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Natalie Sawyer predicts scare for defences in West Ham v Aston Villa Halloween clash
Natalie Sawyers expects a “fright” for both defences on Sunday afternoon, but the talkSPORT host backs West Ham to claim all three points at Aston Villa.
West Ham make the trip to Villa Park today safe in the knowledge that a win will see them draw level with third-placed Manchester City on 20 points in the Premier League table, and just five points behind leaders Chelsea.
The home side, meanwhile, have lost their last three games, and could even slip to 16th with a heavy defeat against the Irons.
While Sawyer doesn’t expect there to be too much between the sides today, she predicts West Ham to pick up a third successive Premier League victory.
“I think it’s going to be a difficult, difficult day for Villa,” Sawyer said on a video shared on the Boyle Sports Twitter account.
“I do think both teams will get on the scoresheet, I think it will be a bit of a fright night – because it’s Halloween – for both defences as well.
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“I just think West Ham might have a bit too much for Villa and come away with the victory in this one.”
Three-in-a-row?
West Ham should be confident of victory today, particularly with last season’s meetings in mind.
The Irons won both games against the Villains during the 2020/21 campaign, with February’s 3-1 success at Villa Park the highlight of the two as Manchester United loan star Jesse Lingard announced himself with a second-half brace after Tomas Soucek opened the scoring.
Villa are now without Jack Grealish after his £100million summer switch to Manchester City, and new signing Emiliano Buendia is yet to spark into life since his move from Norwich City, scoring just once in seven Premier League outings so far.
However, David Moyes is surely wary of an angry Villa today after their capitulation at Arsenal last week, and his team must be on their guard to resist an early onslaught.
In other West Ham news, the Irons want to sign this ‘Brilliant’ £25.3m-rated South-American centre-mid who won a major 2021 tournament.
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