West Ham vs Aston Villa LIVE! Premier League result, match stream, latest updates and reaction today

West Ham vs Aston Villa LIVE!

West Ham were defeated in Julen Lopetegui’s first competitive match in charge of the club on Saturday evening. The Hammers kicked off a new era and the latest Premier League season with a frustrating 2-1 loss at the hands of Aston Villa, who picked up from where they left off last term when they finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League for the first time since the 1982/83 campaign.

Villa dominated early on at the London Stadium, going ahead with just four minutes on the clock when new £50million signing from Everton, Amadou Onana, headed home from point-blank range from a Youri Tielemans corner. They then squandered numerous golden chances to extend the lead - Leon Bailey hitting the post - before Lucas Paqueta brought West Ham level from the penalty spot after Matty Cash’s contentious foul on Tomas Soucek.

A fascinating second half followed with chances for both sides, with former Hammers transfer target Jhon Duran having the final say off the bench before Soucek was denied by a supreme block from Ezri Konsa at the death. Follow West Ham vs Aston Villa reaction live below!

West Ham vs Aston Villa highlights

• Konsa denies Soucek with last-gasp block

• GOAL! Duran sweeps home off the bench

• GOAL! Paqueta nets penalty after Soucek fouled

• GOAL! Onana heads in early on Aston Villa debut

West Ham player ratings

20:39 , George Flood

Alphonse Areola 6

Made a number of saves he ought to have made, including from Morgan Rogers in the first half.

Vladimir Coufal 4

Caught out of position by coming too centrally, allowing Lucas Digne and John McGinn to exploit the space down the left. And Duran got through late on, too, thanks to Coufal’s poor positioning.

Max Kilman 7

A really promising debut from the ex-Wolves man, even if those around him in West Ham’s defence didn’t cover themselves in glory. Cut out a few passes in behind and was alert throughout.

Konstantinos Mavropanos 6

Couple of early clearances stopped Aston Villa going two up after Onana’s headed opener. Solid enough but unlikely to remain a starter this season.

Click here to read Dom Smith’s West Ham ratings in full

Familiar failings blight start of West Ham's new era

20:37 , George Flood

Julen Lopetegui insists West Ham won’t be putting any “limits on their dreams” after a summer of change, but anticipation for what this season could bring was blighted by defeat on the opening weekend, writes Standard Sport’s Dom Smith.

A new manager, new captain, and eight new signings had given Hammers fans a refreshed feeling ahead of this campaign, yet familiar failings crept into their display as Aston Villa won 2-1 at the London Stadium.

A particularly bitter pill to swallow was the identity of the man who scored the winner — Jhon Duran, who West Ham pushed hard to sign this summer but couldn’t finalise a deal. Duran wanted more game-time this term. A cameo off the bench proved just enough, though, to dampen the mood among the Hammers faithful.

Max Kilman, making his debut after a £40million move from Wolves, produced an impressive first performance, cutting out Villa passes at source and reaching a much higher level than those around him in West Ham’s otherwise stretched defence.

Read Dom Smith’s analysis in full here

Match report

20:35

West Ham began the new Premier League season and the Julen Lopetegui era with an agonising 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

Jhon Duran came back to haunt the club who wanted to sign him earlier this summer, the Colombian striker coming off the bench to fire home a late winner after Lucas Paqueta’s stylish penalty had cancelled out an early header from Villa debutant Amadou Onana before half-time.

It was Villa’s first-ever win at the London Stadium and first away from home in the league against West Ham for some 30 years, picking up right where they left off last season having finished fourth against the odds and qualified for the Champions League for the first time since the 1982/83 season.

West Ham played their part in a thrilling contest on opening weekend, but will be frustrated by their performance for much of the first half and inability to capitalise when in the ascendancy after equalising.

Read the match report in full here

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:28 , George Flood

Full-time

So it’s a painful opening day defeat in the Premier League to begin the Julen Lopetegui era for West Ham.

Plenty of positives but plenty to work on too as they look to bounce back in a London derby against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next weekend.

Champions League-bound Villa pick up straight where they left off last season.

They host Arsenal in a huge early-season clash next.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:27 , George Flood

97 mins: What a chance for West Ham to grab a last-gasp equaliser at the death!

Kudus’ cross from the right is headed goal-bound by Soucek, but Konsa blocks with his chest to surely preserve all three points on opening day for Aston Villa.

West Ham want another penalty, but that was certainly not handball.

