West Ham travel to Birmingham in search of their first back to back wins of the season, as well as their first league double as they face struggling Aston Villa at Villa Park today.
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The two statistics above show the sheer inconsistency that has haunted Big Sam’s men in their maiden campaign back in the Premier League. A win on Sunday would put an almighty gap between us and the relegation and a trip back from a ground that hasn’t been a happy hunting ground in the past.
The goal scoring return of Andy Carroll will give those travelling Hammers (myself included) reason for optimism, his form will be vital for West Ham for the remainder of the season. In an interview with the Daily Mirror club captain Kevin Nolan joked that his pal: “needed more goals” if he wanted a permanent deal at the club.
Living with a Villa fan I have seen a lot of them this season, and it’s easy to see their frailties, defensively during set pieces they look very weak. A statistic shows that 19 goals have come from set pieces so the form of Andy Carroll on Sunday will go a long to deciding the result.
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Another player who faces a return to an unhappy hunting ground is Winston Reid who had a nightmare debut there two seasons ago. Two years on, he is a much improved player and as things stand my player of the season, he is strong in the air and on the floor.
Reid will need to be on top form on Sunday though as he comes up against one of the few shining lights of Aston Villa’s forgettable campaign so far, Christian Benteke. The Belgian forward is best described as a tank with an eye for goal. His two goals in two of Villas most memorable away days will live long in the memory for the Lions faithful a brace at Liverpool and Everton respectively shows he has very decent ability.
As I said above I have seen a lot of Villa this season and if you look at their squad as a whole it does surprise me to see them struggling where they are. I didn’t think they would pull up any trees but I thought they would be safely in lower mid table. Paul Lambert has built a young squad full of potential and skill, but unfortunately a lack of experience and belief when the times are hard has seen them drop.
Players like Gabriel Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke, Charles N’Zogbia, Darren Bent and Ron Vlaar are all players with experience and ability but for one reason or another as a team they just haven’t clicked as one, and it’s a shame because if they were to drop the Premiership would lose a great club, with great history,
West Ham have been there before at this time of year and although Villa may not have officially named this game “save our season” I think this game is Villa’s most vital of the season so far. The Hammers are known to come up against a team who hasn’t won in god knows how long and come with a gift wrapped three points. With our away form as it is, a win for Villa cannot be written off.
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They have quality players that cannot be forgotten about, they are a dangerous team that play attractive football, what you would expect from a Lambert side. Paul Lambert ahead of the clash urged his players to use “every trick in the book” to seal all three points this weekend after seeing his side throw away a very presentable chance of three points last week at Goodison Park.
Both defences will have to be on the ball this Sunday and I think it’s who defends the best wins this game quite simply if we can keep Benteke and Weimann quiet the Hammers will win. If the youthful Villa back four keep Carroll, Jarvis and Joey Cole quiet they will win. For West Ham set pieces are vital if they want to pick up their first away win since November.
Team News:
Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood has a virus and could miss Sunday’s game with West Ham.
Karim El Ahmadi and Fabian Delph have overcome knee injuries, while recent signing Yacouba Sylla could make his first start.
West Ham have no new injury concerns after their players returned from international duty unscathed.
Modibo Maiga remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty, and James Collins and George McCartney are still out.
Stat Box:
- · West Ham have only picked up 1 point from a possible 21 away day points since winning at Newcastle.
- · West Ham’s last win at Villa Park was in 2006 when Zamora and Harewood scored to cancel out Lee Hendrie’s strike.
- · Villa have only picked up 2 home wins all season scoring just nine goals.
Who is the referee? Mark Clattenburg
Last six meetings
- · (Premier League unless stated)
- · 18 August 2012 – West Ham United 1-0 Aston Villa
- · 16 April 2011 – West Ham United 1-2 Aston Villa
- · 14 August 2010 – Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham United
- · 17 January 2010 – Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham United
- · 4 November 2009 – West Ham United 2-1 Aston Villa
- · 18 April 2009 – Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United
- · Overall record v Aston Villa (all competitions) W 38 D 31 L 37
How to get there from Birmingham new street?
Take the short train journey from Birmingham New Street (around 10-15 minutes) to either Aston or Witton station. Witton station is nearer to the away section and is only a few minutes’ walk from the ground. Turn left out of the station exit and continue down to a roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout into Witton Lane and the entrance to the away section is down this road on the right. Aston station is about a ten minute walk away from Villa Park. Extra trains are laid on to the ground on match days. (Thanks to FootballGroundguide.com)
Shift pint before the 1.30 kick off? Where to go?
Having looked at KUMB it looks as though we’ll be dotted around with the Dragons Inn sounding the most popular drinking outlet but with it being a Sunday most pubs won’t be open until 12 apart from home put weatherspoons. So it could be a packed concourse at Villa Park for a watered down Carlsberg for me!
What’s the weather going to be like? Dreadful, Sunday is set for torrential rain, and temperatures around 3oC.
Bowdenwhu Predict: Aston Villa 1 West Ham 1
Come on you Irons!
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You cannot get a beer inside the ground if you are in the away end. The Cap n Gown by the ground has an away fans bar