- West Ham take on Aston Villa in the Premier League at 2:15PM GMT today
- Konstantinos Mavropanos scored the equalizer last weekend against Manchester City
- West Ham can climb out of the relegation zone with a win today
West Ham United have been on a sensational run in 2026, closing down the gap to safety bit-by-bit. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team now have a chance climb out of the bottom three with a win against Aston Villa, with Nottingham Forest taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the two places above the Hammers.
One of West Ham‘s defensive heroes, Konstantinos Mavropanos, has been speaking to the club’s official website saying the team can beat anyone on their day. The Greek international has been key to the Iron’s in 2026, and says the team have more belief than ever.
“I was really, really happy for the whole team, first of all, because against a tough opponent, we showed character,” Mavropanos smiled. “The effort of the team was amazing and that’s why we got a good result as well.
“Personally, I was really happy and grateful for this game because I’m just trying to give the best for the team. To hear little words of credit makes me really, really happy.”
“Luckily, it [the block with my face] was nothing. It hit me on the cheek, with a bit of my eye, a little bit of my nose. If it would come straight to my nose, I think it would be broken!”
Confidence wins football games
Mavropanos is an ever-present in Nuno’s new West Ham side and the 28-year-old is beaming with confidence. The central defender has credited the coaching staff with not only organising the team, but instilling them with a confidence and spirt that allows them to believe they can beat anyone.
“I think the second part of the season has been much better than the first one,” He observed. “We have worked so hard through the tough periods that now we can show it on the pitch. The environment is much better. We have more belief in ourselves, confidence and, yeah, just togetherness.
“Since he came, he (Nuno) tried to give to everyone confidence. He tried to include everyone in the team, to be on the same page, all of us, to fight for each other and have this togetherness.
“And I think this gives us also what you saw on the pitch as well. Like, you can see the effort that we put in as a team, the togetherness and how we can fight for each other.”
Like other members of the defensive unit, Mavropanos has also credited Paco Jemez has having a hug impact on the team.
“I think not only Paco, I think the Head Coach, the whole staff and afterwards Paco as well, they’ve been helping us a lot,” he explained. “Paco obviously was closer with the defenders because he was the one showing us some things that we can improve and we have to improve.
“So, he helped us a lot as well, but I think the whole coaching staff has been incredible. They just try to help us improve and show to the pitch our potential.”
West Ham can beat anyone on a good day
West Ham head to Aston Villa this afternoon knowing it will be a tough test. Unai Emery’s side are chasing Europe once again but are in tough spot with their form at the moment.
“I think in the Premier League, every game is difficult,” Mavropanos continued. “There are not good and bad things. If you are not on a good day, then you are going to struggle. If you are in a good day, then you can beat everyone.
“I think we saw that in the last couple of weeks that we can get results and play good football against really good opponents, so every game is a battle.
“Villa is another tough opponent, but I think we have to focus more on ourselves than what they are doing.
“Game by game, everything can change and I think we have to give more attention to what we have to do and how we are going to play, how we are going to perform. And I think if we are going to perform how we have to perform, then I think we can get a good result as well.”
