West Ham vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[LeeB]

They lost to fucking Leeds, and regularly play Craig Dawson.

4-0 us.

[Risso]

They lost to fucking Leeds, and regularly play Craig Dawson.

4-0 us.

Too right.

[RamboandBruno]

I’ve just read we haven’t won against these since 2015.

To be fair we didnt play them for 3 seasons when we were in the championship. Since coming back up, those two draws in our first year back up when both teams struggled, but they’ve beaten us 3 on the bounce since. Thought we utterly outplayed them at their place last year, but dodgy defending from set pieces, glaring misses (Trez, Watkins pen) and a fingernail VAR offside did us. They’ve pretty much outplayed us in the last two games at VP.
Tough game this, they are on an iffy run, but not getting hammered by anyone, usually the odd goal and Antonio is a different proposition (even when not scoring) to Bamford or Che Adams. There midfield two dominated us at Villa Park in October as well.
Still we’re flying at the minute and should give them a good game. Id take Ramsey out for a rest for Sanson and otherwise keep the same team.
Would take a draw but going for an optimistic 0-2 (Coutinhio and Watkins with a late one on the counter).

[Steve67]

We have a tough run of fixtures coming up, so good to be in some run of form going into those fixtures.  West Ham seem a bit stodgy just lately, so I expect us to win by a 0-1 margin with McGinn to toe poke one home from 30 yards.

[TonyD]

Tough but interesting game.   
With the new formation we have every chance.
Like to see Sanson start or at least come on HT. 

[Risso]

This game will be a good benchmark for where we are under Gerrard. they're a good team who utterly smashed us to pieces at Villa Park earlier in the season.

[Nev]

I thought winning 3 on the bounce was a stretch but after Thursday I think 4 is a distinct possibility. We are bouncing, they are a bit flat so we go into this with much confidence. I would be happy with a draw but will demonstrate rare optimism and go all out for the win.

1-2

[ChicagoLion]

Their pitch is the standard size, identical to ours.

there is some sort of optical illusion going on then, if you look at the distance penalty are to by line it looks too narrow.

[Smithy]

We haven't won 4 premier league games in a row since the start of last season, when everything felt brilliant and like we were on the cusp of something special.  I would really like to feel that way again please.

1-2, Watkins & Ings

[mrfuse]

Sorry for repeating myself again for the 4th time but despite posting I rarely use the prediction poll until 3 games ago and I've predicted a loss for us ever since.
Another loss it is for us then.

[Risso]

Their pitch is the standard size, identical to ours.

there is some sort of optical illusion going on then, if you look at the distance penalty are to by line it looks too narrow.

It's a truly shit stadium for watching football in.

[Sexual Ealing]

Their pitch is the standard size, identical to ours.

there is some sort of optical illusion going on then, if you look at the distance penalty are to by line it looks too narrow.

It's a truly shit stadium for watching football in.

Agreed.

[algy]

Their pitch is the standard size, identical to ours.

They really are just a London-based dodgy knock off version of us, aren't they?

[robbo1874]

Absolutely no idea about this result. Thought we’d smash Leeds at home , we drew. Thought we’d beat Watford, we lost. Thought we’d beat Newcastle, we lost. Thought we’d draw against Brighton we won. Thought we’d draw against Saints, we won. Only one I’ve picked recently is Leeds away. I’ll go with a draw 2-2. But who knows with Villa.

[Risso]

Their pitch is the standard size, identical to ours.

They really are just a London-based dodgy knock off version of us, aren't they?

That's like comparing Lonsdale trainers to a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes.