1-1 draw in December last year. That match came at the end of West Ham’s torrid injury glut, and so this rematch sees the Hammers much more handsomely equipped in attack.
Prediction
West Ham will win, 3-0.
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