West Ham entertain Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday but what David Moyes may leave fans frustrated.
West Ham have plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of the clash with Aston Villa.
David Moyes has a near fully fit squad for the visit of Unai Emery’s Villa.
West Ham have only lost once in their last 11 meetings with Aston Villa.
And Villa are set to be without three of their best players at the London Stadium too.
Throw in the fact Aston Villa have lost their last four league games against teams in the top half and West Ham – especially being at home – should approach the game looking to win.
Plenty of reason for Hammers to be confident vs Villa
But what Moyes has said about Aston Villa and Emery does not bode well for West Ham fans.
Hammers supporters have been pleading for the Scot to play a more attacking line-up and to stop showing the opposition too much respect.
Fans have wanted Moyes to take the handbrake off, particularly at home.
When he has done that against Brentford and Freiburg of late, it has resulted in 4-2 and 5-0 wins.
Moyes dropped James Ward-Prowse to bring Michail Antonio into the side for Freiburg.
That meant the Hammers had the forward spearheading an attack alongside the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Moyes respect for Villa may be reflected in approach
But ahead of facing Villa, Moyes’ assessment of the opposition suggests he may revert to being more conservative and risk averse again.
There were the usual pre-match platitudes from the manager.
It is his respect for Villa and Emery that suggests West Ham may approach the crunch clash for the Euro places with caution.
“They are a very good side,” Moyes said on the club’s website.
“The manager is doing a brilliant job. He has got them in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, which is a great achievement as well.
“They are knocking on the door of Champions League football as well, so they have done a great job, and it will be a really tough game against Aston Villa.”
West Ham must keep attacking momentum
Of course Moyes has to guard against Villa’s threats and qualities.
But Spurs showed last week that Villa can be got at defensively if you attack them aggressively and with purpose.
Without suspended captain John McGinn they are lacking a huge presence too.
Moyes must go for it. It was only a week ago that West Ham’s passive approach against Burnley at home saw them 2-0 down and booed off at half-time.
How West Ham played in the second half and against Freiburg is what fans want to see vs Villa.
READ ALSO
You won’t believe who Leverkusen are playing and it’s ideal for West Ham
Journalist: Striker with 142 goals at just 24 on West Ham’s radar as Antonio heir
Rice shows class with message to West Ham star
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
