West Ham vs Aston Villa Prediction: Villans are on the charge

Last weekend's win against Arsenal was a monumental one for Aston Villa as it pulled them into the Premier League title race. They are on an eight-game winning run in all competitions, and they travel to West Ham United in the league on Sunday (14:00 GMT, Sky Sports Tennis).

The Irons have drawn their last two matches in the top flight heading into this clash. Below are my West Ham vs Aston Villa predictions, accompanied by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Oliver Scarles may be back in training for West Ham but it looks like it will be a couple of weeks before he returns to action. Lukasz Fabianski is still dealing with a back injury so Alphonse Areola will continue in net for the Hammers.

Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson have scored four league goals apiece this term and the pair should feature in attack. It's increasingly likely that Niclas Fullkrug will be sold or loaned out in the January transfer window.

Premier League Odds

Harvey Elliott could return to Liverpool from Aston Villa in January as this transfer has not worked as many would have expected, with the midfielder struggling to make the matchday squad constantly.

Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Ross Barkley (knee) remain absent for the visitors due to injury.

Today's Football Fixtures

West Ham vs Aston Villa Odds

West Ham have won two of their last three league games at home, and they are 5/2 to end Villa's winning run.

The Irons have drawn their previous two appearances in the top flight and the stalemate is valued at 13/5.

Villa are 1/1 (50% implied probability) to collect the three points, which they have done in each of their past five league appearances.

Ollie Watkins bagged a brace in his last away trip in the Premier League and he is 11/8 to strike anytime on Sunday.

Match Result - Aston Villa @ 1/1

Villa have so much momentum behind them right now and last weekend's victory has put them in the title race. The Villans should be full of confidence at the moment and it doesn't even look like they are at their best level yet, so they could have a chance of being in the running for the title for the rest of the campaign.

An eight-game winning streak at any level is impressive so for this to be across the Premier League and Uefa Champions League is pretty special. Unai Emery's side head to the London Stadium hoping to make it nine on the bounce and with how things are going for them at the moment, would you back against them?

The Hammers are improving under Nuno Espirito Santo but they are going to find it very difficult against Villa, who are the form side in the division. The visitors will look to capitalise on West Ham's poor home form, which is the second-worst in the top flight.

They may have won two of their last three here, but the Irons have suffered five defeats at the London Stadium this season. Essentially, this is a free hit for Villa who are flying.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 8/11

The hosts can make this battle interesting, though, which could ask questions of Villa. I like the look of covering BTTS - Yes because both teams have scored in six of West Ham's last seven appearances in the Premier League.

This has also been a successful bet in three of Villa's past four outings in the league, two of which came away from home - against Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

On the road, there have been goals at both ends in four of Villa's previous five fixtures in the Premier League, and I do believe we will see this trend continue against West Ham.

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