Former Aston Villa star, Paul Merson has outlined what Aston Villa need to do in order to get three points against West Ham United.
Coming into this one, Aston Villa have been in great form. Without a Premier League defeat since 3rd September, they find themselves in fifth place.
David Moyes’ side have also had a positive start to the season, sitting just two points behind the Villains in seventh place.
The clash between the two Claret and Blue outfits is sure to be an interesting affair.
Paul Merson predicts
Merson is a legend of England football and is well known now for his punditry work.
The Arsenal youth academy product made 117 appearances for Villa across a four-year period and is well-regarded in B6.
The ex-midfielder saw this one being a tight affair: “This is a good game between two teams that can be unpredictable but are having very good seasons. It could go either way.”
This one will be an intriguing tactical battle between the passing-focused Unai Emery and counter-attacking Moyes.
On that point, Merson suggested: “Villa are going to have a go at West Ham and David Moyes would love that because West Ham are excellent on the counter.”
The Villa faithful haven’t witnessed a Premier League defeat at Villa Park since February and won’t want that to change.
The home advantage affected Merse’s thinking: “Aston Villa are playing at home, however, and I’m going to back them to win this game.”
Predicting a 2-1 win for the Villains will be music to the fans’ ears.
Can the Villains beat the Hammers?
As bogey teams go, West Ham are up there for Villa.
In the last ten games between the two, the Hammers have won seven and the rest have been draws.
You have to go back all the way to Tim Sherwood’s time at the club to see a Villa win. Tom Cleverley scored the only goal in a 1-0 win.
In a team featuring Jack Grealish, Christian Benteke, Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar, it’s quite a throwback.
With that being said, Villa are a different team nowadays and will be more than hopeful of riding the hoodoo.
Smashing Brighton and Hove Albion just shows what Emery’s side are capable of.
Sunday night, under the lights, Villa turn up and there is no reason that they don’t come away with the first three points in 8 years.
We are going to agree with Paul Merson and hope for a Villa win.
