Aston Villa - West Ham United predictions and free betting tips [22/10/2023]

On Sunday, 22nd October, as part of the 9th Premier League round, Aston Villa will host West Ham. Before the international break for national team selection, Unai Emery's team drew 1:1 against Wolverhampton, simultaneously, David Moyes' protégés shared points in a thriller against Newcastle (2:2). 

Probable Lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Cash, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.
West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Antonio.

Stadium

The match will take place in Birmingham at Villa Park.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa, since appointing Unai Emery as head coach last season, has demonstrated high productivity and once again aspires to fight for European places in the current campaign. The Birmingham-based team had a promising start to the season and currently occupies fifth place in the Premier League table, earning 16 points in eight rounds. After losing to Liverpool (3:0), the hosts have remained unbeaten in four consecutive games (3 wins and 1 draw): victories against Crystal Palace (3:1), Chelsea (0:1) and Brighton (6:1), while the last round produced a draw against Wolverhampton (1:1).

Hwang Hee-chan's fifth goal of the season provided an opportunity for Wolves to gain a slight advantage, and just two minutes later, Watkins put central defender Pau Torres in a striking position to restore parity on the scoreboard. Aston Villa's Europa League campaign kicked off with a loss against Legia Warsaw, followed by a 1:0 win over Zrinjski.  It's also worth noting: a full 12 months have passed since Villa last failed to find the back of the net at home. 

West Ham

After winning the Europa League last spring and only securing 14th place in the Premier League, West Ham is hopeful of an improved domestic league performance this season and currently sits in 7th place in the table. Having remained undefeated in the first four rounds, the Hammers were then defeated by Manchester City and Liverpool, both with an identical 3:1 score. However, after these losses, the Londoners rehabilitated themselves, consecutively defeating Sheffield United (2:0); they then drew with Newcastle at home (2:2). Moyes' charges took the lead thanks to a precise shot from Tomas Soucek, then Alexander Isak scored a brace in the second half, and only a goal from Mohammed Kudus at the very end of the game restored parity on the scoreboard. The blues and burgundies in the Europa League are unstoppable, winning their first two matches (against Backa Topola and Freiburg).

Four out of West Ham's last five away matches have ended in a win for the London team. The visitors continue to miss the injured left lateral Cresswell and reserve defender Benjamin Johnson. Moyes can count on an optimal lineup this weekend. Starters will definitely include winger Bowen (5 goals and 1 assist) and crucial summer addition Ward-Prowse (2 goals and 3 assists). Ghanaian winger Kudus, who has frequently come off the bench since his off-season transfer, has earned the right to start after scoring against Newcastle. Regardless of a lengthy flight from their national squad, Mexican Edson Alvarez and Jamaican Michail Antonio will also attack.

Head-to-Head Matchups

The last 10 matches against the Hammers have not resulted in a win for Villa - with the Londoners coming away victorious in their last three visits to Villa Park. Last season, West Ham emerged stronger with a 0:1 victory in Birmingham.

Match Prediction: Aston Villa vs West Ham

Clearly, West Ham's phenomenal recent results against Villa give Moyes' squad an edge. The hosts will be weakened by Zaniolo's disqualification, however, the Birmingham team, even without the Italian, have been highly noteworthy in their home games this season. Both are capable of vying for a Euro zone, therefore my bet is for a draw.

Over/Under Total Prediction

In six out of the last seven head-to-head encounters, the teams have exchanged goals. I expect a repetition of such a scenario this Sunday.

Corner Prediction

The teams are poised to attack extensively and have a number of large players in their squads, therefore a plethora of corners is inevitable (total over 9.5).

Booking Prediction

On average, Villa earns 3 yellow cards per game in this season, while West Ham earns 2.5. I'm placing my bet on an accumulated total of more than 4.5 bookings.

Predicted Score

I'm placing a bet on a 1:1 exact score.