West Ham United vs. Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread

[JUAN PABLO]

Alan McInally speaks


The relegation picture should be a lot clearer after this weekend, with most of the bottom sides facing each other.
 
I think I can still hear the roar of relief coming from Villa Park after the Newcastle win and another three points down at West Ham will just about see Villa safe.
 
One look at their away record tells you why Villa can’t be mega-confident but in these situations it sometimes helps to be the visiting side, with the pressure piled on the hosts.
 
It is a massive game for both clubs and there will be no hiding places for the 22 men on the pitch.
 



Villa have the class to tell, though, and they can claim the win that would spell disaster for the Hammers, who then face back-to-back road trips against Chelsea and Man City.

[peter w]

Yeah went there before and after the game last season. Good atmosphere and decent prices.

[JUAN PABLO]

SCOTT PARKER is set to miss the next THREE games in West Ham's battle to beat the dreaded drop.
 
The inspirational midfielder is definitely out of today's six-pointer at home to Aston Villa because of an Achilles injury.
 
And Hammers boss Avram Grant is considering resting Parker for the tough away matches at Chelsea and Manchester City.
 
That would leave Parker fit for the final three matches when they host Blackburn, travel to Wigan and entertain Sunderland.
 
The England star, 30, had an anti-inflammatory jab on his sore heel last night.

But it is believed rest and recuperation is the best treatment for the club's most important player.
 
Grant feels his third-bottom side need three wins to stay up.

And he is prepared to leave captain Parker out, hoping he will be ready for the last three matches against clubs who could all still be in the relegation mix.
 
The midfielder has been soldiering on with the problem for two weeks having first picked it up while on duty with England in the Euro 2012 qualifier in Wales last month.
 
Former Villa star Thomas Hitzlsperger admits the Hammers must bounce back after being undone in a 3-0 thrashing at Bolton last week.
 
And the adopted Cockney, who learnt to speak English the Brummie way, insists he will have no qualms about punching the air should he score against a club for whom he still has deep affection.
 
The 29-year-old German, who spent five years with the Midlanders from 2000, said: "I'm a West Ham player now.
 
"Although it was good at the time at Villa, our fans would be hugely disappointed if they had a player who doesn't seem happy when he scores for the team.
 
"The Villa team has changed completely.

"The managers change frequently, there is a new owner and among the players it's only Gabby Agbonlahor that I played with. But I still know the staff. I always follow them because I had a good time there and people looked after me.
 
"Usually I'm quite spontaneous and you'll see a smile on my face.

"I would be delighted if we win the game and if I can contribute - it doesn't take away from anything about having a good time there.
 
"First of all, I want to win the game. I'm not the type of player to prepare for any celebrations so I don't know what I'm doing if I end up scoring a goal.
 





"We're missing Scott Parker but I'm optimistic we'll have a good game. Unfortunately we miss him for this game and possibly the week after.
 
"After such a disappointing game against Bolton you could see the players were disappointed."
 
Carlton Cole will lead the front line in a match billed as 'Best of British' by the Hammer hierarchy despite the team being peppered with foreigners like Hitzlsperger.
 
West Ham insist the tag for today's match is to mark St George's Day next Saturday when the Hammers go to Stamford Bridge.
 
Striker Cole goes before the FA next week on an improper conduct charge for tweeting a joke about immigration and the 20,000 Ghana fans at England's friendly against the Africans last month.
 
Angry boss Grant said: "To charge Carlton Cole with racism is a joke.

"I don't think they will do anything even when they are trying to charge everybody and everything.
 
"They need to calm down and deal with the main problems and not things like this.
 
"Not one person I have spoken

[peter w]

So he'll definitely be starting today then.

[JUAN PABLO]

So he'll definitely be starting today then.

;-)

[alanclare]

We have the better players but West Ham are more motivated. I think the two will just about cancel out to give a draw 2-2.

[Concrete John]

And Hammers boss Avram Grant is considering resting Parker for the tough away matches at Chelsea and Manchester City.

Lunacy, IMO.

[Mazrim]

What's all this bollocks about West Ham being more motivated and wanting it more? They need it more perhaps but who says they'll show more desire? Based on what?

[JUAN PABLO]

big game for them , If they lose this , they are probably down and will be as nervous as the married actor whos been bonking with the hooker...      Villa can do this....   

[VillaAlways]

We have the better players but West Ham are more motivated.

How do you work that one out then given their current league position

[Greg N'Ash]

What's all this bollocks about West Ham being more motivated and wanting it more? They need it more perhaps but who says they'll show more desire? Based on what?

Based on the fact that if they lose and results go against them elsewhere they're going to struggle to get the points to stay up with their remianing games. Its a must win game for them IMO.  We on the other hand, had a must win game last week but today's game was not one i was counting on to get the points to stay up. I'm sure they'll come at us with all guns blazing which could play into our hands with Parker missing. Get a goal on the break and i reckon any head of steam they've built up will evaporate.

[Greg N'Ash]

And Hammers boss Avram Grant is considering resting Parker for the tough away matches at Chelsea and Manchester City.

Lunacy, IMO.

I can't believe Grant's still there personally when's he's been clueless for much of the season.. Can only imagine their board were so ashamed with the MON debacle, that they feel unable to give him the chop. if they lose today i wouldn't be surprised if they get rid and bring someone in for a last gasp gamble at staying up

[Mazrim]

What's all this bollocks about West Ham being more motivated and wanting it more? They need it more perhaps but who says they'll show more desire? Based on what?

Based on the fact that if they lose and results go against them elsewhere they're going to struggle to get the points to stay up with their remianing games. Its a must win game for them IMO.  We on the other hand, had a must win game last week but today's game was not one i was counting on to get the points to stay up. I'm sure they'll come at us with all guns blazing which could play into our hands with Parker missing. Get a goal on the break and i reckon any head of steam they've built up will evaporate.

Yeah, as I said, they need it more but that doesn't mean they'll prove more motivated and hungry.

[PaulWinch again]

Right I can't see the game today, but please please win Villa.

[nadz3488]

3 points for us, we're top half of the table, Houllier gushes about our "fantastic away supprt and incredible team spririt" etc etc