Soucek slices the rebound over under pressure from Konsa.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:26 , George Flood

95 mins: Almost another for Villa through Philogene!

Here come West Ham again...

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:23 , George Flood

93 mins: West Ham force a late corner and will be absolutely seething as Martinez earns a pressure-relieving free-kick despite having appeared to bump into his own player in Maatsen.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:21 , George Flood

90 mins: Philogene into the book as we enter SEVEN minutes of stoppage time at the London Stadium.

Can West Ham salvage a late point to prevent the Julen Lopetegui era beginning with a home defeat?

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:17 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

Of course it's Duran who scores the goal Villa hope will prove the winner.

He looked set to join West Ham earlier this summer in search of more game time.

It never came off, though, and now he's slotted past Areola. An excellent goal. So disappointing for West Ham.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:17 , George Flood

86 mins: Brilliant cross from Summerville but Ings can only steer his header into the arms of Martinez!

That was a real chance for another equaliser.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:16 , George Flood

84 mins: Another West Ham debut coming now in the form of Jean-Clair Todibo.

Danny Ings is also on. Off go Coufal and Rodriguez.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:15 , George Flood

82 mins: Pacey Villa pour forward again in search of a third goal to put this game to bed, but the offside flag is up as Kilman makes a huge block in the box.

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

19:12

80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes at the London Stadium.

Can West Ham hit back again?

Cash may have a knock here as teenage right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic comes on for Villa.

GOAL! West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa | Jhon Duran 78'

19:08 , George Flood

78 mins: The man who almost joined West Ham this summer comes back to haunt them!

He sweeps expertly through the legs of Areola after a wonderful cushioned pass from Maatsen and final touch from Ramsey.

Is that the winner?

Three substitutes combining to great effect for Emery.

Duran - who previously did the Hammers sign of course - signals to the Villa fans with his celebration that he’s going nowhere.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

19:05 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

These are exciting times for West Ham fans.

That's shown as new signings Fullkrug and Summerville both come on for their competitive debuts in the same substitution.

They were crucial men for Borussia Dortmund and Leeds respectively last term.

What can they achieve at the London Stadium?

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

19:05 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

Villa just queueing up, slowly trying to unpick West Ham, who have dropped in their levels in recent minutes and look more than a little tired.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

19:04 , George Flood

74 mins: Maatsen and Philogene replace Digne and Bailey.

Can one of these new signings win the day for either side?

Just over 15 minutes to go...

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

19:03 , George Flood

73 mins: Here is that triple substitution from West Ham.

Antonio, Bowen and Paqueta off.

Fullkrug, Summerville and Ward-Prowse on.

Two more changes coming from Villa too, with Ian Maatsen and Jaden Philogene preparing for their debuts.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

19:02 , George Flood

71 mins: Antonio goes flying after a coming together at the corner with Duran.

Villa get a second go at it before West Ham make their changes - Areola punching into orbit.

Kudus can’t pick out Antonio on a dangerous-looking counter.

Crucial defending from Cash.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

19:00 , George Flood

70 mins: Kilman blocks a Bailey cross and Villa have another corner.

James Ward-Prowse is also coming on for West Ham as Lopetegui prepares a triple change with less than 20 minutes to play.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:59 , George Flood

69 mins: Lopetegui’s first changes will see two more of his new signings enter the fray shortly.

Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug are getting ready.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:57 , George Flood

65 mins: Digne sends through Duran and the Colombian striker - a transfer target for West Ham earlier in the summer - times his run perfectly before lashing into the side netting.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:53 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

Ramsey and Duran are decent options to bring off the bench for Villa.

West Ham will have to be careful, as both are graceful ball-carriers and capable of creating chances.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:51 , George Flood

61 mins: McGinn and Watkins make way for Ramsey and Duran.

No real impact on this game from Watkins, perhaps understandable given that he missed all of pre-season following England’s run to the final of Euro 2024.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:50 , George Flood

60 mins: Kudus has come alive in this second half - Villa can’t cope with him.

He beats Cash again before dribbling into the box and blazing well wide.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:50 , George Flood

59 mins: Unai Emery is preparing his first changes of the evening.

Jacob Ramsey and Jhon Duran will both be on shortly.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:46 , George Flood

56 mins: More West Ham penalty appeals are waved away after Pau Torres’ challenge on Soucek.

Villa break with menace as Tielemans and Rogers are both denied after Bailey had cut inside and stepped on the ball.

