Brian Dear: West Ham are in a good place right now

Yellow Sports Brian Jeeves will be at Villa Park for Aston Villa’s Premier League clash with West Ham United – Monday, September 16 (8pm)  #VILvWHU

Aston Villa v West Ham United – Preview:

BRIAN DEAR is pretty satisfied with what he is seeing at West Ham United at the moment.

The Hammers have bounced back from their opening day inhalation at the hands of Manchester City with seven points from nine, leaving them handily placed in the Premier League ahead of Monday nights tripe to Aston Villa.

“We are in a good place right now,” Dear told Yellow Sport.

“The team are looking well balanced, confident and playing some exciting football. I think the international break came at the wrong time for us. We are on a bit of a roll.

“Aston Villa perhaps haven’t picked up the results they deserve so far. They have found the Premier League to be quite ruthless, something they will need to adapt to. However, I think we now have that extra incentive to stay in the top half of the table, and with Manchester United coming next, everyone will want that positive vibe to continue.”

Dear expected a tough test at Villa Park but expected the Hammers to negotiate it professionally, adding: “They have some very good players like the boy McGinn and Jack Grealish. In Tom Heaton, they have a top goalkeeper, while Tyrone Mings will be on a high after his England call-up.

“But West Ham showed, particularly against Watford, that they are now able to defuse a game. Defensively we are stronger and more able to draw the sting out of a game, while the threat provided by the likes of Lanzini, Haller and Anderson is always likely to get us a goal when we most need it.

“It’ll be tough, but I think the Hammers will take all three points, keeping up out decent start to the Premier League season.”

Aston Villa v West Ham United – Head to head:

Aston Villa won: 38

Drawn: 32 

West Ham United won: 40

Aston Villa v West Ham United – Last five meetings (all competitions):

February 8, 2014 – Premier League

Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham United

November 8, 2014 – Premier League

West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa

May 9, 2015 – Premier League

Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham United

December 26, 2015 – Premier League

Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United

February 2, 2016 – Premier League

West Ham United 2-0 Aston Villa

Brian Dear’s prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham United

Jeevesie’s prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 West Ham United