West Ham United

There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Burnley

• Brighton v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Manchester City v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Brentford

• Tottenham v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Arsenal (20:00)

• Leeds v Crystal Palace (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This just feels like it will be a routine win for Manchester City, who have won their past six games and are building real momentum.

West Ham, in contrast, are in the bottom three and facing one heck of a scrap to stay in the Premier League.

It hardly helps the Hammers that all the teams immediately above them picked up at least a point last weekend while they were losing at home to Aston Villa.

I do think their performances have improved under Nuno Espirito Santo, but they really need some points to go with that, and this is not a game where I think that is particularly likely.

I just can't look past City for the win, because I don't see West Ham keeping them out.

What a goal Rayan Cherki scored against Brentford in the EFL Cup on Wednesday - I got a bit of flak on the Monday Night Club, and on social media too, for agreeing with Pep Guardiola that he needs to cut out the rabonas and use his left foot instead, but he is a huge talent and he has has kicked City on.

City have kept three clean sheets in a row in the Premier League too, which surprises me a bit - and makes me think they will concede here, but this will still be a comfortable afternoon for them.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Manchester City have the chance to go top on Saturday, for a few hours at least, while visitors West Ham will attempt to move out of the relegation zone. BBC Sport examines some key themes ahead of the match.

Foden thriving in deeper role

Manchester City's current run of six wins in a row is their best since beating West Ham on the final day of the 2023-24 Premier League season to register a seventh straight victory.

Phil Foden scored twice in that game to end with a career-high 27 goals for the season and he has been integral to City's good form of late. Foden has scored six goals in his past five competitive starts and on Saturday will be looking to score in five consecutive Premier League matches for the first time.

Foden has 13 goals and five assists in 2025-26, already surpassing last season's tally of 15 goal involvements. Still only 25, he is only two shy of a century of Premier League goals or assists.

His return to form after a difficult 2024-25 campaign has come while playing in a deeper midfield role, which gives him greater influence in building City's attacks. This season, 77% of Foden's playing time has been spent in central midfield – in contrast to 24% last season.

More than a third of his touches so far have come in City's defensive half, the highest proportion of his career – with a comparison of his touch maps for this season and last illustrating his change of position.

'Anxious' West Ham facing Christmas in bottom three

Improved performances are not translating into points for West Ham, who are third bottom in the table after going five matches without a win.

They have drawn all three away games during that run but suffered a second successive home defeat last Sunday, against Aston Villa. It was the first time in nine years that West Ham had twice taken the lead in a league fixture and still lost.

They have also dropped points recently away to Bournemouth, having been 2-0 up, and Brighton, when they conceded a controversial stoppage-time equaliser.

"Games have been slipping through our hands," bemoaned head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who has gone 22 Premier League matches without a clean sheet – 11 apiece with West Ham and Nottingham Forest. "We cannot get anxious, so there is a mental aspect to our players we are trying to improve."

To avoid being in the bottom three at Christmas, the Hammers must beat Manchester City for the first time in 20 league matches spanning a decade – and then hope Leeds lose to Crystal Palace.

If West Ham are in the Premier League relegation zone at Christmas for the fifth time, they can take some solace from the fact they avoided relegation on the two previous occasions they weren't bottom.

Image source, Getty Images

In the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, ex-manager Sam Allardyce for a wide-ranging chat about being a head coach in elite football.

The man affectionately known as Big Sam - who managed Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Everton and Leeds among others - breaks down the principles that sustained his career, why he regrets not confronting criticism of his playing style sooner and why he's encouraged by the league's evolution this season.

He also reflects on working with Wayne - how he wishes he'd managed him earlier and why he never wanted to sub him off, alongside sharing why he was so disappointed not to be given longer with the Toffees.

Plus, Allardyce also reveals some classic dressing room stories - from warning a player he had 30 minutes to save himself after a champagne night out, to urging Palace chairman Steve Parish to speak his mind to the squad after a bad defeat.