Warning signs for West Ham.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:45 , George Flood

54 mins: Far more confidence about this West Ham side now as the extremely skillful and entertaining Kudus gets the better of Cash, who to his credit fights back to block.

Bowen’s corner is then seen off by McGinn at the front post before Rodriguez volleys well over the crossbar.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:42 , George Flood

52 mins: Terrific centre-forward play from Antonio to help lead a West Ham counter, with Bowen cutting inside to try and find an opening.

Kudus’ cross from the left is eventually gathered safely by Martinez off the head of a relieved Onana.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:40 , George Flood

50 mins: Bouts of pressure from both sides at the start of this second period.

You sense this won’t be staying 1-1 and that there are plenty more chances to come at both ends...

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:39 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

He laboured there, Soucek, and it just allowed Digne to get back and block. Scintillating footwork by Kudus, though.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:39 , George Flood

49 mins: Superb stuff from Kudus, who supplies the cheekiest of rabona crosses to the back post.

There is Soucek, who chests down before having his effort blocked by the attentive Digne.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:38 , George Flood

47 mins: Bailey is down and in some pain here for Villa at the start of the second half after being caught late on the top of the foot by Paqueta.

He’ll be okay to continue.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:35 , George Flood

Back underway at the London Stadium, where it’s all to play for in this second half.

No changes from either manager just yet.

How long until we see more of those new signings from both sides?

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:31 , George Flood

Such a cool penalty from specialist Lucas Paqueta...

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:29 , George Flood

What a way to announce yourself to a new club from Amadou Onana...

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:26

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

Matches can turn on incidental moments, and I suspect Villa would have cruised into half-time ahead if Cash had not made the challenge on Soucek he was eventually penalised for.

After Paqueta's penalty, West Ham grew and finished the first period the better team.

They're in it, they're level, and Lopetegui will fancy their chances of a home win here after the break.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:24 , George Flood

So the Hammers trailed to an early header from debutant Amadou Onana and really should have been further behind as Leon Bailey crashed against the post and John McGinn fired wide.

But they take full advantage of a lifeline as Paqueta equalises coolly from the spot after Cash's debatable foul on Soucek.

All to play for after the interval...

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:19 , George Flood

Half-time

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:18 , George Flood

45 mins: Three minutes of added time signalled at the end of this first half.

The ball is moving from end to end now at some tempo.

An entertaining finish to the opening period.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:16

43 mins: Suddenly Villa look a bit flustered here with a disagreement between Konsa and Digne.

Bailey twists and turns on the break before shooting wide of the back post.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:13 , George Flood

40 mins: West Ham have a spring in their step after the equaliser and are now on the front foot for the first time in this game.

Martinez gets down at his near post to repel an effort from Emerson.

West Ham pile on more pressure from the resulting corner before penalty shouts for handball are waved away.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

18:11 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

Did feel like a penalty. Cash gave the referee the chance to make the call by tangling his feet with Soucek.

Paqueta hops, skips, and sends Martinez the wrong way.

West Ham gifted a route back to parity but they did not deserve one.

Silly challenge by Cash. Paqueta made the most of it.

GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa | Lucas Paqueta 37'

18:09 , George Flood

37 mins: Cool as you like from the Brazilian as he steps up and sends Martinez the wrong way from the spot!

All square at the London Stadium with half-time fast approaching, despite Villa’s dominance and chances.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

18:08

36 mins: Decision stands! Villa will be fuming with that.

Paqueta to take...

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

18:06 , George Flood

34 mins: Referee Tony Harrington points to the penalty spot after Cash’s foul on Soucek!

My word did that look soft. Cash got a foot on the ball before a tangle of legs.

Very harsh. Will it be overturned by VAR?

John Brooks is the VAR official today.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

18:04 , George Flood

32 mins: The golden chances for Villa to double their advantage in this first half are starting to pile up.

They tear through the middle again and neither Soucek nor Coufal can cut out a pass into McGinn, who gets two bites at the cherry as his second effort is sent agonisingly wide of the far post.

Villa really, really should be further ahead here.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

18:03 , George Flood

How was this not 2-0 to Aston Villa...

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

18:02 , George Flood

30 mins: Paqueta joins Bailey in the book after a frustrated late challenge on Tielemans.

Kilman defends well against Cash at the resulting free-kick as Villa swing into the box once more.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

18:01 , George Flood

28 mins: Better from West Ham as Kudus comes forward and with Emerson providing a distracting run on the overlap, floats in an excellent cross to the back post.

Top-class defending from Digne to flick behind with Soucek draped all over him.

