West Ham vs Aston Villa: December 14 Showdown for Winning Streak

The upcoming match between West Ham and Aston Villa on December 14 is generating significant excitement. Under the management of Nuno Santo, West Ham has shown marked improvement on the pitch. After a difficult start, the team has lost only one of its last six fixtures, with two victories and three draws. This turnaround has helped them climb out of the relegation zone momentarily.

Current Standings and Challenges

As of the 16th round, West Ham sits at 13 points, just two points shy of Nottingham Forest and Leeds United above them. Despite a recent push from Leeds, the London team still has chances to escape the bottom of the table. A home victory against Aston Villa would significantly enhance West Ham’s standings.

Aston Villa’s Form and Momentum

Aston Villa enters this match as one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League. A recent 2-1 victory over Arsenal marks a high point for manager Unai Emery’s squad. This triumph exemplifies their attacking prowess and confidence on the field.

• The team has secured 9 wins in their last 10 matches.
• Aston Villa currently ranks third in the Premier League.
• They are just three points behind Arsenal and two points ahead of Manchester City.

European Competition Success

Aston Villa’s success extends beyond domestic competitions. In the Europa League, the team has won 5 out of 6 matches thus far, positioning themselves favorably for the knockout stages.

Historical Context: West Ham vs Aston Villa

Historically, Aston Villa has had the upper hand in recent encounters with West Ham. In their last five meetings, Villa has won three times and drawn twice. However, during their last ten visits to the London Stadium, they have struggled, achieving only one win along with five draws and four losses.

Team News for the December 14 Match

West Ham

• Lukasz Fabianski remains sidelined due to injury.

Aston Villa

• Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings are absent due to injuries.

Probable Lineups

This promising showdown on December 14 will be crucial for both teams as they aim to maintain their winning streaks and improve their standings in the Premier League.