Aston Villa will host West Ham United in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Villa Park. This encounter sees two Premier League clubs meet in a competition that could see significant changes to both sides’ lineups as they aim to progress to the next stage of the prestigious tournament. The match also marks the debut of Graham Potter as the new manager of West Ham following the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui.
Aston Villa’s Strong Start and Current Form
Aston Villa has had an impressive season in the Premier League under the management of Unai Emery. The Villans, despite a few stumbles in recent weeks, are in a strong position and currently sit eighth in the league table. They will be looking to build on their recent 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League, which ended a two-game winless streak. This victory, secured by Leon Bailey’s match-winning goal, was crucial in maintaining their top-half status.
Villa’s league form has been largely positive, with standout wins against the likes of Manchester City, but they also suffered a heavy defeat to Newcastle United, which highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities. The team is generally strong at home, and with the FA Cup providing an opportunity for rotation, Emery might opt to make changes, but he will likely field a competitive lineup against West Ham to ensure a strong performance.
West Ham’s New Beginning Under Graham Potter
West Ham United will enter the match under the guidance of their new manager, Graham Potter. The 49-year-old former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager replaced Julen Lopetegui, whose tenure at the club was cut short after a series of disappointing results. Potter will be looking to make an immediate impact, but his first match in charge of the Hammers is far from an easy one, with West Ham visiting a strong Villa side at Villa Park.
West Ham’s form has been inconsistent, and they’ve endured some heavy losses, including a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool. Their most recent match, a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, further emphasized the defensive frailties that have plagued them throughout the season. Potter’s task will be to instill confidence in the squad and make adjustments to improve both their defensive solidity and attacking output. However, West Ham’s challenges go beyond form, as they face multiple injuries to key players, which will limit Potter’s options for his starting XI.
Key Head-to-Head Record: Aston Villa vs West Ham
The recent head-to-head record between Aston Villa and West Ham shows that the Villans have had the upper hand in this fixture. Villa won the most recent Premier League encounter 2-1 at the London Stadium in August 2024, with goals from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey securing all three points. Over the last five meetings, Villa has recorded two wins, while West Ham has managed just one victory. There have also been two draws, highlighting the competitive nature of this fixture.
Last Five Meetings
- August 17, 2024: West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
- April 10, 2024: Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham (Premier League)
- November 27, 2023: West Ham 0-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
- August 5, 2023: Aston Villa 3-1 West Ham (Premier League)
- February 22, 2023: West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Despite the competitive nature of their recent meetings, Aston Villa’s superior form in the league suggests they will go into this FA Cup clash as the favorites.
Aston Villa Team News and Predicted Lineup
Unai Emery’s side will be missing a few key players for this FA Cup tie. Midfielder John McGinn will not feature due to a hamstring injury sustained during the win against Leicester. Additionally, Villa will be without Pau Torres, who is sidelined with a foot injury. Diego Carlos is also a doubt after being linked with a potential move away from the club in the January transfer window. Jhon Duran is serving the final match of his three-game suspension after being sent off against Newcastle, so he will not be available for selection.
Despite these absentees, Villa has a strong squad, and Emery will likely field a competitive lineup for this fixture. Given the importance of the FA Cup for a club like Villa, who are looking to secure European qualification, Emery will not take the game lightly and will likely choose a strong starting XI.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
- Defenders: Mees Maatsen, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Leandro Bogarde
- Midfielders: Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans
- Attacking Midfielders: Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers
- Forward: Ollie Watkins
West Ham Team News and Predicted Lineup
Graham Potter has a number of injury concerns to contend with ahead of his first match in charge of West Ham. Jarrod Bowen, one of West Ham’s most dynamic players, will be absent due to a fractured foot. His loss is a significant blow, as he is a key contributor in both attack and wide play. Additionally, Michail Antonio is recovering from a broken leg sustained in a car accident, leaving West Ham without their primary striker. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is also sidelined due to a head injury, with Alphonse Areola set to take his place between the sticks.
Emerson, who missed the 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, remains a doubt for this match, and Jean-Clair Todibo, who was injured in the same fixture, could also miss out. With such a depleted squad, Potter may have to make some tactical adjustments and could opt to make changes in the hope of providing a fresh spark to the team.
West Ham Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
- Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Midfielders: Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez
- Attacking Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville
- Forward: Niclas Fullkrug
Aston Villa vs West Ham Score Prediction
Considering the current form and the strength of the two teams, Aston Villa is the favorite going into this FA Cup tie. The Villans are strong at home and have been consistent in their league performances this season. West Ham, on the other hand, has been struggling with injuries and has shown significant defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in recent heavy defeats to teams like Manchester City and Liverpool.
With a new manager in charge, West Ham may show some improvement, but it is unlikely that Potter will be able to make drastic changes in such a short time. Villa has the momentum, especially after their recent victory over Leicester City, and they will be confident in securing a win at Villa Park. A comprehensive 3-1 victory for Aston Villa seems a reasonable prediction, with West Ham likely to struggle against the attacking threats of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, and Emi Buendia.
How to Watch Aston Villa vs West Ham
For those wanting to catch the action live, here are the broadcast details:
United Kingdom:
- ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV Player, UTV
United States:
- ESPN+, ESPN App
Canada:
- Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now Plus
Conclusion
Friday’s FA Cup third-round match between Aston Villa and West Ham United promises to be an exciting encounter, albeit one where Villa will go in as the favorites. With a solid team, good form, and home advantage, they will look to secure their place in the next round of the competition. Meanwhile, West Ham, under the guidance of Graham Potter, will be hoping for a positive start to his tenure, though they face a difficult challenge given their injury crisis and inconsistent performances. Expect Villa to edge this one, with a 3-1 victory likely.
