West Ham United co-chairman David Gold admits he is hoping for revenge against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.
Hammers to meet Villans on opening day
West Ham United co-chairman David Gold admits he is hoping for revenge against Aston Villa after they were paired together on the opening day of the Premier League season.
The Hammers are back in the top flight after just one year in the Championship and once again begin their campaign against Villa, the team they played on the opening day of the season two years ago.
Back then Avram Grant's side were thrashed 3-0 at Villa Park, with the season ultimately ending in the heartbreak of relegation.
Gold admits he is keen to see his side gain revenge on the Midlanders when they arrive at Upton Park on August 18.
"It's going to be extremely exciting; we're back in the Premier League," Gold told
Sky Sports News.
"It's Aston Villa first, I'm pleased about that for a number of reasons, one being the last time we played them on the first game of the season two years ago they beat us 3-0 at Aston Villa, so I'm looking forward to them coming here and hopefully we can reverse the score.
Good start
"I think it is important to get off to a good start; the season before last in the Premier League I think we lost our first four games because we were playing big clubs.
"But at home to Aston Villa and away at Swansea, they are winnable games or games you can expect to get something from so we are very excited about it."
When quizzed on the rest of West Ham's fixtures, Gold admitted he sees every game as a highlight, such is the prestige of playing in England's top division.
"I think the Spurs game at home will be exciting, Arsenal at home too, Manchester United, Manchester City, I could go on and on," he added.
"We're back in the Premier League, every game is a club with history, whether it is one we are seeking revenge as we are against Aston Villa or that it is just a great club coming to Upton Park.
"Whether we are playing super clubs or teams that have come up with us like Reading or Southampton, I could make a case that they are all exciting.
Premier League
"This is the Premier League, the most exciting league the world has ever known, I really don't mind who we play."
Gold also revealed that the club's finances have recovered significantly since he and co-chairman David Sullivan bought the club from Icelandic group CB Holding in 2010.
The previous ownership had laden the club with significant debts and a spiralling wage bill which Gold admits had pushed the club perilously close to administration.
However, the 75-year-old is much more optimistic about the club's future, saying: "The club gets stronger with every passing day, when we first arrived it was scary times, the club was close to administration.
"We are clawing our way from that from those issues, we are getting stronger financially.
"The morale is high and the future is bright."