He wanted a foul, but doesn’t get it.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:59 , George Flood

25 mins: A heavy fall for Onana there after a spot of backing in from Antonio.

He stays down in pain for a moment but is quickly back on his feet.

Free-kick to Villa.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:55 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

I've noticed that Coufal is inverting too much when Villa have the ball, meaning he is not there to defend crosses from Digne or McGinn.

And then West Ham just scythed open again as Bailey legs it round Areola and then strikes the post as he tears in on goal. Another let-off.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:55 , George Flood

22 mins: How is it not 2-0?!

Bailey runs in free to collect a brilliant long ball forward down the right from Cash.

He goes round Areola but his low drive cannons out off the base of the post following a desperate lunge from Kilman - did he get a touch?

A huge, huge let-off for West Ham. They’ve got to get a grip here.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:52 , George Flood

19 mins: Hopeful shots blocked from the edge of the box at both ends, from Antonio and Bailey.

Soucek is there for West Ham, with Villa gliding forward on the counter again as Bowen struggles to lead the hosts’ comeback.

Lopetegui will be concerned with how bad his side look in defence in the early going here.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:47 , George Flood

15 mins: Watkins is in at a tough angle after a smart quick free-kick from Villa but Areola gets down to snuff out the danger.

That was a heavy challenge from Emerson on Bailey.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:46 , George Flood

14 mins: Confident Villa are having a lot of joy early on at the London Stadium, buoyed by that early goal as they continue to pour forward through the middle and down the flanks.

West Ham look nervy and way too passive out of possession.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:45 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

And once again just no defence from West Ham as Rogers darts forward and strikes on goal.

Decent stop Areola but other than that it was yet more non-existent defending from the Hammers.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:43 , George Flood

10 mins: West Ham looking worryingly open at times here as Rogers drives forward and then places a low shot that is palmed away by Areola.

Onana already exerted huge influence in that midfield for Villa.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:42 , George Flood

8 mins: A really lively game this so far, with West Ham pressing for a quick leveller and Bailey booked for Villa for dragging back Kudus.

West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa

17:39

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith

Felt like Onana was totally unchallenged there. An excellent header - no taking that away from him - but it was just too easy. West Ham needed to get tighter.

Nothing doing according to the referee before that, but that felt a more-than-risky challenge from Kudus on McGinn.

You don't want to be catching players with a flailing leg inside your own box. McGinn was fair to call for a spot-kick.

GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa | Amadou Onana 4'

17:34 , George Flood

4 mins: How about that for a dream start to your debut!

Villa look dangerous coming forward again and earn a corner that is delivered from the left by Tielemans and headed in from point-blank range by Onana with only four minutes on the clock.

Where was the marking?! So slack from Antonio to let him go there.

A nightmare opening for West Ham.

West Ham 0-0 Aston Villa

17:33 , George Flood

2 mins: A lively start as Villa pile on some immediate pressure and Kudus gets away with a risky challenge on McGinn inside the box.

West Ham counter at speed through Bowen down the right, with Soucek eventually drilling wide of the near post.

West Ham vs Aston Villa

17:31 , George Flood

Here we go!

A new era is officially up and running for West Ham.

Can they mark the first competitive match of the Julen Lopetegui reign with an impressive first win over Champions League-level opposition?

Tony Harrington is today’s referee.

West Ham vs Aston Villa

17:29 , George Flood

Here come the teams at the London Stadium!

A great noise being created already in the early evening sunshine in Stratford.

West Ham are in familiar claret and blue, with Villa sporting their new white away shirts that celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary.

Good omens for West Ham

17:26

Aston Villa, we should say, have not beaten West Ham away in a league game for some 30 years.

They have only won two of the last 16 meetings across all competitions, dating back to 2013.

These sides drew 1-1 at the London Stadium back in March, with Michail Antonio’s first-half goal cancelled out by former loanee Nicolo Zaniolo.

Villa did thrash West Ham 4-1 last October, with Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey both on target to go along with a double from former midfield talisman Douglas Luiz.

They have never before won at the London Stadium.

Kick-off approaching

17:20

Final preparations at the London Stadium!

How big a role could this man play today after such a memorable summer with England at Euro 2024 that included that unforgettable last-gasp semi-final winner against the Netherlands in Dortmund?

No Luis Guilherme yet for West Ham

17:05 , George Flood

Worth noting that Luis Guilherme, West Ham’s new 18-year-old Brazilian winger signed from Palmeiras for £25.5m in June, is not part of the squad just yet.