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

West Ham winger Luis Guilherme wants to stay and fight for his place at the club, despite reports linking the 19-year-old Brazilian with a move in January. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed West Ham have "no major issues" after their last match, with forward Niclas Fullkrug returning for part of the training session on Thursday.

• However, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are now unavailable due to involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

• On losing two important players to Afcon: "I'm happy for them because it's important to go to their national team but, for us as a squad, we will miss them. [It was] something that was in the schedule and we have to deal with that situation. Kyle [Walker-Peters] and Ollie [Scarles] are the natural options. We will try to find inside the squad the versatile players who can fill those positions."

• After coughing up leads in their past two matches, Nuno conceded turning positive performances into results has been "missing", with games "getting away from our hands".

• He added: "We were punished by details and mistakes and it's up to us to correct those. We're in a difficult position and have to sustain our performance throughout all the game. We need to work on removing these oscillations from the games and Saturday is another opportunity to do that."

• On if those lost leads is having a mental impact on his players: "The positive is we have started bouncing back after conceding in the first actions. We fix it, now we are scoring first and not holding on to leads. That's the reality of the game. We have to understand the game lasts 90 or 100 minutes and you have to stick with your concentration until the end. Not get anxious. So there is a mental aspect to our players that we are trying to improve."

• On whether West Ham retain any momentum, the Hammers boss acknowledged they "need points" because performances that should have given them confidence have not led to results.

• On the future of Fullkrug, who has been linked with a move away in January: "I can only speak since I arrived. Niclas started both of the first two games and then what is delaying him is small injuries that keep putting him out. It is difficult for any player that does not have the continuity of games to reach their best. We have this situation when players play, come, go out, stay, and it is difficult when you need minutes and don't have it."

Listen to full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Manchester City v West Ham from 15:00 GMT on Saturday on BBC Sounds

AC Milan are in talks to sign West Ham United and Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, having offered to take the 32-year-old on loan with an option to buy. (Bild - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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West Ham want to offload Niclas Fullkrug and AC Milan could try to sign the striker on loan in January. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham are definitely improving under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Before the visit of third-placed Aston Villa, who had won eight consecutive games and were fresh off the back of beating title favourites Arsenal last weekend, there was genuine fear that it was an almost guaranteed defeat at London Stadium.

Indeed, Sunday's clash in Stratford did end in a 3-2 loss, but the overall performance from West Ham was good and encouraging. We led twice, we had Unai Emery's Villa on the ropes several times and would have been well worth at least a point had Morgan Rogers' impressive winner not hit the back of the net in the 79th minute.

But despite the positive performance against one of the most in-form teams in Europe, there is an element of frustration surrounding the manner of the defeat.

At 2-2, West Ham had a period of dominance in which Jarrod Bowen had a goal ruled out for offside and Villa looked a little panicked defensively. It was clear Nuno needed to make a change by bringing on an actual striker, ideally for someone like Lucas Paqueta, who was struggling to lead the line himself. A change like that may have helped us unlock a makeshift Villa backline.

Instead, Nuno sat on his hands and waited. Emery, in the opposing dugout, made his move by replacing defensive midfielder Amadou Onana with striker Donyell Malen. Ten minutes later he introduced Emiliano Buendia and Villa were back in the game. Rogers scored the winner shortly afterwards.

It was only then that Nuno responded by bringing on Callum Wilson. But it was too late. Villa were comfortable sitting on their lead and saw the game out without much to worry about.

Emery's in-game management won Villa the game - Nuno's cost West Ham at least a point, perhaps all three. The Spaniard did exactly what Nuno needed to do at 2-2 and it paid off.

