Only three days after a hard fought draw against Liverpool in the FA Cup, West Ham look to regain their Premier League momentum against lowest ranked team Aston Villa as David Ironmonger reports.
The Hammers welcome the Villans to the Boleyn Ground after a 1-1 draw at Villa Park on Boxing Day. The home side have won three of their last five games and narrowly missed out on a home win against Manchester City in a thrilling 2-2 draw in their last league match.
There’s no doubt the East London club is performing well under their new manager, Slaven Bilic in their last season at Upton Park, before moving to the Olympic Stadium. A win for the Hammers, combined with Manchester United failing to win at home against Stoke would see them climb to 5th in the table, drawing closer to that dreamy Champions League qualification.
The Hammers’ newest acquisition Emmanuel Emenike looks set for his home debut, and the 28-year-old striker has scored regularly throughout his career, netting more than 80 club goals. The powerfully built Nigerian striker starred alongside fellow loan signing Victor Moses at the 2013 African Cup of Nations, collecting a winner’s medal and the golden boot with four goals and three assists. Record signing Andy Carroll will miss the game through injury but key players Payet, Moses, Antonio and Valencia are all likely to start.
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde on the other hand could be left with a rather bare bones squad due to injuries to key players. Kieran Richardson, Libor Kozak, Rudy Gestede and Carlos Sanchez are all likely to miss the game. Villa have endured a torrid campaign so far, having managed only two wins in 23 games, with 14 losses and 7 draws. The Frenchman was frustrated in his latest press conference, admitting “the position of the club is making it near impossible to sign good players.”
West Ham are in good form at home against a struggling Villa side and most football fans are tipping the Hammers to emerge as comfortable winners on Tuesday night.