West Ham United FC v Aston Villa

West Ham United FC v Aston Villa

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park
Date: Saturday, 18 August

TEAM NEWS
West Ham will hand a second debut to centre-back James Collins but Jack Collison is out with a knee problem.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has revealed new signings Modibo Maiga and Alou Diarra are not yet fit enough to start.

Mark Lawrenson Football Analyst "Looking at the prospects of the newly-promoted teams, It is a big ask for any of them to stay up but I can't help but feel that West Ham are in the best shape, if only because they have Sam Allardyce in charge."



MATCH PREVIEW

West Ham's return to the Premier League takes place within the shadow of the Olympic Stadium, fresh from all the excitement, euphoria and global attention of the London Games over last few weeks. The Olympic Stadium could well be West Ham's future new home if the Hammers board get their way but their first priority above anything else this season must be to stay up.

“The Olympic Stadium could well be West Ham's future new home... but their first priority above anything else must be to stay up this season”

To do this the Hammers are going to have to w**k on their home form, which was a patchy last season despite their eventual promotion. The fans also need to unite behind Sam Allardyce. Some may not like his methods but he is a man who knows what the Premier League is all about, knows how to fire up a newly-promoted side and most importantly knows how to keep clubs away from a relegation battle.

Allardyce has made eight new signings so far, three of them goalkeepers as he looks to replace loyal servant Rob Green. The experienced Jussi Jaaskelainen and Stephen Henderson will fight it out to be the club's new number one and a reliable goalkeeper is a vital for any newly-promoted side.

Resolute centre-back James Collins has returned to Upton Park from Aston Villa to strengthen the defence, while the arrivals of Alou Diarra and Mohamed Diame should add foreign industry to the British steel that already exists in the Hammers midfield. I believe another new player Modibo Maiga will eventually play as part of a front three alongside Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te.

It must surely be a more stable campaign for Aston Villa under Paul Lambert's management than they experienced during Alex McLeish's uncomfortable season-long tenure. Hiring the manager of your most fierce rivals is always risky, but especially in this case after he was relegated with Birmingham the previous year. The slate is now wiped clean and this is Lambert's Villa, although it may be small steps of recovery at first.

Lambert is a thoughtful manager, not frightened to switch his squad around. I saw Villa play a friendly at Nottingham Forest and judging by what I saw I'm expecting an adventurous 4-4-2 from them this season. Three of the four new signings over the summer have come in from Holland, continuing a trend from Lambert of unearthing gems rather than buying superstars.

I think they will need an immediate return from new centre-back Ron Vlaar, who has already endeared himself to the Villa fans and won comparisons with club legend Paul McGrath. Of the existing players I believe Charles N'Zogbia owes Villa a good season, be it on the wing or as a second striker. Stephen Ireland's role may have to adapt despite winning the club's Player of the Year title last year, while Shay Given's decision to retire from international football with the Republic of Ireland will see him dedicate more time to his club commitments and he may need to with the impressive Brad Guzan breathing down his neck.

I expect to see both sides battling it out for mid-table honours this season, with perhaps a draw the most likely result to get both their campaign up and running.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

•Half of the 16 Premier League matches Aston Villa have played at Upton Park have ended in draws.
•West Ham have won only two of their last 11 Premier League home meetings with Villa; a 2-1 triumph in 2009 and a 4-0 win in 2005.
•The home side has won on eight of nine previous between the clubs in August, including 7-2 and 5-2 West Ham wins in 1958 and 1960 respectively. The only result to buck this trend was the 2-2 draw at Villa Park in 1999.
•West Ham began their 2010-11 Premier League campaign against Aston Villa. They lost 3-0 at Villa Park and went on to be relegated at the end of the season.
West Ham

•West Ham have lost their last two opening day fixtures since beginning with a 2-0 win at Wolves three years ago.
•Sam Allardyce's West Ham ended last season with seven wins in their last nine matches and just one defeat in 21 games. This run included all three play-off matches.
•The Hammers ended the 2010-11 Premier League campaign with nine winless matches. Their last top-flight victory was a 3-0 home triumph against Stoke in March 2011.
•Allardyce is taking charge of his 324th Premier League match - the only Englishmen with more are Harry Redknapp (593) and Alan Curbishley (328).
Aston Villa

•Villa have failed to win in their last five away opening Premier League fixtures of the season, since a 1-0 victory at Newcastle in 1999.
•Aston Villa ended last season with just one victory in their last 16 league matches.
•Villa recorded just seven league wins last term, their fewest in a top-flight season since the 1890-91 campaign - when only 12 teams competed.
•Darren Bent is two away from scoring his 150th league goal. The club won only twice in 17 league matches without him last season.