The first Premier League game of the season always sets out to be a nervy encounter for the fans. Will new signings make a good first impression? Will the squad cope with an alteration to the tactics? What about the new manager?
For Aston Villa, living up to last season's expectations is going to be a challenge. Finishing fourth and securing Champions League football is something that is going to be incredibly tough in order to repeat such a historical achievement. However, fans are going into the new season with full confidence and belief.
West Ham on the other hand have experienced a summer of change. David Moyes who managed the club in the 2017/18 season and then re-joined on the 30th December 2019 up to the end of the 2023/24 campaign has parted ways with the Hammers and in comes former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui to reinstall some energy into the club.
Aston Villa and West Ham have spent big money throughout the window meaning both sides go into this opening fixture depending on hope. It is a game that could go either way, both sides should be in a similar position come the end of the season.
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Team news
Hammers fans will be pleased to know that Lopetegui has confirmed that there are no injury concerns heading into the game, with eight new summer signings all pushing to make their league debuts.
The Spaniard has said that he will wait until later today to confirm his starting team to face Emery's Villa. Some of the new faces include Aaron Wan-Bissaka arriving from Manchester United, Niclas Fullkrug who joins from Borussia Dortmund and Crysencio Summerville who switched from Leeds United.
Villa have no fresh injury concerns from pre-season.
Emery has confirmed that Tyrone Mings is still not training with the first team, but if his progression continues on the path that it is currently on then Mings should be returning to first-team training in early September.
All summer signings are available including the standout additions of Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen.
There have been question marks over the availability of Ollie Watkins as he failed to make an appearance for Villa over pre-season, however, the likeliness is that he starts. He probably just needed that little more rest than the likes of Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez who returned after international tournaments.
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Likely lineups
West Ham: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Mavropanos, Emerson; Bowen, Soucek, Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Kudus; Fullkrug
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Watkins, Rogers
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Key players
When you look at the likely lineup that Villa could face on Saturday it is clear to see that there is no shortage of quality all over the pitch, however, Bowen is the name that still stands out.
The Englishman, who got minutes for England at Euro 2024, has been West Ham's main threat on goal over the past three seasons. Last season Bowen recorded his highest tally of goals in a single Premier League season, netting 16 times. From the wing that is an impressive figure.
With the pace that he holds and his ability to run with the ball and end that run with a finish into the back of the net, Villa need to take special precautions when it comes to limiting his quality on Saturday.
There is no doubt that Ollie Watkins is Villa's current star man.
Like Bowen, Watkins had his best Premier League season in front of goal last season, scoring 19 times.
A lot more people away from the Villa fanbase will be aware of the former Brentford man's quality after 'that' goal that he scored for England against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
His electric pace and his intelligence to make sharp runs in behind the opposition's defence is why the West Ham centre-backs will have to pay special attention to the clinical striker.
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Match details
Where is the game being played?
The match is being played at the London Stadium - home of West Ham since 2016.
What time is kick-off?
The match kicks off at 17:30 BST on Saturday, 17th August.
How can I watch?
The match will be televised on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. In addition, highlights will be available to watch via Match of the Day (BBC One) at 22:20 BST on Saturday.
