David Moyes and his West Ham United are ready for the return of Premier League football this weekend.
The Hammers are back in action following the second international break of the campaign, and Aston Villa are the opponents for our fifth away league game of the season.
With two league wins on our travels already under the Irons' belts in 2023/24, Moyes will be eyeing up a third at Villa Park - a ground that has proven a happy hunting ground in recent years.
The boss knows, however, his team will need to be on top form to register a fourth straight victory in Birmingham.
Resting up and working hard during the break
We got a little bit of time off during the international break. The players had earned it and hopefully the manager had as well!
We had a few days off, but we’ve also got players that needed to train and keep working hard. We’ve been able to do that as well.
The challenge of Aston Villa
I think Aston Villa have done brilliantly well. I think the manager is doing a great job, they have signed good players and they look as if they’re building a strong team.
When I look back at Aston Villa in the past and where they are now, they’re in a much, much stronger place and they’ve got good players, they really have, and a good team.
It’s a tough game, whenever you play the good teams in the Premier League, there’s no easy games in the Premier League and Aston Villa certainly isn’t one of them.
I thought they were really good last year, they finished in a European spot to make the Conference League, which is a great achievement.
We were thrilled about it two years ago when we did it, and the year before we were in the Europa League.
So, when you’re finishing sixth, seventh, around those positions in the Premier League you’re showing exactly what you are.
Jarrod Bowen's new contract
People are getting lengthier contracts now and that’s where it looks like football is going. I’m really pleased that we’ve got Jarrod signed up.
He’s a hugely important player for us and he’s made a big impact across the Club over the last couple of seasons; not just as a player but as a person as well.
I’m really pleased. He’s earned it. He has started in the lower leagues, worked his way up and at every level he’s had to show what he can do, and he’s done that.
Tomáš Souček's fantastic form
He’s done great for us this year. He’s been an important player for us, and has been over the last couple of years. He’s been a great team player for us, done loads of hard work, trains hard every day and is energetic.
He is a brilliant boy, he really is. I’m glad he’s getting his reward in terms of goals.
He’s doing well and he’s helping us with those. A big part of Tomáš’ game is his goals and the way he plays. He’s playing a bit further up the pitch for us and that’s helping him get more goals.
Kurt Zouma's relishing having the armband
Kurt has started the season really, really well. I think he’s thriving with the captaincy.
He’s learned from a lot of mistakes in football and in life, and I think he’s a better human being for it. He’s doing a really good job for us.
Playing with confidence
We’re in a really good mood. We think we’ve had a good second phase of the season, this most recent set of games when we had a tough period.
We’re in good shape, we’ve had a couple of good cup results in between the Premier League games as well, so all of those things add to the mood and I have to say the players have been playing really well.
They’ve done a great job – we can improve on loads of things, but I have to give them great credit for the way they’ve started the season.
