West Ham United and Aston Villa will go head-to-head on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
West Ham United vs Aston Villa odds
Find the latest match odds for West Ham United vs Aston Villa. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
⚡Quick West Ham United vs Aston Villa betting tips
West Ham United vs Aston Villa predictions
There is excitement in the air at both West Ham United and Aston Villa ahead of the new Premier League season, which gets under way for these two teams on Sunday.
West Ham said goodbye to David Moyes at the end of last term. The Scot did a fine job in east London, establishing the Hammers in continental competition and guiding them to glory in the Europa Conference League.
But in hindsight, it would have been better for all parties had Moyes departed on a high after that victory over Fiorentina in May 2023.
Last season was a struggle for West Ham. They did reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League and still managed a top-half finish in the Premier League, but the fans grew tired of Moyes’ pragmatic brand of football, especially given some of the talent in the squad at his disposal.
Julen Lopetegui was confirmed as Moyes’ replacement in May and he has had a full pre-season to work with his players. West Ham have been busy in the transfer market too, signing the likes of Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme, Jean-Clair Todibo, Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guido Rodriguez and Nicklas Fullkrug. That is where much of the optimism comes from.
Aston Villa supporters have also been counting down the days until the start of the season, although the beginning of the Champions League in September is what many are primarily focused on.
The task for Unai Emery this term is to balance domestic and European commitments. In a conflict between the two, he is a manager who has tended to favour the latter. Even so, Villa will aim to stay in the top-four conversation.
Villa have lost Douglas Luiz to Juventus this summer, but they have added to their squad in the form of Ian Maatsen, Jaden Philogene, Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana among others. That is a big reason why many Villa fans believe they can stay in the mix at the top of the division even while competing in the Champions League.
West Ham United vs Aston Villa betting tips
West Ham United and Aston Villa will both be aiming to challenge for European qualification this season – who will triumph here?
West Ham United to win – 8/5 (SBK)
West Ham finished higher up the away table than the home one last time out. Lopetegui will be aiming to make the London Stadium a tough place to go again, as it was earlier in Moyes’ second spell at the helm.
The fans tended not to get on the team’s back last season, but it was impossible to ignore the rumblings of discontent in the stands at the London Stadium when things were not going well.
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We will see none of that this weekend. Lopetegui’s team will have the full backing of close to 60,000 fans on Sunday.
Needless to say, that alone will not be sufficient for victory. But West Ham look to have solved some of their deficiencies from last season, sourcing an alternative to the ageing and injury-prone Michail Antonio and tightening up a defence which was far too leaky last time out.
⚽ Tip West Ham United to win at 8/5 with SBK ⚽
Over 2.5 goals – 8/13 (SBK)
For all that West Ham’s backline looks in better shape now than it did at the end of last season, it will take time for the likes of Wan-Bissaka, Todibo and Kilman to strike up a relationship. One or more of those players may even be left out for Sunday’s opener.
Aston Villa will certainly give West Ham something to think about. Ollie Watkins was one of the standout performers in the Premier League last season, scoring 19 goals in the top flight and eight more in other competitions. He will be supported by the likes of Leon Bailey and John McGinn, so West Ham will be tested.
They are not short of attacking quality themselves, though. Fullkrug looks set to lead the line for his debut, with Jarrod Bowen, Mo Kudus and Lucas Paqueta offering no shortage of creativity in behind.
⚽ Choose over 2.5 goals at 8/13 with SBK ⚽
Jarrod Bowen to score any time – 2/1 (SBK)
Given the atmosphere around West Ham last season, Bowen’s exploits went a little under the radar. Only eight players in the division scored more than his 16 goals.
Of those, only Dominic Solanke of Bournemouth did not play for a club that finished in the top eight.
The dynamic of the West Ham attack will change with Fullkrug leading the line rather than Antonio.
The latter is more about running in behind, while the former is a penalty-box presence who thrives off crosses.
That too will impact Bowen’s role, but we can still expect the England international to be productive in the final third – starting with the visit of Aston Villa.
⚽ Go for Jarrod Bowen to score any time at 2/1 with SBK ⚽
📺 How to watch West Ham United vs Aston Villa
- Location: London Stadium, London, England.
- Date and time: Sunday 18th August, 4.30pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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