View: How Aston Villa can hurt West Ham United in Premier League clash on Sunday
Aston Villa host West Ham United in their next Premier League fixture with both sides desperate for a positive result after disappointing starts to the season.
David Moyes’ side have kicked off the season in disappointing form with three Premier League defeats, with the latest coming against Graham Potter’s Brighton and Hove Albion.
Potter is one of the most tactically astute managers in the Premier League and perfectly targeted a glaring weakness in West Ham’s system.
Both Brighton goals were made from the same build-up and it’s something that Steven Gerrard should consider when they host the Hammers on Sunday (28 August).
West Ham’s midfielder duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek were caught out twice in their defeat at the London Stadium to the Seagulls.
The image above displays the space that Villa could exploit in between the Hammers’ defence and midfield pairing. If Gerrard utilises his diamond system in midfield, the likes of John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho could thrive in exploiting the gaps that are left.
With one forward pass, that has broken the Hammers’ lines, Brighton finds themselves through on goal with three players taken out of the game. For this to work for Villa, Boubacar Kamara must ensure that he plays incisive and fast passes to players who are beyond the Hammers midfield duo.
In this instance, Leandro Trossard finds himself through on goal, but for Villa, Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins could have plenty of chances in very similar positions. Both players have shown they know where the back of the net is and they must continue that form at the weekend.
For the penalty that the Seagulls were awarded, it was a very similar scenario, with Brighton turning the ball over and driving at West Ham’s defence before their midfield duo can recover. The space in between the midfield and defence is far greater than what Moyes would want from his side.
Danny Welbeck makes a clever run and commits the defender into a rash tackle and wins the penalty.
What is crucial for Villa and Gerrard is that they are quick in transition and try and exploit gaps that may appear in West Ham’s midfield.
The Irons are desperate for a win so there could well be plenty of opportunities for Villa’s creative sparks to hurt the Hammers.
In other Aston Villa news, Kortney Hause will still be allowed to leave for Watford on loan