Only in 1997-98 did Aston Villa accrue fewer points after the opening five games of a Premier League campaign (three) than they have managed this season (four).
West Ham have suffered just one defeat in their past nine top-flight games (W5 D3), after losing five of the seven before that.
Eight of the 41 Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and West Ham have ended goalless, the highest proportion (19.5%) of any fixture in the competition that's been played 30-plus times.
Since their return to the Premier League in 2012-13, West Ham have picked up 22 red cards in the competition (level with Arsenal), with only Newcastle managing more during this period (26).
Mike Dean racked up his 102nd red card in the Premier League, 35 more than any other referee has awarded in the competition (Phil Dowd is next on 67).
Since the start of last season, Aston Villa's Jack Grealish has been fouled 179 times in league football (including play-offs), 49 more than any other player in the top four tiers.
