West Ham vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

Sunday 14th Dec, 14.00 KO.

Them 1 Us 2

[Legion]

0-4.

[Somniloquism]

Hopefully Emery gets over his "always losing at Nuno's home ground" syndrome but I don't think he will unfortunately.

[Brazilian Villain]

Hopefully Emery gets over his "always losing at Nuno's home ground" syndrome but I don't think he will unfortunately.

Agreed, it could be hard work. Have gone for a draw, but would love a win no matter how scrappy it is.

[andyh]

This one worries me.
Eminently winnable but could easily be a slip up.

1 more massive effort from the lads then they get a welcome full week of rest/recovery.

[Smirker]

Hopefully Emery gets over his "always losing at Nuno's home ground" syndrome but I don't think he will unfortunately.

Of course he will. They're shit.

3-0 Villa FTF.

[ChicagoLion]

We have enough to beat them.

[PaulWinch again]

If Torres is out that is a significant blow.

[ChicagoLion]

If Torres is out that is a significant blow.

With Lindelof  it’s better than having to play Kamara there.

[olaftab]

I will take the draw in this one as long as we thrash manure week after.

[olaftab]

If Torres is out that is a significant blow.

Why do you think Torres could be out?

[Somniloquism]

If Torres is out that is a significant blow.

Why do you think Torres could be out?

Valid thought I would think being as he went off against Arse and didn't travel yesterday and Emery confirmed an injury. He probably will play but if he is being nursed through the games then might not be as imposing as he has been recently.

[RamboandBruno]

2-1 us (Watkins, Malen).

This line up if Torres is for, if not Lindelof to be in for him.

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Kamara
Onana
Tielemans
Watkins
Rogers
McGinn

[Dave]

F365's preview of the weekend:

Team to watch: Aston Villa

How many times have we seen unlikely title challengers emerge only to immediately sh*t themselves and slink back whence they came the second things get real? It’s not even always just Chelsea.

Aston Villa have inserted themselves directly into this title race after a 10-game run featuring nine wins culminating in that sensational stoppage-time winner against Arsenal that prompted an entire team of adult humans to go full toddler. You’ve all seen the video. Absolute cinema. Never mind the Celebration Police; it’s the Dignity Police who should have been making house calls to Arsenal players this week.

It was a huge moment, though. One swing of Emi Buendia’s right boot was the difference between Arsenal maintaining a comfy six-point lead over Villa or seeing it trimmed to three, with Man City taking advantage later to move even closer at two points back from Arsenal – which is nearer to the Gunners than they were after 15 games in either 2022/23 or 2023/24 and we all know how those panned out.

The problem for Villa is that they’ve had to set an absolutely absurd and dare we say it unsustainable pace to get to where they are and if title contenders they are to be then they will have to keep sprinting as best they can.

Especially this weekend, because Arsenal are playing Wolves. So there is no margin for Villa when they head to the London Stadium for the Claret and Blue Derby against West Ham.

On paper it shouldn’t be a problem, because West Ham are sh*t. But they’re a ticklish kind of sh*t now under Nuno Espirito Santo; one that even Liverpool were able to easily subdue and eventually overwhelm with competence but a team nonetheless now capable of preying on those who turn up with any uncertainty or self-doubt as Newcastle and Burnley both have in recent weeks.

Villa shouldn’t have that problem, but imposter syndrome can kick in at the funniest times, and the entire country declaring you title contenders can absolutely be one of those times.

[Monty]

A fair and accurate description of exactly what we did, only much worse, at home to Sheffield United two years ago.