FA Cup: Spanish Duo Experience Extremes Before Cup Clash

Aston Villa vs West Ham United

A week later than its traditional date, the most famous and romantic cup competition of all is back for 2025. As the FA Cup reaches the third-round stage, the draw has paired together a few of the Premier League big-hitters and Villa Park hosts one such tie.

It also brings together two esteemed Spanish managers who are experiencing fluctuating fortunes in English football.

 

Talking Points

The attacking football West Ham fans hoped Julen Lopetegui would introduce when he was appointed last summer has only been seen in glimpses so far, and they were so far off the pace in a 4-1 league defeat at Manchester City on Saturday, so there is renewed pressure on the position of the one-time Spain and Real Madrid boss.

Yes, they have been profligate in front of goal as they have created chances, but the gist of the story is that they are languishing in 13^th place in the Premier League with only potential FA Cup 2025 highlights to look forward to.

They are also without England man Jarrod Bowen with a broken foot, an injury Lopetegui has not put a recovery timescale on but one he admits “is not good news”. He certainly faces an extended spell on the sidelines which is a further blow to the Hammers.

Their reverse to City was the club’s sixth league defeat by three or more goals this term, a feat unmatched by any other team in the top-flight.

By contrast, Aston Villa are flying high at home and abroad. Unai Emery’s men are handily placed in the Champions League and currently sit in eighth place in the Premier League. Despite the difficulty of juggling domestic and European commitments, they have never dropped out of top-four contention this season.

Jhon Duran, who netted the winner when these teams met at the start of the season, is missing for the hosts as he completes a three-match suspension.

Before his ban, Duran had seven Premier League goals this term. Only Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala had netted more goals in the big-five European leagues in 2024-25, among all players aged 21 or under.

Their last outing saw them win 2-1 at home to Leicester, although it wasn’t without some damage as they lost captain John McGinn to a hamstring injury, and he now joins defender Pau Torres (out for two months with a broken foot) on the sidelines.

Given their injuries and congested programme, perhaps they will view the FA Cup as an unwelcome distraction? West Ham have no such luxury.

 

History 

The sides have been very well matched historically. The Hammers have won 45 times since their very first meeting – an FA Cup clash in 1913 which Villa won 5-0 – while the Villains have triumphed on 40 occasions.

A further 36 matches have ended all square, including the game in east London last season when Michail Antonio and Nicolo Zaniolo traded goals in a 1-1 draw.

Villa won at the Hammers earlier this season, however, on the opening weekend when debutant Amadou Onana and Duran were the scorers in a 2-1 victory. Lucas Paqueta had netted for West Ham from the penalty spot. They also won when they met at Villa Park last term, a resounding 4-1 success, courtesy of goals from Douglas Luiz (two, one penalty), Ollie Watkins, and Leon Bailey.

The Hammers won five on the bounce against Villa between 2020 and 2022 but have not won any of the last four. Their last meeting in the FA Cup was a quarter-final at Upton Park in 1980. Ray Stewart scored the only goal of the contest and the Hammers, then in the Second Division, went onto win the cup by beating Arsenal in the final.

 

Betting Tip

The FA Cup 2025 betting odds lean towards Villa, both 1X2 @ 1.75 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 1.75. The Hammers are on offer 1X2 @ 3.68 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.07.

I was thinking about a draw @ 3.36, and then I realised the decision to scrap replays was another dagger in the heart of football’s grandest cup competition.

Another 2-1 Villa win, just as on the opening weekend of the season, will pay out @ 7.50 with Correct Score. I do think, in many ways, this is a more important game for West Ham and defeat could spell the end for Lopetegui.

While this SBOTOP wordsmith is not going to go as far as predict an away triumph, I do think they may edge it.

   

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