English Premier
2026-03-22 - Aston Villa vs West Ham United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 22nd March 2026 - Kick Off 2:15pm
This game is live on TV
Aston Villa
The experience of Unai Emery feels like it could be a difference maker for Aston Villa when it comes to negotiating the Knock Out Rounds of the Europa League, but they are in the tougher half of the draw. A Quarter Final against Bologna is coming up next month, but Emery is going to want to see his Aston Villa team put up a big Premier League effort and get their top four ambitions back on track.
They will be going into the weekend in 4th place in the Division, but Aston Villa have been in a poor run of form and could kick off as low as 6th if Liverpool and Chelsea have won fixtures scheduled to be played on Saturday. Returning to the Champions League would open up some financial doors for Aston Villa, while missing out would likely mean the sale of big name players, and the side have a 9-2-4 record at Villa Park in the top flight this season.
Aston Villa beat Lille in both Legs of the Last 16 Europa League tie, but they have failed to win any of the last 4 Premier League games and have been beaten in 3 in a row. Back to back defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United have pulled Aston Villa back into the Champions League race, while they have been beaten in 3 of the last 5 League games played at Villa Park.
Youri Tielemens will be using the March international to push to return to the squad, while Boubacar Kamara is out for the season. The manager has made changes to freshen up his team where he can and Unai Emery will likely do the same ahead of this important fixture.
West Ham United
The FA Cup run has been a welcome distraction for the fans and players, but Nuno Espirito Santo is well aware that his time in charge will be judged on whether he can keep West Ham United in the Premier League or not. Another point was earned last Saturday to keep improving on a recent positive mood around the club, but it was not quite enough to pull West Ham United out of the relegation zone.
The Hammers may remain 18th in the Premier League table, but this is a fixture played at the same time as Tottenham Hotspur facing Nottingham Forest and a win would guarantee West Ham United are out of the relegation zone through the March international break. They have a 4-4-7 record away from home and West Ham United have scored 18 goals and conceded 27 in those matches.
West Ham United's FA Cup run began with an Extra Time win over Queens Park Rangers and they have lost 2 of the last 13 games played in all competitions. Confidence of avoiding the drop has increased by the fact that West Ham United have won 3 of the last 5 away Premier League games played, although the exceptions were defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool.
Oliver Scarles will be able to travel, but Crysencio Summerville will miss out.
Head to Head
West Ham United led Aston Villa twice at the London Stadium in December, but were eventually beaten 2-3.
Aston Villa had beaten West Ham United twice in a row at home before the 1-1 draw here in January 2025.
Prediction
Playing in Europe on Thursday and then the Premier League on Sunday has always been challenging and Aston Villa have had some difficulties with the schedule.
That has not been the main reason for the recent slump in form, but Unai Emery will be pleased his team have moved through to the Europa League Quarter Final and will be hoping that gives the Aston Villa squad some momentum.
Losses to Chelsea and Manchester United have allowed teams to close and overtake Aston Villa in the standings, but they are still in control of their own destiny. Earning a return to the Champions League feels vitally important for the development of the club, and Aston Villa still have two routes to do that, but Emery will be keen to see his team snap the recent run in the top flight.
Even playing at Villa Park has not been enough to turn things back around and the fans will have to respect the recent upturn of form produced by West Ham United. The home team will need all of the support they can get against an opponent who will be happy to defend in numbers and try and spring out on the counter attack.
It has been an effective play for West Ham United and a win here would take them out of the bottom three through the international break.
The absence of Crysencio Summerville is a blow, but West Ham United have shown grit and determination and all of that was evident in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City last Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo has to be given credit for getting West Ham United into this position, but his team have been playing on the fine margins and that is an issue.
West Ham United will create chances, but Aston Villa should be confident of doing the same and this feels like a game where the home team are perhaps being a touch underestimated.
If it was priced a month ago, Aston Villa would likely have been much shorter in the market and there is enough to believe Unai Emery's team are capable of turning around recent Premier League form.
They have beaten West Ham United once this season and Aston Villa can come through another high-scoring game in this one too.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham United
