West Ham vs Aston Villa tips and predictions: Visitors could sneak an action-packed game

West Ham are peaking at just the right time. The 2-2 draw at home to Burnley was a setback, but they went well in the second half and carried that form into Europe.

David Moyes’ side thrashed Freiburg 5-0 on Thursday, landing our prediction of West Ham -1 Asian handicap and winning to nil, but making mince meat of under 2.5 goals.

Aston Villa nearly matched that result with a thumping 4-0 win over Ajax as they secured comfortable passage to the Europa Conference League quarter-finals.

Ollie Watkins scored in the 25th minute to set the Villans on their way to the perfect response after losing 4-0 to Tottenham at the weekend.

That blip aside, Unai Emery’s team had won four of five in the Premier League and looked back to their best goalscoring form. Likewise, the Hammers are finding the net frequently.

 

 

They’ve scored two or more in four of their last five with Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohamed Kudus striking at least twice.

Goals have become the norm at the London Stadium with 21 across the last four matches and Villa’s recent away form isn’t too dissimilar.

There have been 28 goals in their last eight on the road, making for an average of 3.5 goals per game with seven featuring over 2.5 goals.

The price of over 2.5 isn’t tempting so we can either combine it with both teams to score or take a chance on over 3.5 goals, which has landed in each of West Ham’s last four.

Another notable trend is the Irons have conceded first in six of their previous seven. On the other hand, Villa have scored first in four of five away from home.

 

Team news

Maxwel Cornet is the only confirmed absentee for West Ham but Emerson Palmieri is doubtful.

Michail Antonio recently returned and made his physical presence felt as he led the line on Thursday.

The big news from a Villa perspective is they lost Ollie Watkins to a first-half injury in the Europa Conference League so he faces a late fitness test., as does Jacob Ramsey.

Boubacar Kamara, Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos and John McGinn (suspension) are unavailable.

 

Key stats

- There have been over 3.5 goals in West Ham’s last four home games
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of West Ham’s last six Premier League games
- There have been over 2.5 goals in nine of Aston Villa’s last 10 matches
- Over 3.5 goals has landed in Aston Villa’s last three Premier League matches

 

Suggested bets

Aston Villa: Draw no bet

Aston Villa to score first

Over 3.5 goals