Aston Villa vs West Ham tips and predictions: Hammers eye FA Cup win with new boss Graham Potter in charge

Aston Villa state of play

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is overseeing another quietly impressive season despite injury issues in his ranks. Villa extended their unbeaten home run in the Premier League to 10 games last Saturday with a 2-1 win over Leicester. In the Champions League, Villa remain firmly on course to reach the last 16 of the competition.

However, defensive lapses have been a recurring concern this term. And with Pau Torres and John McGinn crocked, the ex-Arsenal gaffer could weigh up a more pragmatic approach as he looks to balance Villa's midfield and keep clean sheets. 

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West Ham state of play 

After weeks of speculation, Julen Lopetegui was sacked as West Ham manager on Wednesday, having only taken over from David Moyes in May 2024. The Spaniard had been set to get the chop prior to last month's home clash against his former club Wolves. But a win in that showdown triggered a four-game unbeaten run, West Ham's best of the season.

Lopetegui failed to improve a woeful West Ham defence despite splashing the cash in the previous transfer window. The East Londoners are leaking goals at exactly the same rate as they did during the last campaign (1.95 per game). 

It will now be in the hands of new boss Graham Potter to kick-start the Hammers season, beginning with a win in the FA Cup. 

Key talking point: Will the managerial merry-go-round derail West Ham or hand them a boost? 

Lopetegui and West Ham felt like a loveless marriage at times. The Hammers possess a talented squad, although results haven't reflected that. 

They have also conceded a whopping nine goals in their last two games - albeit against Liverpool and Manchester City. It is the manner of the defeats that have caused the biggest concern though. 

Will boardroom decisions from the London Stadium bigwigs end up galvanising a misfiring group of players?   

It's worth noting that although Aston Villa edged out West Ham in August with 2-1 win, Villa haven't won consecutive clashes with the Hammers in all competitions since the 2010/11 campaign. 

FIRST’s top tip for Aston Villa vs West Ham

West Ham full time result at 63/20 (Bet442)

Extra tips

Niclas Fullkrug to score anytime at 11/4 (Zetbet)

The German international is starting to show what he's capable of. Despite West Ham's shocking showing against Manchester City last weekend, the experienced target man capped off a solid individual performance with a goal.

Both teams to score at 14/25 with (Bet442)

Aston Villa and West Ham have both been blighted by defensive issues. Villa have conceded 32 goals in the Premier League, which is more than anyone else in the top 10. West Ham, meanwhile, have shipped 39 and were battered 4-1 by Manchester City in their last outing. 

Team news

Both clubs could rotate players as they look to prioritise the Premier League. Torres and McGinn are both out for Villa. The Spanish international is sidelined for two months with a broken metatarsal, while McGinn's hamstring injury will keep him in the treatment room for up to five weeks. 

Jacob Ramsey's return from injury is a boost for Emery, but he could be rested after managing 71 minutes against Leicester.  

For West Ham, Jean-Clair Todibo and Emerson Palmieri are sidelined, with no set return date. Michail Antonio will be out of action for the rest of the season after being involved in a car crash. Jarrod Bowen, meanwhile, will be missing until March with a foot injury.

Aston Villa vs West Ham predicted line-ups

Aston Villa XI: Olsen; Cash, Mings, Konsa, Maatsen; Buendia, Kamara; Onana, Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins (4-2-3-1)

West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Kilman, Mavropanos, Wan-Bissaka; Alvarez, Soucek; Paqueta, Kudus, Summerville; Fullkrug (4-2-3-1)

Form guide (all competitions)

Aston Villa: DLWWWLWLDW

West Ham: DWLLWDDWLL

Odds correct at the time of writing.