Green Street Hammers staff predict: West Ham United vs Aston Villa away

I think it goes without saying that everyone around West Ham is excited for football to be back. The Hammers close out match week 5 with a Monday night football clash against Aston Villa.

For starters, optimism around West Ham is high, and it should be! The hammers are “flying high” and playing the part. This is the return visit for the beloved Robert Snodgrass to Villa Park, I’m sure that will play on his and many others minds. For us, the optimism is always high so let’s take a look at how the staff felt this week went.

Adam (3-2 Win)

This one has goals written all over it, and with it, I think a solid West Ham win. As for the Hammers, a likely unchanged team who shut out Norwich will try to hold the Villans to the same level of competition, but I think Wesley and Grealish will challenge the team. I gave Villa two goals based on these two players attacking, but to be honest, Fabianski has a shot at another clean sheet here.

The Hammers will look to lock down possession and not force the attack when it isn’t there. That means more passing from Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini and hopefully some electric finishing from Sebastien Haller and Andriy Yarmolenko. I give them one apiece and a Mark Noble penalty to close it out.

Jay (2-1 Win)

Villa Park is a tough away ground to get all 3 points at, however, I think West Ham will be able to get the job done. Issa Diop keeps up his solid play at the back, Anderson and Lanzini will terrorize the Villa defense, and Haller will snag another Premier League goal as the Irons keep their unbeaten run going with a tough, nerve-racking victory on Monday night, COYI!

George (3-1 Win)

I think it will be 3-1 to West Ham. Haller double and Lanzini gets his first goal of the season. COME ON YOU IRONS!

Jeff (3-1 Win)

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A grand total of 3 goals separate West Ham and Villa after the first four-match weeks of the season. 3 goals mean the difference between the 7th or 18th. Slim margins in this league early on. Aston Villa is a tougher opponent at home winning 7 of their last 9 at Villa Park.

I think Villa comes into this match with a point to prove to themselves and intent on slowing West Ham down. As is the case most weeks with teams slugging it out below the top two in the table; this one is going to be tight. The Irons need to take their chances to secure all three points. Otherwise, it could be some tough sledding for them.

Although West Ham does come into this match building their confidence as winners of their last three in all competitions. Hopefully, the first international break didn’t come at the wrong time for the Hammers and slow down or stop what Manual Pellegrini has been growing. Striker Sebastian Haller and Midfielder Manuel Lanzini have been the keys to West Ham’s attacking play and I look for that to continue here.

On the other end, it seems that the back four is settled at the moment with Masuaku, Ogbonna, Diop, and Fredericks. I am not looking for any changes to the starting XI in this one, barring a knock someone has picked up. My confidence in the club is building too. I’ll ride this wave until their play tells me not to.

Louis (3-1 Win)

There’s no doubt that this is the type of bumpy fixture that we have historically tripped up in, but I think I’ve seen enough over the last couple of games to give me cause for optimism.

If our attack continues the way it has been clicking since the Watford game, I’m sure we’ll prove too much for Villa, even at a boisterous Villa Park.

There’s no doubt that we’ll come under pressure at times, though, and that’s why I don’t think we’ll keep a clean sheet.

Jeremiah (2-0 Win)

So I guess it’s up to me to finish this out. As previously noted and the known optimism of the above writers, West Ham should win this easily or easy enough. I too share the same level of optimism as the team and the staff here at GSH.

Although I think the Villa midfield will cause some havoc, the hammers midfield will prevail again. Between Lanzini and Anderson, they should put it in the bag early. West Ham get another three points and Fabianski gets another clean sheet, COYI!

Once again it looks as if we all agree (it’s a shocker I know). It all goes down this evening or morning or afternoon, depending on where you live, so be sure to tune in and watch this exciting matchup!