Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have revealed the big things they’ve noticed about West Ham as the duo agree about the Aston Villa result.
The Premier League kicks back into life after another tedious international break as West Ham head to Aston Villa on Sunday.
It promises to be a tightly contested match between two teams separated by just two places and two points approaching the quarter-way stage.
Going into the game West Ham have had much the better of this particular fixture in the last decade, losing just once in the Premier League to Aston Villa in 14 matches since 2013.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton on big things they’ve noticed about West Ham as duo agree about Aston Villa result
It is a very different Villa this season under Unai Emery. But the same can be said of West Ham – who have 10 points more than the same stage last season with their new-look team.
With fifth place almost certain to be a Champions League spot this season – and most seasons in UEFA’s new Swiss model given the strength of the Premier League – this is a big game between two contenders for that position.
But what do the pundits think ahead of West Ham’s trip to Aston Villa?
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have spoken about the big things they’ve noticed about West Ham as the duo agree about the Aston Villa result.
Merson says West Ham are ‘difficult to beat’ and ‘excellent on the counter attack’ while highlighting Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio as big dangers.
‘West Ham are dangerous and excellent on the counter’
Sutton notes that West Ham have ‘lots of goals in them’.
Speaking on Sportskeeda, former Aston Villa star Merson believes it will be an exciting encounter between two good sides. But he says home advantage will be key and predicts a 2-1 Villa win over the Hammers.
“This is a good game between two teams that can be unpredictable but are having very good seasons,” Merson said.
“It could go either way. Villa are going to have a go at West Ham and David Moyes would love that because West Ham are excellent on the counter.
“West Ham are difficult to beat, and the likes of Bowen and Antonio can be dangerous. Aston Villa are playing at home, however, and I’m going to back them to win this game.”
‘They have lots of goals in them’
Sutton delivered a very similar analysis on BBC Sport and predicts the same 2-1 scoreline.
“Both of these teams have made strong starts to the season and they both have lots of goals in them, so this is going to be close,” Sutton said.
“But Aston Villa have been particularly good at home, where they have scored 13 goals in three league games, and Ollie Watkins is flying at the moment – that’s why I think they will squeak this.”
The pundits are right to highlight new-look West Ham’s potency and vast improvement this season.
Because Moyes’ side have scored in every single game so far – one of only six of the 92 clubs in the entire country to do so. And West Ham have 10 points more than at the same stage last season – the biggest improvement in the Premier League by some distance.
READ ALSO
Two astonishing facts that prove West Ham are a serious team and not imposters.
West Ham simply must help ‘desperate’ Moyes if growing rumours are true.
BBC make ridiculously unfair claim about West Ham as obsession tightens grip.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
