West Ham United are set to travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Aston Villa are absolutely flying this season, and they will represent a tough challenge for West Ham, but we’ve been in fine form as well.
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Hammers boss David Moyes has done a fine job this season, and we’re currently sitting two places and two points below Unai Emery’s Villa in the Premier League table.
This weekend’s game is a vitally important one for both sides, as the west Midlands and London clubs fight for a place inside the top six.
However, it seems as though there is some bad news for West Ham before the game has even kicked off…
Double nightmare for West Ham after official announcement ahead of Aston Villa clash
The Premier League have named their refereeing appointments for the match-week nine fixtures.
David Coote will referee the match whilst our old friend Chris Kavanagh is on VAR duty.
This could be a long afternoon at Villa Park for us.
First up is Coote. West Ham have won only two out of 11 games that the 41-year-old has officiated for us (Transfermarkt).
Meanwhile, Aston Villa have won four out of the last six Premier League games that Coote has refereed for them (Transfermarkt).
Coote made a shocking decision back in 2020 during our 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, when he allowed an own goal by Tomas Soucek to stand despite the fact that Davinson Sanchez handled the ball before it hit the Czech Republic international (Sky Sports).
And then we have Chris Kavanagh who’s on VAR this Sunday…
Kavanagh on VAR could be a nightmare for the Hammers
West Ham have some serious history with the 38-year-old Greater Manchester-born ref.
We have lost nine of the 21 games that Kavanagh has taken charge of, and have won only seven of those (Transfermarkt).
He’s been involved in some controversial decisions when refereeing our games as well.
Hammers boss David Moyes was left fuming with Kavanagh and the VAR officials after we were denied a late penalty against Liverpool at the London Stadium back in April when Thiago clearly handled the ball inside his own box (Sky Sports).
And then he was at it again a few weeks ago, when he refused to award West Ham a spot-kick at Anfield after Jarrod Bowen was clearly brought down inside the penalty area.
Let’s not forget about the ludicrous decision that he made two-and-a-half years ago when Fabian Balbuena was sent off as well!
The Hammers lost 1-0 to Chelsea and that decision cost us dearly in the hunt for Champions League football.
I’m hoping that the referee and VAR officials are not even being spoken about after the Aston Villa vs West Ham game on Sunday. Unfortunately though, I reckon that might just be wishful thinking…
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