Off the back of his best season yet, 1.36 seems very generous for a player who scored more goals last year than some forwards had shots on target.

He averaged 1.31 shots on target per game, firing one at goal in an impressive 29 out of his 37 games.

It’s also worth mentioning that all bar two of the matches in which he didn’t test the keeper were in the second half of the season. Three of them, consecutive in Villa’s last three matches. That seems to imply we can put it largely down to fatigue which is hardly surprising for a centre-forward playing 3200+ minutes.

If Onana’s track record with Everton is anything to go by, backing him to commit a foul is a no-brainer.

In each of his two seasons in Merseyside he averaged 1.59 fouls per 90, constantly on the prowl and ready to dive in at any moment. His 6ft 4 stature helps him do this quickly and efficiently although evidence suggests it results in a free-kick pretty frequently.

Last season he sinned at least once in over 80% of his 60+ minute appearances, of which there were 21.

We can expect a real, and possibly dirty contest between him and Paqueta who can get pretty feisty. Last season his average of 2.26 fouls drawn per 90 was the most of any West Ham player.

Following on nicely from the last selection, we’re also backing Paqueta to draw at least two fouls.

As mentioned, his battle with Onana could be fruitful for punters exploiting the value in the fouls market. Onana’s 1.59 fouls per 90 surely supports this argument.

Very few players managed to draw more than Paqueta’s 66 fouls last season, despite him playing only 2600 minutes, an average of one drawn per 40 minutes.

In fact, Paqueta drew 2+ fouls in 20 of his 30 matches (60+ minutes), drawing as many as seven i their 2-0 victory over Man United.

West Ham’s was leaky at best last season and they heavily relied on Areola at times but even he wasn’t enough to stop them conceding 74 goals, the fourth most in the league.

No side required their keeper to make more saves than West Ham’s 171, an average of 5.5 per game. They also conceded the third most xG of any side and the most of any surviving one.

Aston Villa on the other hand were on fine form in front of goal, averaging five shots on target per game. It sure looks like Areola will have a lot of work cut out for him on Saturday.

Despite being confined to substitute appearances, Fullkrug still made a lasting impression during the Euros, scoring from two of his three shots on target and testing the keeper every 54 minutes on average.

He’s averaged comfortably over a shot on target per match in both of his Bundesliga campaigns and looks good value to hit at least one in West Ham’s league opener.

Last season, West Ham averaged over four shots on target per game meanwhile the Villa keeper was exposed to over 4.5. If Fullkrug does indeed make his debut up front, the stats seem to indicate he should get at least a chance or two.

Far and away Aston Villa’s best player last year, we’re backing Watkins to take his form into his side’s opener this season. Only Palmer topped Watkins’ impressive 32-goal contributions in 37 league games, finishing with an average of one every 98 minutes.

Watkins was another talented player whose minutes were limited during the Euros, only managing 58 in total but still finding the back of the net against The Netherlands.

West Ham’s defence was not exactly watertight last year, conceding the fourth most goals and third most expected goals. Although they have made some reinforcements, the opener will come too soon for some and it may take some time for the rest to find their feet.

The goals and assist market isn’t the only one Watkins is useful in; we’re also backing him to draw at least one foul.

In his four seasons in the Premier League, he’s averaged over 1.1 fouls drawn per game in every single one.

New signing, Max Kilman will be one of the centre-backs Watkins comes up against. The Englishman sinned 38 times in his 38 games last year so that’s definitely one possible avenue we’re looking to exploit.

It’s also true that Mavropanos who averaged 0.9 fouls per game may well start alongside Kilman, further enhancing the probability of a foul drawn.

Those familiar with Aston Villa’s new blockbuster signing will know he’s prolific in the fouls market. Last season, he averaged 1.59 fouls per 90, but more importantly, he also drew a remarkable 1.94.

One of the main West Ham culprits likely to be found guilty of bringing him down is Paqueta, who averaged 1.61 per 90 last season.

That said, now under Lopetegui, West Ham are likely to set up with a more aggressive press compared to that under Moyes. At least two of his midfielders typically engage and don’t seem to shy away from a tactical foul if that press is breached.