Two of the Premier League's fast starters clash on Sunday as Aston Villa welcome West Ham United to the Midlands.
In the only Sunday match this weekend, Villa will look to steal a march on the top four and add to their impressive 16 points from their opening eight matches — their highest such tally since the 2009/10 campaign.
Unai Emery's side have also won each of their past 10 home Premier League outings at Villa Park, their longest such run since 1983. They smashed Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 last time out at this venue, and they look to be in confident mood.
But West Ham have equally had a solid start to their own campaign. They sit just two places and two points behind Villa ahead of the weekend's action and will be looking to extend their own impressive undefeated streak against these opponents, which stands at 10 straight top-flight head-to-head games.
MORE: English Premier League table 2023/24: Updated EPL standings
Aston Villa vs West Ham match facts
- Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. BST
- Location: Villa Park (Birmingham, England)
- Official: David Coote
- Last meeting: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa (March 12, 2023 — Premier League)
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Aston Villa vs West Ham prediction, odds
- Full-time result: Aston Villa to win (10/11)
- Score prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham
| AVL win | Draw | WHU win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnSports (UK) | 10/11 | 57/20 | 29/10 | 12/25, 29/20 | 11/20, 7/5 |
Aston Villa vs West Ham best bet
- Pick: Over 2.5 goals scored
- Odds: 11/20 (BetOnSports)
Considering that the previous two matches between these sides have failed to get over 2.5 goals scored, at 11/20 there isn't much value here. That said, when looking at both side's league seasons so far, it seems a no-brainer that that will change this time around.
Both of these teams have seen plenty of action in their matches this campaign. Villa are the third-highest scorers in the Premier League after the first eight matchdays, with 19 strikes to their name, while both Villa and West Ham continue to look leaky at the back. With 12 goals conceded each in eight matches, only Brighton have allowed more out of the teams sitting in the top 10 ahead of this weekend.
On top of that, West Ham have seen both sides score in seven of their eight league outings this season, whilst Villa have witnessed that in five of their eight.
Aston Villa vs West Ham smart bet
- Pick: Moussa Diaby to score anytime
- Odds: 8/5 (BetOnSports)
Given his stunning start across the board with Aston Villa, it won't come as a surprise that Moussa Diaby's odds to score in this latest outing are low. At 8/5 to score anytime, it doesn't represent the best value for money, but we're expecting him to add to his tally here.
Across eight English top-flight matches, the French winger has recorded five goal contributions, two of which have seen him hit the back of the net himself. Both have previously come on the road against Newcastle United and Burnley, but given his frequency at attempting shots — 18 recorded in eight matches, eight of which have been on target — we fancy him to get on the scoresheet for the first time at Villa Park here.
If you want to take the selection that step further, Diaby is 5/1 to open the scoring in this match with 10bet.
