West Ham United continue their 2023/24 Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Sunday, seeking to extend their three-match unbeaten domestic run, and build on Thursday night’s emphatic 5-1 win over SC Freiburg that saw them progress to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
The Hammers came from two goals down to snatch a point against Burnley last Sunday afternoon, with Lucas Paquetá and super-sub Danny Ings both scoring in the second half to earn a point.
Aston Villa won the reverse fixture 4-1 at Villa Park in October, ending an eight-year wait for a win over the Irons, though David Moyes’ charges do hold a positive recent record against their opponents from the Midlands, having been unbeaten in the previous ten fixtures prior to that meeting.
It’s the biggest Blank Gameweek of the season, with just eight teams in action. A dozen clubs are without a Premier League fixture this weekend due to the clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals, therefore it is expected that many Fantasy managers will be on a ‘Free Hit’ as a result of the shortage of fixtures.
Make sure you note the FPL transfer deadline, as Gameweek 29 will start on Saturday 16 March at 1.30pm GMT.
On whufc.com, we’ll be giving you tips and tricks and Hammers to watch across the season!
Across the next fixture, all eyes are on Jarrod Bowen.
Bowen ready to star!
With 18 goals for West Ham United in all competitions this season, including the second against Freiburg on Thursday night, Jarrod Bowen (£6.8m) is the Hammers’ top scorer in 2023/24.
The England forward, who has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad for March’s international friendlies, has been amongst the goals and in the thick of the action throughout recent weeks, perhaps most notably when he notched a first-ever hat-trick in our 4-2 win over Brentford, capitalising on being played as a centre-forward.
Aston Villa conceded four goals against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and have an ever-growing injury list ahead of their visit to London Stadium. Unai Emery’s side have conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League matches, while keeping just one clean sheet in their previous seven games, which came against Sheffield United.
Spurs’ Heung-Min Son, who plays in a similar role to Bowen, took full advantage of Villa’s unconvincing defence last weekend, registering an eye-catching 17 points, and Bowen will be hoping to echo that on Sunday.
Another decent alternative is midfielder Mohammed Kudus (£6.8m), with the Ghana star in red-hot form, fresh from his two outstanding goals for Moyes’ side on Thursday against Freiburg.
Opposition watch: Aston Villa
Forward Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) comes with a hefty price tag, but has proved why he is a valuable asset to so many in recent weeks.
Aston Villa suffered a rare off-day in front of goal last weekend against Tottenham, though in his previous three league fixtures before that he registered thirteen, nine and thirteen points, scoring twice against both Fulham and Luton Town.
After scoring Villa's opener in their commanding 4-0 UEFA Europa Conference League win over Ajax on Thursday, Watkins was withdrawn with a knock, and the Villans will be hoping the 28-year-old is fit to return in the English capital back in the Premier League.
Other options for Sunday’s visitors include midfielder Douglas Luiz (£5.7m), who has been a model of consistency throughout the season for Emery’s side. He recently registered 15 points in Villa’s 4-2 win over Nottingham Forest, while also picking up ten points against Manchester United.
Leon Bailey (£5.7m), meanwhile, also returned ten points in that game against Forest, including a goal and an assist.
Join Hammers’ supporters’ league!
Don't forget to join the Official West Ham United FPL League by clicking HERE and entering the code 5ycfoa.
Also, congratulations to Billy Green, who is top of the West Ham supporters’ league with 1,858 points heading into Gameweek 29.
