West Ham United vs. Aston Villa: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

West Ham United get their 2024/25 Premier League campaign started with a clash against Aston Villa at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Villa will be hoping for better fortune on the opening weekend this season after losing 5-1 to Newcastle this time last year.

The Hammers have had a huge transfer window and they could feature six debutants on Saturday. However, could that prove to be their downfall?

West Ham United vs. Aston Villa betting picks and predictions

Ollie Watkins to score any time (+160)

While he didn’t get too much action at the European Championship, Ollie Watkins scored the goal which sent England into the final of that tournament. He was unlucky not to be handed a start in place of Harry Kane, given how the Bayern Munich forward struggled in Germany.

There’s no doubt that Watkins will be Villa’s leading man this term as he looks to follow up the strongest season of his career. Not only was he in contention for the Golden Boot, the forward made more assists than any other Premier League player.

Watkins had a huge impact for Villa, especially on the road. The forward scored 10 times and assisted six more in away games last season, meaning he had a hand in 16 of Villa’s 28 away goals.

Aston Villa to win and both teams to score (+350)

There’s plenty of excitement around West Ham following their transfer activity and that’s warranted, as they’ve made some smart signings.

Aston Villa are a case in point that in spite of good moves, things can take some time to come together. Their additions last summer worked out over the course of the season, but Villa were thumped in their opener.

West Ham have to bed in several new signings - including center backs Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, striker Niclas Fullkrug, right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and winger Crysencio Summerville - under the watch of new coach Julen Lopetegui. There’s a lot of change at the London Stadium ahead of the new campaign, so they can be swerved in the opening week. 

Villa are a settled side and Emery has had plenty of time to get his ideas across. His team looked leggy late last season and their form dipped, so expect them to bounce back after the summer break. 

Goals look likely in this clash and both teams to score is priced at -200, so back Villa to edge a high-scoring encounter. 

Emerson and John McGinn to be booked (+1200)

In addition to goals, expect there to be a few cards in this contest. Only six sides were shown more cards at home than West Ham last season, while Villa were among the most card-happy teams over the course of the campaign. 

Emerson was booked 10 times across 36 appearances for the Hammers in the league last term and he’s a good candidate for a booking. Leon Bailey and Matty Cash will be running at him on that flank, so take the Italian left back for a caution.

For Villa, midfielder John McGinn was booked nine times last season, with four of those coming away from home. Along with Emerson he was one of the most cautioned Premier League players last term, so back them in a +1200 double to both pick up a yellow card.

Read more betting picks and predictions for soccer on site.

West Ham United vs. Aston Villa odds

West Ham	+145
Tie	+260
Aston Villa	+175

West Ham vs. Aston Villa player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)	+160
Niclas Fullkrug (West Ham)	+175
Danny Ings (West Ham)	+210
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)	+210
Cameron Archer (Aston Villa)	+225
Michail Antonio (West Ham)	+250

Read the latest soccer news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.