Nolan aims for winning start

Kevin Nolan: West Ham captain will again play an important role for them next season

West Ham are determined to begin their season with a win against Aston Villa at Upton Park, according to their skipper Kevin Nolan.

The Hammers claimed promotion to the top-flight via the Championship play-offs last season and will begin their campaign on August 18th.

Sam Allardyce will want his side to signal their intent to the rest of the division and, playing in front of their passionate fans, Nolan insists they will be going for a positive result.

"It's a home game to get us started which is great for us," Nolan told the club's official website.

Impress

"Aston Villa are a very good side and they have a new manager so their players will be looking to impress, but we are aiming to kick off the campaign in a positive way on our own ground and look to try and win the game if we can to get ourselves off the mark

"There can be some strange results early in the season as all the teams look to settle into their routines, but if we can make a solid start, then that will be good for us.

"Nothing is sorted early in the season, but if we can start as well as we can do, then we give ourselves something to build on."