The Hammers’ only other new signing not involved today, Wes Foderingham, is third-choice goalkeeper behind Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski.

For Aston Villa, Amadou Onana is the only new signing in the starting XI.

Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley and Jaden Philogene are the newcomers (returning in the case of the latter pair) on the Villa bench, along with the fit-again Emi Buendia and teenage right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, who joined from Red Star Belgrade in January before returning to Serbia on loan.

Diego Carlos and Jhon Duran have both been linked with moves away from Villa Park this summer.

Unai Emery: Aston Villa not contenders to repeat top-four finish

16:50 , George Flood

At his pre-match press conference yesterday, Unai Emery insisted that Aston Villa should not be considered as contenders to repeat their top-four finish from last season.

"The expectations for this year are different because we are going to play in the Champions League," he said.

"This is fantastic for us, it's a new motivation and the best level in the football world.

"We are going to try and be competitive and try to do our way. The expectation for us in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup is the same.

"We're not contenders to be in the top four. We're not starting being contenders to be in the top five. There are seven teams who are contenders more than us.

"We achieved last year a top-four position and we have to be demanding, intelligent, hard-working.

"Other teams are contenders more than us to be in the top four, five, six and seven - and we have to try to beat them.

"They have more capacity than us and we are trying to develop in every direction we can do.

"We are trying to reduce the distance to those teams and we are doing it, but there are still seven teams with more capacity than us at the beginning of the season."

Ollie Watkins starts for Aston Villa as Amadou Onana makes debut

16:36

As expected, Aston Villa hand a competitive debut to new £50m signing Amadou Onana, who will be tasked with filling the gap left in midfield by Douglas Luiz’s departure.

A huge boost for Unai Emery comes with the readiness of Ollie Watkins, who is deemed fit to start despite only recently returning from an extended break following England’s Euro 2024 final heartbreak.

He did not play at all for Villa during pre-season.

He is flanked in attack by Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey, with support from captain John McGinn.

Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez make West Ham debuts

16:32 , George Flood

So only two of West Ham’s eight summer signings so far start on opening day, with Max Kilman at centre-back and Guido Rodriguez in midfield.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug are all on the bench.

It’s Konstantinos Mavropanos who starts alongside £40m man Kilman, with Rodriguez lining up in a midfield pivot along with Tomas Soucek and set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse only a substitute.

Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta is a familiar attacking trio, with Michail Antonio preferred to Fullkrug up front for now.

Aston Villa team in full

16:28 , George Flood

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Bailey, Watkins

Subs: Gauci, Carlos, Maatsen, Nedeljkovic, Barkley, Ramsey, Buendia, Philogene, Duran

West Ham team in full

16:28 , George Flood

West Ham XI: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Rodriguez, Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta, Antonio

Subs: Fabianski, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka, Cresswell, Irving, Ward-Prowse, Summerville, Ings, Fullkrug

Aston Villa lineup

16:18 , George Flood

And here’s how the visitors line up at the London Stadium this evening...

West Ham lineup

16:18

Julen Lopetegui’s first Premier League team selection as West Ham boss has been confirmed...

Aaron Wan-Bissaka ready for potential West Ham debut

16:13 , George Flood

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the most recent of West Ham’s eight summer signings to come aboard after completing his £15m switch from Manchester United on Tuesday.

You might expect such a recent arrival to have the least chance of starting for his new club this evening, though Julen Lopetegui insists the former Crystal Palace right-back is fit after a full pre-season with United.

“Let’s see,” he said when asked if Wan-Bissaka could play against Aston Villa.

“He has played in the pre-season with Manchester United enough minutes in this case, but it is true that his first training session with us was yesterday (Wednesday), so we will see tomorrow.

“We are going to check tomorrow about all of them, and to take the right decision.”

Which new West Ham signings will make debuts today?

16:07

So which of West Ham’s eight summer signings will make their competitive debuts at the London Stadium this evening?

We’re less than half an hour away now from finding out.

In the meantime, here’s what Julen Lopetegui had to say about his first Premier League team selection as Hammers boss at a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“Fortunately, at the moment, we don’t have bad news about the injuries,” he said.

“It’s true that we have to be aware about the kind of preparation that the players had, because they arrived late and so on, so some are more ready than others.

“So, we have to be aware about this, and tomorrow (Friday) we are going to have more information about this but until now, I think that all of them, they are going to be ready.

