Graham Potter is poised to make his debut as the new manager of West Ham United on Friday, as the Hammers face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round. This appointment follows the club's decision to part ways with Julen Lopetegui earlier this week, a move prompted by a disappointing start to the season. Potter, who previously managed Chelsea until April 2023, will be eager to revitalise a West Ham side that has encountered significant difficulties in recent matches.
West Ham's recent form has been troubling, with the team conceding nine goals in their last two outings, including a heavy 5-0 defeat to Liverpool. The Hammers also suffered a loss to Villa in Lopetegui's first match in charge back in August, making this fixture particularly daunting for Potter as he seeks to turn the team's fortunes around.
In contrast, Aston Villa has experienced a mixed bag of results but managed to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Leicester City in their opening match of 2025. This win propelled Unai Emery's side to eighth place in the Premier League standings, although they have faced their own challenges, having drawn with Brighton and suffered a defeat to Newcastle in their previous outings.
Recent performance data from 90min highlights the latest results for both teams ahead of their FA Cup encounter:
**Aston Villa's Recent Results:**
- Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester (04/01/25)
- Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton (30/12/24)
- Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa (26/12/24)
- Aston Villa 2-1 Man City (21/12/24)
- Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa (14/12/24)
**West Ham's Recent Results:**
- Man City 4-1 West Ham (04/01/25)
- West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (29/12/24)
- West Ham 1-1 Brighton (21/12/24)
- Southampton 0-1 West Ham (26/12/24)
- Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham (16/12/24)
In terms of team news, Villa will be without key midfielder John McGinn due to a hamstring injury. They also face defensive challenges, with Pau Torres unavailable and Diego Carlos's fitness uncertain as he is linked with a January transfer. Jhon Duran will serve the final match of his three-game suspension, while Morgan Rogers returns from a one-match ban.
For West Ham, Potter faces his own selection dilemmas. Jarrod Bowen is sidelined with a fractured foot, while Michail Antonio is recovering from a broken leg. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is also unavailable due to a head injury, meaning Alphonse Areola is set to step in. The fitness of Emerson remains uncertain after he missed the last match, and Jean-Clair Todibo's status is questionable following an injury against Manchester City.
The anticipated lineups for the match are as follows (4-2-3-1):
**Aston Villa:**
Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins.
**West Ham:**
Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug.
Given Potter's limited time with his new squad, immediate improvements may prove challenging. However, this match presents an opportunity for the 49-year-old manager to gain valuable experience in a high-pressure environment. Aston Villa's strong home record positions them as favourites, and should Emery field a competitive team, they are likely to advance to the fourth round with relative ease.