The 2024/25 Premier League season is just around the corner and the first Saturday of the new crusade will end with West Ham facing Aston Villa.
The Villans exceeded expectations last season, finishing fourth and qualifying for Europe’s elite club festival for the first time since 1982/83.
Villa enthusiasts can’t wait for this festival to kick off next month, but Unai Emery will be focusing entirely on domestic themes for now, as Villa aims to cement its position as one of the most no-nonsense clubs in the country.
Change is up in the air at West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui selected to update David Moyes after the Scotsman’s farewell in May. The Spanish has a reshuffled squad as West Ham looks to return to continental competition.
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Home credit plays a big part in this, but West Ham haven’t lost this match since 2011, when they were still at Upton Park.
Many Hammers fans have become frustrated with Moyes towards the end of his tenure, but everyone in the home team will be fully team this weekend.
Even if West Ham were to fall behind, there would be no audible symptoms of dissent from the stands.
There is a lot up in the air with some of the club’s signings.
The newcomers come with centre-back duo Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, Manchester United’s right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, German striker Niclas Fullkrug and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, one of Leeds’ standout players in the league last season. . .
Villa have also been busy this summer, but their starting XI for this match will probably be more familiar to them than West Ham’s.
Despite Moyes’ reputation as a pragmatist, West Ham were suspect defensively last season, with the relegated trio conceding more goals.
At the same time, Moyes was unable to make the most of the attacking riches at his disposal. Lopetegui deserves to make West Ham more effective in this regard, although their groups have not traditionally played elegant football.
However, there is plenty to excite West Ham fans, and in front of their own fans on Saturday, the local aspect will be to get off to a fast start.
Even last season, which for many was a downer despite completing a respectable ninth season, West Ham temporarily emerged from the lockdowns at the London Stadium, scoring their first in 11 games, a record surpassed by only six teams.
The aforementioned Fullkrug joins the West Ham squad.
East Londoners have been looking for a suitable option for Michail Antonio for some time, with Sebastien Haller and Gianluca Scamacca among those who did not last long at West Ham despite their achievements elsewhere.
Former Borussia Dortmund striker Fullkrug could be a smart choice.
He will have no problem handling the physical aspect of English football, while his ability to play as a focal point in the penalty realm makes him compatible with a squad blessed with great creativity provided by the likes of Mo Kudus, Jarrod. Bowen and Lucas Paquetá.
Fullkrug reached the Champions League final with Dortmund last season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions, and previously had a league record of two goals with Werder Bremen.
The 31-year-old striker will score goals for West Ham this season and we like that he will open his account for rival Aston Villa.