“We are trying, like I said before, to wait until tomorrow, then we are going to take the last decision about the line-up, about the players who are going to be on the bench too, but this is about tomorrow.

“More or less we have in our minds [what we will do], but we will see.

“I think, [with] the new signings, I say that some of them are more ready than others, so we have to be focused in this and to take the right decision about the line-up, and we will see if any new signings are ready for us to use them, and others will have to wait a little bit, so let’s see what’s going to happen.”

Don't 'put limits' on West Ham dreams, says Julen Lopetegui

15:52 , George Flood

It has been suggested that a first campaign without European football for three seasons could be a positive for West Ham after last term’s disappointing ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

However, such claims have been quickly rubbished by new boss Julen Lopetegui, who is plotting what he hopes will be a swift path back to the continent for the new-look Irons.

"I always prefer to play in Europe. Always. Always," he said.

"But the situation is we have to put the focus on the league after the Carabao Cup and after the FA Cup too.

“We are going to have enough competitions to be able to compete, improve, and show what we are able to do.

"Our target is; don't put limits on our dreams. After, we will see. Let's see what is going to happen.

“Maybe you can ask me in three or four months and we are going to be clearer where we are.

"The most important thing is arriving in the last 10 matches in a good way. One league is a marathon. Each match is one kilometre.

“There are a lot. Now we have to put the focus on the first kilometre. Football is like this, step by step.”

Julen Lopetegui: Jarrod Bowen the clear choice for captain

15:41 , George Flood

Here is what Julen Lopetegui had to say about appointing fan favourite Jarrod Bowen as his new West Ham captain...

“He is an English national team player and he has the commitment at the club to become the new captain,” he said.

“All of us are going to help him. He has a big responsibility.

“But the more important thing is what happens on the pitch. We were very clear he was a good choice.”

Jarrod Bowen 'proud and honoured' to be named West Ham captain

15:30 , George Flood

West Ham begin a new era today with a flood of new signings, a new manager and now a new captain too.

Attacking talisman Jarrod Bowen was officially handed the permanent club armband earlier this week, with previous skipper Kurt Zouma still in the Middle East trying to secure a transfer after his proposed move to Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fell through earlier this week due to issues with his medical.

“I am incredibly proud and happy to be West Ham United captain,” said England forward Bowen.

“We’ve had many great moments here as a club.

“I’ve been here four-and-a-half years now, so to be named club captain is a really proud moment and one that I’ll wear with great honour.”

West Ham vs Aston Villa prediction

15:21 , George Flood

West Ham boast a very decent record in this fixture but have a lot of work to do to gel a new squad and manager together.

Villa are not short of question marks themselves, though were brilliant last season and have much the same squad.

Draw, 1-1.

Aston Villa team news

15:17 , George Flood

Aston Villa begin the new Premier League season without long-term injury absentees Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings, who are both still a little while away from returning from respective serious knee injuries.

Amadou Onana should make his debut in midfield after a £50million switch from Everton, while fellow summer signings such as Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley and Jaden Philogene will also be vying for their debuts.

Like West Ham, Villa have also been busy in the transfer market this summer, also bringing in the likes of Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea and Lewis Dobbin.

The likes of Douglas Luiz, Moussa Diaby and Philippe Coutinho have all gone.

West Ham team news

15:09 , George Flood

West Ham’s only known injury absentee at present is midfielder Edson Alvarez, who did not play at all during pre-season after suffering a hamstring injury while away with Mexico at the Copa America tournament.

Otherwise the hosts look to have a clean bill of health for Julen Lopetegui’s first game in the dugout.

The Spaniard said he would make a late call on which of busy West Ham’s eight summer signings to date would feature for their competitive debuts today.

Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will all be pushing to start in defence, while World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez has been signed to bolster the midfield.

Luis Guilherme, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug will be vying to come into a revamped attack, though Wes Foderingham has been signed to provide cover in the goalkeeper position.

How to watch West Ham vs Aston Villa

15:03

TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

West Ham vs Aston Villa live

15:01 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage on an exciting opening weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Our focus here falls on events in Saturday’s late kick-off at the London Stadium, where the new Julen Lopetegui era officially begins for West Ham.

The Spaniard has a tough test for his first competitive match in charge of the Hammers as they face last year’s fourth-place finishers and Champions League qualifiers Aston Villa, who were fantastic under Unai Emery last term as they secured a first return to Europe’s top table since the 1982/83 campaign.

Kick-off in east London is at 5:30pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest team news, match build-up and live updates.