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Match Preview – Swansea v West Ham

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West Ham will visit Swansea’s Liberty Stadium for the first time since it opening in 2005.

It was the perfect start last weekend as Kevin Nolan scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the opening game of the season.

Despite the game not having many talking points, the goal initially looked to have been fairly controversial but replay show that Ricardo Vaz Te was ruled onside before he played the ball back into the box for Nolan to slot home.

We were introduced to Mohamed Diame, who was impressive in midfield, while we also welcomed back James Collins who put in a man-of-the-match performance against his former club. Striker Modibo Maigo came on with ten minutes left and almost marked his debut with a goal when he rounded Shay Given, but his shot was blocked on the line to deny him a dream debut.

The performance, although average, showed promise of a tight defence and we looked difficult to break down throughout. We mustn’t get carried away, though. Villa were poor and rarely threatened Jussi Jaaskelainen in goal. However, that’s no taking anything away from how we performed as a team.

Today we confirmed the signing of Matt Jarvis who will add a new dimension to our attacking options. He looks like he could be the next Matty Etherington, which means we can look forward to pacy runs down the wing and dangerous deliveries in the box – something we’ve been missing for some time.

Swansea got their season off to a dream start with a 5-0 win away to QPR last week and will be hoping to recreate that kind of display in front of their own fans tomorrow.

The likes of Scott Sinclair Nathan Dyer and Michu will pose a serious threat to the Hammers but, if the side can stay as tight and solid as they were against Villa, Swansea will have trouble scoring one, let along five.

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Team News

Swansea City (3rd, 3pts)

New signing Kyle Bartley could replace Chico Flores who has a late fitness test.

Fellow new arrivals Ki Sung-yeung and Itay Scechter are inelegible as their moves from Celtic and Kaiserslauten weren’t completed in time.

West Ham United (8th, 3pts)

Club record-signing Matt Jarvis goes straight into the squad and is expected to start.

Jack Collison remains sidelined with a recurring knee injury.

Modibo Maiga will be hoping to make his first start for the Hammers but may have to settle for the bench, while midfielder Alou Diarra still waits for his debut.

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The Match in Numbers

13 – West Ham won 13 away games in the Championship last year, which is a new club-record.

4 – Despite this, the Hammers have lost their last four Premier League away fixtures.

6 – West Ham are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Swansea.

32 – It is 32 years since Swansea last won a league game against West Ham.

6 – Big Sam’s team has won their last six competitive fixtures.

10 – The Hammers are unbeaten in 10 competitive games.

13 – It is 13 years since these sides last met in a competitive fixture.

1 – Only one player has ever had an affiliation with both clubs. Leon Britton, who never made a single appearance for the Hammers, joined Swansea in 2003.

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Head-to-Head (all competitions) 

Swansea City – 16

Draws – 12

West Ham United – 23

Hammers sign Jarvis

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Matt Jarvis has signed for the club in a reported club-record £10.75m deal.

West Ham have announced the signing of winger Matt Jarvis from Wolves in a club-record deal reported to be worth up to £11m.

The 26-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a five year deal and goes straight into the squad that will face Swansea tomorrow (Saturday). He will wear the No.7 shirt.

West Ham United 1-0 Aston Villa – Match Report

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Carlton Cole looks on as Kevin Nolan celebrates his winner against Aston Villa.

On the hottest day of the year it was time to kick-off the new season back in the Premier League. Upton Park was the venue for this battle of the two sides who don the claret and blue kits.

West Ham United 1-0 Aston Villa – Match Report

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Carlton Cole looks on as Kevin Nolan celebrates his winner against Aston Villa.

On the hottest day of the year it was time to kick-off the new season back in the Premier League. Upton Park was the venue for this battle of the two sides who don the claret and blue kits.

Match Preview – West Ham v Aston Villa

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Big Sam got the Hammers promoted, but has he done enough this summer to keep them in the Premier League?

It’s back at last! We’re back at last! The Hammers kick-off their first game back in the Premier League tomorrow in one of the most anticipated campaign openers in recent history.

We’re all still on a high following that famous Wembley victory over Blackpool in the Play-Off Final back in May and, as a new Premier League season dawns, a mixture of anxious feelings and excitement will see Upton Park bouncing on Saturday.

It has been a funny old pre-season, though. Several players were released as Big Sam began planning for top-flight football. The dead wood was let go and attempts to bring in new blood have been both frustrating and successful at the same time.

Eight players have joined the club this summer and all hope to make a big impact. The ones that stand out, though, are Modibo Maiga, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Alou Diarra and James Collins.

Collins returns to the club after spending the last three years at Aston Villa and it’ll be a dream second debut for him if he can help the Hammers get off to a great side against his former club.

We’re all hoping that Big Sam has brought in enough quality to survive in the Premier League, although he’s still got two weeks to add more if he feels he needs to.

On paper, the squad looks good enough to compete in the top-flight and it’s not too unrealistic to expect a mid-table finish. It’s vital that we stay in the division, though. Then the club can begin building for the future, which may or may not involve the Olympic Stadium.

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Team News

West Ham United

Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson, Mohamed Diame, Alou Diarra, and Modibo Maiga will be hoping to make their debuts for the Hammers.

Jack Collison is expected to be out due to a long-term knee injury that has kept him out for the whole of pre-season.

Skipper Kevin Nolan is expected to feature despite missing the last pre-season match against SC Braga with a toe inujry.

Aston Villa

Matthew Lowton, Ron Vlaar, Karim El Ahmadi and Brett Holman are the players hoping to make their debuts for Villa.

There are no reported injury problems for Paul Lambert’s side.

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The Match in Numbers

2012 – West Ham are currently unbeaten at home this year.

21 – The Hammers ended last season strongly, losing just once in their final 21 league outings – including their three Play-Off ties.

324 – Sam Allardyce is taking charge of his 324th Premier League match. Harry Redknapp (593) and Alan Curbishley (328) are the only Englishmen with more.

7 – Villa recorded just seven wins in the Premier League last season.

5 – The Villians haven’t won their last five away opening day Premier League fixtures. Their last was a 1-0 win over Newcastle in 1999.

150 – Darren Bent is two goals away from 150 league goals.

3 – Defender George McCartney could make his third debut for the Hammers, after making last season’s loan move permanent.

8 – Eight of the 16 Premier League matches at Upton Park between these two sides have been draws.

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Head-to-Head (all competitions)

West Ham United – 37

Draws – 31

Aston Villa – 37