West Ham host Aston Villa in the opening game of their 2024/2025 campaign, and both sides head into the contest with high ambitions and having been active in the transfer window so far.
The Hammers in particular have brought in a fair few players to bolster the squad as they look to improve on last season's ninth place finish.
Match Preview
West Ham United
West Ham have spent the money during the summer transfer window, with the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all coming in to strengthen the backline.
West Ham Recent Form
West Ham will be starting their Premier League campaign after a pretty mixed pre-season, where they showed promise but also exposed some areas for improvement.
Under the new management of Julen Lopetegui, West Ham is in a transitional phase, adapting to a more possession-based style of play.
The Hammers are adapting to a new possession-based style under new manager Julen Lopetegui, and with the arrival of quite a few new players they'll be trying to navigate a transitional phase on multiple fronts.
West Ham Injury News
No significant injuries have been reported for West Ham as of writing, which allows Lopetegui to deploy a full-strength squad in their opening Premier League match.
Aston Villa
Villa managed a historic fourth place finish in the Premier League last season, and the additions of Amadou Onana (£50m, Everton), Ian Maatsen (£38m, Chelsea), Samuel Iling-Junior (£12m, Juventus), Lewis Dobbin (£9m, Everton), Enzo Barrachenea (£7m, Juventus), Ross Barkley (£5m, Luton Town), Cameron Archer (£14m, Sheffield United) and Jaden Philogene (£13m, Hull City) will bolster the squad that will now need to compete domestically and in Europe.
Aston Villa Recent Form
Aston Villa, fresh from their historic fourth-place finish last season, will be fighting on more fronts this season with the Champions League being the major new addition to their schedule.
Villa proved during the 23/24 season that they could be one of the most tactically innovative teams in the Premier League under Unai Emery, who has balanced defensive solidity with a dynamic attacking approach going forward.
Aston Villa Injury News
Aston Villa have avoided any major injuries leading up to this match as of writing, meaning that Emery too can lead with his strongest side in the opening game of the season.
Player To Watch
West Ham Player To Watch
Lucas Paquetá is expected to be a key player for West Ham this season, especially in the creative midfield role under Lopetegui’s system.
His ability to unlock defences will be crucial in breaking down Villa's solid backline if the Hammers are going to have a chance of winning this opener.
Aston Villa Player To Watch
Amadou Onana, Villa’s new midfield signing, is the player from the West Midlands side to keep an eye on.
His physical presence and ability to drive forward with the ball could be a deciding factor in the outcome of this opening game.
Prediction
I'm expecting this to be a cagey and close affair to open the season, especially as the Hammers are still adjusting to Lopetegui’s system. Villa could come out of the blocks early and on the front foot, but I've got a feeling they will be tentative away from home to start the season.
My Prediction: West Ham 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Betting Angle
I think 1-1 seems like a sensible prediction, with Betway currently offering 3.52 as the odds for a draw as well as under 2.5 goals at 2.26, meaning we're probably in for a tight game.
Aston Villa 
West Ham 
