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
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.
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Aston Villapublished at 10:13 GMT 14 December 2025
10:13 GMT 14 December 2025
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.
West Ham v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:03 GMT 13 December 2025
13:03 GMT 13 December 2025
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.
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.
Nuno on full-back options, the midfield battle & Bowenpublished at 14:34 GMT 12 December 2025
14:34 GMT 12 December 2025
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.
Gossip: West Ham watch in-form Claytonpublished at 07:52 GMT 11 December 2025
07:52 GMT 11 December 2025
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
Gossip: West Ham track Baidoopublished at 07:36 GMT 9 December 2025
07:36 GMT 9 December 2025
Aston Villa are interested in Strasbourg's 23-year-old Argentinian striker Joaquin Panichelli, with Chelsea and West Ham also monitoring him. (Teamtalk), external
FA Cup third round draw detailspublished at 13:45 GMT 8 December 2025
13:45 GMT 8 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
The 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.
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.
Brighton equaliser against West Ham leaves MOTD pundits 'frustrated'published at 08:23 GMT 8 December 2025
08:23 GMT 8 December 2025
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Match of the Day's Thomas Hitzlsperger and Shay Given unpick Georginio Rutter's late equaliser for Brighton in their 1-1 draw with West Ham, and share a number of "frustrations" that it was allowed to stand.
Analysis: West Ham continue to show resiliencepublished at 16:28 GMT 7 December 2025
16:28 GMT 7 December 2025
Charlotte Coates BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Two wins, three draws and a defeat in their last six Premier League matches. Have West Ham turned a corner under Nuno Espirito Santo?
Hammers fans will rightfully be disappointed after conceding such a late goal, but the losing feeling is disappearing as they now sit just two points adrift of Nottingham Forest in 17th.
Trips to Manchester United and Brighton are by no means easy, but West Ham can be pleased with two points.
The Hammers can have reason for optimism as the festive period continues to gather pace. They welcome in-form Aston Villa to London next up, but this recent run of form should give confidence.
And with Bowen in their team, they are capable of scoring a goal out of nothing - much like at the Amex Stadium.
It was a wonderful finish from the Hammers captain, who continues to attempt to drag his side towards safety.
Brighton 1-1 West Ham: What Nuno and Bowen saidpublished at 16:26 GMT 7 December 2025
16:26 GMT 7 December 2025
Media caption,
West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to Sky Sports following the draw at Amex Stadium: "It is cruel not to get the win. Brighton's goal was a handball, wasn't it? Plus a high foot. There's no need to speak with the referee. I think it was the main factor.
"The chances we had, it was a good game. The first-half was good from us, we created problems and contained them. They didn't have much to do.
"We scored and tried to close out the game, but we couldn't. We had good situations, but you have to improve on that. The players are disappointed."
West Ham goalscorer Jarrod Bowen has also been speaking to Sky Sports about the performance: "I'm gutted, it feels like loss. We did so much to get into the lead but we sat too far back and invited the pressure. We wanted to protect the lead and we got a point, but it feels like a loss.
"We limited them most of the game and they didn't have lots to do in goal. The way the manager wants to play, we have all bought into that. We got ourselves into a good position and nearly had more goals, but then they managed to equalise. They have scored lots of late goals against us in the past."
On scoring his goal: "When you haven't scored in a while, the hardest chances are when they go in. That is always the way. I knew I had to slide and go for the far corner, it was almost like a slide tackle to finish. It was a relief to score.
"We have to take our chances. The goalkeeper made a double save and you have to give credit to them as well. Every goal is vital. When you create these chances, you grow in confidence."
Did you know?
Only Newcastle and Leeds (6) have conceded more 90th-minute goals in the Premier League this season than West Ham (5).
Jarrod Bowen has been directly involved in 99 goals for West Ham in the Premier League (60 goals, 39 assists), with only Michail Antonio netting more goals (68) and registering more assists (101) for the Hammers in the competition.