Hopefully that is a lesson learned because if West Ham play like that for the rest the season, we should be fairly confident of Premier League survival.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

AC Milan have reached a basic agreement with Niclas Fullkrug and hope to complete a deal with West Ham for the striker as soon as possible. (Calcio Mercato - in Italian), external

Milan will put forward a loan with option to buy offer for Fullkrug but the deal may not suit the Hammers' demands. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between West Ham and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

John: Some positives, seeing far greater energy and we pressed well. However, we can't defend and we don't have answers in the final third. We need to bring in a central defender and an out-and-out striker next month.

Geoff: Our performances are improving under Nuno game by game. He's moving us forward. We will move up the table.

Grant: Same old story. Poor defending has cost us again. You can't give Morgan Rogers that much space and time on the edge of the box. Unless we sort our defence out, we are going to be relegated.

Dan: Relegation beckons unless we can get some points when we deserve to. Avoidable goals and late substitutions contributed to our downfall today. Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville caused loads of problems but with no genuine striker, it's always going to be tricky. Keep the faith!

Aston Villa fans

Theo: Not at our best but individual performances such as Rogers in particular helped us get through in the end. Great to continue the good run which is entirely down to squad depth. When things are not going well there is a quality player to come on and switch it up. Very happy.

Edward: Class from Villa. More points from a losing position that shows the character of this team. Watch out Arsenal, we are coming.

Steve: Villa's confidence is growing game on game. Top three finish looking extremely possible but Manchester United are always a bogey team for Villa. It will be a real test.

Ian: Well another three points without playing at our best - is that the sign of a good team? What we showed yet again is great character and resilience, and our ability to keep going. We are a threat anywhere near the opponents' goal. Rogers just keeps getting better and the team never gives up. My only criticism is of Ezri Konsa. Great defender but does get sloppy and too casual on the ball at times, which gave them their first goal. Let's keep the momentum going as confidence is building game on game.

Pundits Joe Hart and Theo Walcott and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City

• Brentford 1-1 Leeds

Tottenham and Aston Villa are all showing interest in Brentford's 24-year-old Brazilian striker Igor Thiago. (Caught Offside), external

AC Milan are ready to accelerate their interest to secure a January deal for West Ham's 32-year-old Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC MOTD after their 3-2 defeat by Aston Villa: "We are disappointed with the way we conceded the second goal at the start of the second half which was a pivotal moment of the game. We have to be more composed and manage the moments.

On positives to take: "Some. The positives were the effort that the boys put in. Offensively we were ok but we cannot allow talented players like Morgan Rodgers to have that much space."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

London Stadium was awash with emotion in the build-up to this game as West Ham fans paid tribute to club legend Billy Bonds, who passed away aged 79 at the end of November.

An enormous banner of Bonds lifting the FA Cup - which he won twice as a West Ham player - appeared in the stand bearing his name as the two teams made their way on to the pitch, while former team-mates Trevor Brooking and Alvin Martin – accompanied by Bonds' two daughters – laid a floral tribute inside the centre circle before kick-off.

The home fans had already celebrated the opening goal by the time they rose to their feet for their now customary fourth-minute round of applause in Bonds' honours – but they were no longer celebrating at full time.

Bowen was West Ham's greatest threat, becoming only the second player to reach 100 Premier League goal involvements for the club after Michail Antonio, but the Hammers' defensive frailties came back to haunt them as they conceded more than one goal in a top-flight home game for the seventh time this season.

Their only clean sheet of the campaign so far came in a 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest, who pulled five points clear of the Hammers in the table with a comfortable win over Tottenham at the City Ground on Sunday.

Things may be about to get even worse for West Ham, who travel to in-form Manchester City next weekend.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Nuno Espirito Santo makes two changes to the West Ham team that drew at Brighton last weekend.

Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts come in, replacing Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez.

West Ham XI: Areola, Mavropanos, Magassa, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka, Fernandes, Potts, Diouf, Paqueta, Bowen, Summervilla

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Julio, Wilson, Rodriguez, Soucek, Scarles, Kante

Unai Emery makes six changes to the Aston Villa side that started the UEFA Europa League victory at Basel on Thursday.

Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Ian Maatsen are all restored, with Lucas Digne, Lamare Bogarde, Evann Guessand, Emiliano Buendia, Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen dropping to the bench.

Watkins makes his 200th Premier League appearance at London Stadium.

Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Wright, Buendia, Digne, Garcia, Malen, Sancho, Bogarde, Guessand, Lawrence Hemmings

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will be bringing you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Sunderland v Newcastle United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham United v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Brentford v Leeds United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Man City" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Newcastle", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I have backed against my old team Aston Villa in the past couple of weeks but they proved me wrong by beating Brighton and then doing the same to Arsenal.

Unai Emery's side just keep on going and keep on winning too, and they always seem to find a way to get over the line. They have won seven games in a row now in all competitions, and I think they are amazing.

I am not going to back against them this time, that's for sure. They have got a brush with Basel on Thursday but playing in the Europa League has not affected them too much recently.

West Ham have turned a corner under Nuno Espirito Santo, but so has Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Watkins is starting to look more like his old self, and he could make the difference here to continue Villa's winning run.

Jarrod Bowen will ensure they don't have an easy game, but Villa have got enough goals right through their team to take the points even if Watkins doesn't score on Sunday.

I was absolutely delighted to see Emi Buendia get the winner against Arsenal. He has had a lot of injuries to contend with at Villa but I saw a lot of him at Norwich and he is a terrific player.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Relegation-threatened West Ham seek a first win over third-placed Aston Villa in six attempts on Sunday. BBC Sport provides some of the talking points going into the fixture.

Defensive frailty costing West Ham

West Ham are averaging a point per game under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and were denied a first win in four attempts by a controversial stoppage-time Brighton equaliser last weekend.

Nuno bemoaned the fact that Georginio Rutter's goal wasn't ruled out for either a high boot or handball during the build-up but it means West Ham have conceded in all 10 matches under the Portuguese. In fact, he has gone 21 Premier League matches without a clean sheet, including 11 with Nottingham Forest.

West Ham showed encouraging attacking signs against Brighton but their defensive vulnerability is stark, with only Burnley allowing their opponents more shots this season.

The Hammers have particularly struggled in the closing stages of matches. They have now conceded five goals in the 90th minute, including stoppage time – a tally only exceeded by Leeds and Newcastle with six apiece – and faced the most shots and shots on target during that period of games.

Villa's form should be no surprise

A last-second winner against league leaders Arsenal has, inevitably, catapulted Aston Villa into the title conversation. Manager Unai Emery and his players have been reticent to entertain such talk, perhaps mindful of being in a similar situation two years ago when they were one point off the top at Christmas but eventually finished 23 points adrift, albeit in a superb fourth place.

Nonetheless, though Villa have earned nine top-flight wins in a 10-game spell for the first time in 106 years, their good form is no anomaly.

They have the fourth-highest points tally in the Premier League since Emery took over in November 2022, and the third highest this calendar year with 67 points – four behind Manchester City and Arsenal.

They are not just relying on their imperious home form either. No team has as many Premier League away wins, or has earned more points on the road, than Aston Villa since the start of March.

Villa also sit third in the Europa League table following Thursday's victory away to Basel. That was their eighth win in a row as a top-flight side in all competitions, a feat they previously achieved 111 years ago.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have announced a series of tributes, external to honour club legend Billy Bonds at Sunday's home game against Aston Villa.

The former Hammers captain passed away at the end of November, aged 79, and West Ham are inviting supporters to pay their respects.

Their plans include a temporary memorial area outside of London Stadium for supporters to leave a tribute and reflect on their memories of the club's all-time appearance maker.

Inside the ground, pre-match commemorations will begin 15 minutes before kick-off and a number of his former team mates will be invited pitchside as part of the tribute.

Just before kick-off, a "giant choreographed visual display" will appear in the Billy Bonds Stand and "a period of appreciation" for the former Hammers captain will begin.