Jamie Carragher has sent a message of hope to West Ham about their chances of Premier League survival following the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
The Hammers had the chance to climb out of the relegation zone heading into the two-week international break when they went to Villa Park on Sunday.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have done remarkably well to be in with a chance of Premier League survival having been cut well adrift of safety at the turn of the year.
But each time West Ham have the chance to actually pull themselves out of the drop zone, they fail to make it count.
Carragher tells West Ham not to get disheartened, says they can still survive
That was the case once again as a goal in either half put the Hammers to the sword in a defeat which could and should have been by a wider margin.
Forest’s 3-0 win at Spurs and Leeds’ draw with Brentford means Spurs are now the only side West Ham can climb above when Premier League action resumes against Wolves next month.
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Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of West Ham United, looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on March 22, 2026. Sweden's coach Graham Potter arrives on the pitch prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification Group B football match between Sweden and Slovenia, in Solna on November 18, 2025.
Most analysts predict 38 points will be enough to stay up this season. But West Ham’s inferior goal difference is worth a point to the other three sides in the relegation mix.
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With seven games to go, Nuno’s side likely need three wins – and possibly a draw too.
Nuno Espirito Santo, head coach of West Ham United, reacts during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse /Getty Images
But the Hammers should not be too disheartened after their run of good form came to an end.
That’s according to top Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who has sent West Ham a message of hope after the Villa defeat.
“It’s huge for them (Wolves at home next) and they shouldn’t get too disheartened (by the defeat to Villa),” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday Extra Time show.
“They’ve lost a game at one of the toughest places to go in the Premier League, they didn’t play particularly well and they have been in great form.
Carragher says West Ham have the best fixture next
“But when you’re a team near the bottom you’re not going to be playing well every week, that’s just the nature of why you’re near the bottom.
“Dust yourselves down, forget today happened really and really focus on the next couple of weeks because that game (vs Wolves) is absolutely huge. You look at who Tottenham are playing, they’re away from home at Sunderland – not an easy game – you look at Leeds’ game (away to Man United) and Nottingham Forest have Aston Villa.
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“So they’ve actually got the best fixture, after that week’s football they could be in a lot healthier position than they are right now.”
Carragher also pointed out that West Ham must realise losing a game here and there is not unique to them in this wide open Premier League.
“Whatever end of the table you are, you can’t get too disheartened with losing a couple of games,” Carragher added.
“Because it’s happening to everybody, right throughout the Premier League, and it’s really important West Ham don’t dwell on that too long.”
Relegation run-in remaining fixtures:
Team Remaining fixtures (Opponent + H/A)
West Ham United Wolves (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (A) and Leeds United (H)
Nottingham Forest Aston Villa (H), Burnley (H), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle United (H), Man United (A) and Bournemouth (H)
Tottenham Hotspur Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds United (H), Chelsea (A) and Everton (H)
Leeds United Man United (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (A), Brighton (H) and West Ham (A)
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