West Ham had won three successive visits to Villa Park, their longest such streak since 1967, prior to a 4-1 mauling last season, with the Villans therefore targeting back-to-back home victories over West Ham for the first time in 12 years. This'll be just their fourth FA Cup encounter, with Villa prevailing 5-0 in 1913 and 3-0 in 1977, before West Ham were 1-0 winners at Upton Park en route to winning the trophy in 1980.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United Preview
Aston Villa are seven-times FA Cup winners, although they haven't got their hands on this trophy for 68 years, but will this be the start of a memorable cup run? On Saturday, goals from Ross Barkley and then Leon Bailey saw the Claret and Blue Army beat Leicester 2-1 at home, meaning they remain eighth in the Premier League, unbeaten in ten home league games, winning four of the last five.
With Champions League games against Monaco and Celtic to come, it is a jam-packed January for Unai Emery's team, but they will still want to make progress in the FA Cup, given their miserable recent record in this competition. Having notably and ignominiously been beaten by Stevenage at this stage two seasons ago, the Villans have won only two of 11 FA Cup ties, since reaching the 2015 final, beating Wycombe Wanderers in a replay in 2016 and Middlesbrough 12 months ago, so will they avoid crashing out in round three for the eighth time in just ten years?
West Ham United meantime will be backed by 5,674 supporters on Friday night, but those making the 113 mile journey north to Birmingham will not be doing so in high-spirits, considering their team's form. At the weekend, the Irons were smashed 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad, Niclas Füllkrug's goal very much of the consolation variety, this coming six days after an embarrassing 5-0 dismantling at the hands of Liverpool at the London Stadium.
Thus, it was confirmed on Wednesday morning that manager Julen Lopetegui had been sacked, replaced by Graham Potter, who will be watching on from the stands for this one, before taking charge for the first time against Fulham on Tuesday. Meanwhile, in FA Cup terms, having been beaten by Bristol City after a replay a year ago, West Ham are seeking to avoid back-to-back third round exits for the first time since 2013, but defeat at Villa Park does appear the most-likely outcome.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 121.
- Aston Villa Wins: 40. Draws: 36. West Ham United Wins: 45.
Aston Villa Team News
Unai Emery is expected to heavily rotate here, as he did in the EFL Cup earlier this season, with priorities elsewhere. Pau Torres is set to be sidelined for two months, hence why Tyrone Mings come in at the weekend, while Kosta Nedeljković, Lamare Bogarde and Ian Maatsen will all be hoping for rare starts at the back this time. Meantime, Jhon Durán is serving the final game of his three-match ban, with Morgan Rogers also sidelined, while it'll be interesting to see if Jaden Philogene features, given that he's being heavily linked with a loan move away. In goal, Joe Gauci started both League Cup matches, so will the Aussie be donning the gloves, or will it be number two Robin Olsen who gets the nod? Lastly, John McGinn is a doubt, but Amadou Onana could be back in, having been an unused substitute last weekend.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs West Ham United: (4-2-3-1): Gauci; Nedeljković, Bogarde, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Barkley, Buendía, Tielemans, Ramsey, Watkins.
Aston Villa Player to Watch vs West Ham United
Given Durán's suspension, Ollie Watkins will lead the line, seeking to add to his eight goals so far this season, having found the net three of the last four times West Ham have visited Villa Park.
West Ham United Team News
Jarrod Bowen is sidelined long-term due to a fractured foot, joining Michail Antonio on the sidelines, while Jean-Clair Todibo and Emerson are also doubts, the former hobbling off on Saturday while the latter missed the weekend visit to Manchester. Łukasz Fabiański meantime has not been seen since suffering a concussion on Boxing Day, so Alphonse Areola could continue to deputise. If the Hammers do choose to rotate, Danny Ings could face one of his former employers, while Luis Guilherme has been a peripheral figure since arriving from Palmeiras, seeing just 38 minutes of action to date, so could he add to that?
West Ham United predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (4-5-1): Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell; Rodríguez, Souček, Kudus, Paquetá, Summerville; Füllkrug.
West Ham United Player to Watch vs Aston Villa
Niclas Füllkrug scored his second goal for West Ham last weekend, both coming as consolations during heavy away defeats so far, hoping that trend will change in the Midlands.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United Prediction
It's tough to tell until the team news drops, but we're backing Aston Villa for victory. The Villans are very strong at home, while West Ham are pretty underwhelming everywhere, so the home side have to be strong favourites to reach round four: Aston Villa 3-1 West Ham United.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United FAQs - FA Cup
How to watch Aston Villa vs West Ham United FA Cup game on TV channel?
Aston Villa vs West Ham United FA Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: ITV1
- USA: ESPN+
- Canada: Sportsnet World Now
How to watch Aston Villa vs West Ham United FA Cup game on live streaming?
Aston Villa vs West Ham United FA Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: ITVX
- USA: ESPN+
- Canada: Sportsnet World Now
What is the date and kick-off time for Aston Villa vs West Ham United in the FA Cup?
Aston Villa vs West Ham United takes place on Friday 10 January 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).