HUGE BLOW: Double nightmare for West Ham after official announcement ahead of Aston Villa clash

On Sunday afternoon, West Ham United will travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Aston Villa are flying this season, and they will be a big test for West Ham, but we’ve been in good form as well.
This season, Hammers manager David Moyes has done an excellent job, and we are presently two places and two points behind Unai Emery’s Villa in the Premier League table.

This weekend’s encounter is crucial for both teams, as the clubs from the West Midlands and London compete for a spot in the top six.

However, there appears to be some bad news for West Ham before the game has even begun…

West Ham faces a double nightmare following the official announcement ahead of the Aston Villa match.
The Premier League has announced the referees for the matchweek nine matchups. David Coote will officiate the game, while our old friend Chris Kavanagh will serve as VAR.

We could be in for a long afternoon at Villa Park.

Coote is up first. West Ham have won only two of the 11 games overseen by the 41-year-old (Transfermarkt).

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have won four of the last six Premier League games officiated by Coote (Transfermarkt).

Back in 2020, during our 2-0 loss at Tottenham, Coote made a startling call, allowing an own goal by Tomas Soucek to stand despite the fact that Davinson Sanchez handled the ball before it hit the Czech Republic international (Sky Sports).

Then there’s Chris Kavanagh, who’ll be on VAR this Sunday…

For the Hammers, Kavanagh on VAR might be a nightmare.
West Ham have a long history with the 38-year-old Greater Manchester native.

We have lost nine of the 21 games that Kavanagh has coached, and have only won seven (Transfermarkt).

He’s also been involved in some contentious judgments while officiating our games.

David Moyes was enraged with Kavanagh and the VAR officials when we were denied a late penalty against Liverpool at the London Stadium in April when Thiago clearly handled the ball within his own box (Sky Sports).

He did it again a few weeks later, refusing to award West Ham a penalty kick at Anfield when Jarrod Bowen was obviously knocked down inside the penalty area.

Let us not forget the ridiculous judgement he made two and a half years ago when Fabian Balbuena was also sent off!

The Hammers were defeated 1-0 by Chelsea, and that decision cost us dearly in our pursuit of Champions League football.

I’m hoping that the referee and VAR officials are forgotten after the Aston Villa vs. West Ham match on Sunday. Unfortunately, I believe that is just wishful thinking…