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What are some early storylines for West Ham United v Aston Villa away?

By Jeremiah Carson

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United applauds the travelling fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United applauds the travelling fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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The international break is over, well kind of as football will be back this weekend. West Ham fans have to wait until Monday the 16th to face off against Aston Villa, a matchup that hasn’t taken place in well over 3 years.

West Ham and Aston Villa couldn’t have had more different starts to their season. The Hammers started off the month being slashed by Man City but then finished up the month with 7 points. The Villans, 3 points to their name and sitting in the relegation zone. Football is football so you never know what will happen but with that, we look at some early storylines to the upcoming matchup.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Watford FC and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on August 24, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Watford FC and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on August 24, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) /

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Game changers in the midfield

It is easy to look at the EPL table and think that West Ham and Villa are two completely different teams and you wouldn’t be wrong. However, when you look at the two squad’s midfielders, they are both without a doubt the stronghold of each team.

Out of Villa’s 8 total goals and assists, combined, the midfield has contributed 3 each.  Arguably they are the best part of this Villa team so West Ham will have their hands full on Monday night. For the Hammers, the same statement applies. Having Lanzini, Anderson, Rice, and Nobes controlling both ends of the midfield have worked miracles for the Hammers so far this season.

Haller has so far been the dominating finisher that the Hammers have needed but without their midfield pushing the game on, things would be looking a lot different. The key to getting the 3 points this week lies in the midfield and each squad’s ability to control the ball going forward.

Check-in on our FPL classic league results after a month in. light. Trending

Solid Goalkeeper play

Once again for West Ham this season Lukas Fabianski has been the solid professional that the Hammers saw since he was signed last season. On the other side of the pitch, Tom Heaton another veteran keeper that is as business casual as they come. With both clubs striving to change the fortunes of their goal differentials, the keepers in this match will have to be up to the task again this week.

Both Heaton and Fabs have a clean sheet to their name and they both have at least one howler of a match (Spurs for Heaton and City for Fabianski). The storyline here is obviously based on each keeper’s performances, but it’s also going to be how well can each team put pressure on the dude in the net?

Next. West Ham have smartly invested in Lanzini. dark

So far, West Ham’s attacking front would seem to be the better option but Villa has a solid team approach that has tested far superior teams so far this season. The EPL season is still young but things are starting to take shape. The question is, can the happy Hammers continue their form from last month and push on into the winter?