Aston Villa and West Ham United reunite at Villa Park

Aston Villa v West Ham postponement latest after Met Office update

Sun 26 January 2025 8:59, UK

Aston Villa and West Ham United should comfortably avoid any doubt over their Premier League fixture going ahead, despite the latest Met Office weather warnings.

Villa host the Hammers on Sunday (26 January, 4:30pm) in a reunion from the FA Cup win 16 days previous, and should enjoy a capable playing surface at Villa Park even though heavy rain could strike Birmingham and the West Midlands in the hours leading up to kick-off.

As of Sunday morning, the Met Office has issued a ‘yellow’ heavy rain warning, which means a slight chance of power cuts and flooding. However, maintenance staff at Villa Park will be on hand if necessary to clear the pitch of surface water in the event of a torrential downpour.

Aston Villa can close European gap with win v West Ham

Aston Villa can move closer to their repeated European ambitions with victory over West Ham United on Sunday, all being well.

Unai Emery’s side are unbeaten in their last four in the league despite areas of inconsistency and their defeat by Monaco in the Champions League in midweek (21 January).

With all seven teams above the Villans having already played on Saturday, it gives a clear task to Emery and his charges that three points would move their side within two points of the top four (or top five as well to be pedantic, given the high possibility of five English sides qualifying for the Champions League).

West Ham arrive back at Villa Park just over a fortnight on from passing up an early lead to find themselves eliminated from the FA Cup and denied a tasty tie with Tottenham. Graham Potter has his work cut out to recover from the dismal stint of Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium.