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
James Jones
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesWest 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
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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.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
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
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 ImagesLondon 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.
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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
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 ImagesWest 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.
Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at the London Stadium (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He says Sunday's match at the London Stadium will be a chance to "celebrate and honour" the memory of club legend Billy Bonds.
He was reluctant to give much away on team news, saying some players still need to be assessed for the weekend.
On who will replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf when they depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, Nuno said Oliver Scarles is back in training so will be an option to play in their place.
He spoke about the importance of the midfield battle on Sunday and said it will often be a "'man-to-man" battle so his players will have to match or better their Villa counterparts.
On the importance of Jarrod Bowen: "I hope he can be involved in every minute because what he gives to the team is huge. He leads by example, but if the situation comes [that he gets injured], I have a group of players who I believe can contribute in the aspect of leadership."
He was asked if the club plan to re-invest the money made from the summer sale of Mohamed Kudus, but simply said it is not the time to think about such things.
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
West Ham have been watching Rio Ave's 26-year-old Brazilian forward Clayton, who is joint top scorer in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. (Teamtalk), external
West Ham's hopes of signing Promise David from Union Saint-Gilloise have suffered a setback as the Canada forward, 24, is reluctant to swap Champions League football for a Premier League relegation battle. (Talksport), external
The Hammers are preparing a January bid for Zulte Waregem's 22-year-old Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Holly Turbutt
Fan contributor
West Ham looked set for a huge win at Brighton but late drama again clipped their wings.
So how can the Hammers make sure they hold onto leads?
Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external
Aston Villa are interested in Strasbourg's 23-year-old Argentinian striker Joaquin Panichelli, with Chelsea and West Ham also monitoring him. (Teamtalk), external
West Ham and Crystal Palace are tracking Lens defender Samson Baidoo, 21, as a reinforcement for their backline. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesThe FA Cup third round will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.
Find out who your Premier League club will play below.
Wolves v Shrewsbury Town
Tottenham v Aston Villa
Wrexham v Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea
Manchester City v Exeter City
West Ham v Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford
Fulham v Middlesbrough
Everton v Sunderland
Liverpool v Barnsley
Burnley v Millwall
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Derby County v Leeds United
Newcastle v Bournemouth
Macclesfield v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Brighton
Image source, Getty ImagesThe draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.
Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.
The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.
All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brighton and West Ham.
Here are some of your comments:
Brighton fans
Mick: A poor game - we got it tactically wrong. West Ham parked the bus and hit us on the break. We lacked intensity, energy and in some cases, effort. Too many passes going astray meant West Ham were always in with a chance. Charalampos Kostoulas should be given a start. Keep the faith.
Sarah: One of the worst games I've ever seen Brighton play! It would've been nice to think we could've settled into a comfortable win over West Ham but our scrappy play, sloppy passing, lack of forward motion and lack of energy or passion made them look like the team who deserved the win. We couldn't keep possession and looked totally out of ideas. Even after we went 1-0 down, we still didn't seem to have any enthusiasm for winning and looked more like we were the team running down the clock!
Jean: You would've thought Brighton were sitting at the bottom of the Premier League. That game was painful to watch.
Doug: Pedestrian football - no plan, kept the ball too long under pressure, and poor passing resulting in either play breaking down or giving the ball away. I would like to see two players on the halfway line when we are defending corners.
West Ham fans
Dave: A better all-round performance, however I don't have any confidence in our manager due to his plan of shutting up shop with only a goal lead. This useless manager has cost us four points. He has got to go as he is just going to get us relegated.
Alan: West Ham were superior throughout and only a gross miscarriage of justice gave Brighton a point. Accidental handball? Brighton fans must be laughing at VAR!
David: Great play and great goal by Jarrod Bowen. Obviously we were very unlucky not to get more. Brighton's goal should have been disallowed because the overhead kick was way too close to Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Mel: Playing without an established striker is never ideal. Bowen works tirelessly for the team but he is not a natural number nine.
