Aston Villa vs West Ham prediction: Ollie Watkins up for the cup
Aston Villa vs West Ham betting tips
The build-up to this one has been dominated by speculation surrounding the future of West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, with the Hammers firing the Spaniard on Wednesday before the trip to Aston Villa on Friday night in the FA Cup (8pm, ITV1).
The way his future has been played out in the media has created a distraction to the team, with results not meeting the required level since David Moyes’ departure.
Both the board and fans couldn’t wait for the former Manchester United and Everton manager to leave in the summer but be careful what you wish for.
Lopetegui had been under pressure previously, particularly before the Premier League match with Wolves. Yet they won that match 2-1 and went on to pick up five points from their next three games, their best run of the season so far.
But two defeats from their last two matches, against Liverpool and Manchester City leaves the Hammers in a tricky spot, conceding nine goals and scoring just one, forcing the club to make a decisive change.
The FA Cup provides a change of scenery though, with Unai Emery eager to inspire a cup run for the hosts here. But who will advance to the fourth round?
Aston Villa vs West Ham betting preview: Villa to reach the fourth round
The speculation at the London Stadium won’t have distracted the home side one little bit and they will solely be focused on reaching the fourth round when the action finally gets underway on Friday night.
After losing seven consecutive FA Cup third-round matches between 2016-17 and 2022-23, Villa finally broke their third-round hoodoo last season when they beat Middlesbrough 1-0 thanks to a goal three minutes from time from Matty Cash. They were then knocked out in the next round, going down 3-1 at home to Chelsea in a replay after drawing the initial tie 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Villa are unbeaten in their last four matches with the Hammers and beat them 2-1 on the opening day of the season at the London Stadium. Lucas Paqueta scored from the penalty spot, for the home side, to cancel out an early strike from Amadou Onana before Jhon Duran scored his first of 12 goals scored this season.
Duran won’t be able to add to that tally on Friday as he sits out the third game of his suspension after being sent off against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Football betting sites understandably have Villa as favourites for the tie at 7/10, while you can get 15/4 on West Ham to win in 90 minutes and 7/2 on a draw.
The fact that West Ham have lost their biggest attacking threats in Michail Antonio and captain Jarrod Bowen, means goals are going to be hard to come by while Villa have only failed to score at home three times in all competitions this season.
You can get 13/10 from betting apps on both teams not to score but we’re going for a simple Villa to win by one goal, especially when the odds are as good as 11/4.
After a busy few weeks of action and one less day to recover both managers might use this one as a game to rest players in, so we’re not expecting a classic but do fancy Villa to sneak through and be in the draw for the fourth round.
Aston Villa vs West Ham prediction 1: Villa to win by one goal - 11/4 Betway
Watkins to be the hero
Ollie Watkins has a pretty good record against West Ham, with four goals and one assist in nine appearances and with Duran due back from suspension next week he will be desperate to impress and keep his place in the starting eleven.
The season hasn’t quite gone according to plan for the England striker who has scored just eight goals in his 26 appearances and has been massively overshadowed by his fellow striker.
At this stage last season he already had 15 goals to his name and with a new international boss to impress as well he will want to get back to his best.
He scored from the penalty spot in the 2-2 draw with Brighton and betting sites have him at 4/1 to score first or last, or you can get 11/8 on him scoring anytime.
Aston Villa vs West Ham prediction 2: Watkins to score anytime - 11/8 BetMGM
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