Pundit Paul Merson delivers West Ham United top four verdict as he predicts the result of this Sunday’s Aston Villa clash.
High-flying West Ham travel to Villa Park looking to consolidate their place in the Premier League’s top four.
The Hammers are aiming to make it three Prem wins in a row – and five in all competitions – after victories at Everton and at home against Tottenham.
Aston Villa meanwhile have lost their last three games and Dean Smith finds himself under pressure.
David Moyes has worked wonders at West Ham. The Hammers narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot by a single win last season.
And this term West Ham are showing they are no flash in the pan.
The east Londoners flying high in fourth place in the Premier League, they are one win from the Europa League last 16 and into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after famous victories over Manchester United and Manchester City.
West Ham beat Villa 3-1 at Villa Park last season on what was Jesse Lingard’s breathtaking debut.
And now pundit, and former Aston Villa star Merson, has predicted another win for West Ham in this weekend’s clash – even if he did make a bit of a mistake over West Ham’s recent results.
Merson also delivers his verdict on West Ham’s top four hopes this season, backing Moyes’s men to pull it off (SportsKeeda).
Paul Merson delivers West Ham top four verdict as he predicts result of Aston Villa clash
“Aston Villa have been very hit-and-miss this month,” Merson told SportsKeeda.
“They were really disappointing against Arsenal, and they ended up bringing off all the players they bought in the second half. They’re your best players – keep them on, no matter what happens!
West Ham, on the other hand, will be looking at a top-four finish this season. They were poor against Brentford last week, but they bounced straight back against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
“They’re moving along nicely in the top four after 10 games, and I’m going to go with a West Ham victory this weekend. Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham United.”
Of course West Ham fans will be quick to point out they played Brentford before the international break and have beaten Everton away and Genk and Tottenham at home since then as well as Man City.
But we’ll take Merson’s positive prediction at face value nontheless.
Come. On. You. Irons.