LONDON _ Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano are used to tangling with world-class stars such as Fabio Cannavaro and Ronaldinho. After the most surprising move of the transfer window, the Argentines must now deal with Liam Ridgewell and Gareth Barry.

Normally, West Ham vs. Aston would shape up a fairly routine game. With Everton and Liverpool meeting in the Merseyside derby and Manchester United hosting Tottenham, the match wouldn't make big headlines outside of the East End of London and Birmingham.

But the arrival of Tevez and Mascherano and speculation that the man who holds their contracts is trying to buy West Ham have stirred up English soccer even more than usual.

With Villa now under the financial control of Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner, and the prospect of another overseas takeover of an English club, Sunday's game at Upton Park is getting a lot more attention.

Lerner is closing in on owning 90 percent of Villa's shares while Media Sports Investment, a company that owns the contracts of West Ham's new Argentine stars, is reported to be interested in buying the Hammers.

Tevez and Mascherano are two of the rising stars of Argentina's national team. If they were to leave their Brazilian club, Corinthians, most observers thought it would be for a powerhouse European team such as AC Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea or Manchester United.

Instead they wound up at West Ham, which has never won the English league title in its 106 year history.

"I was looking for a change in my footballing career and was looking for somewhere which would give me that chance," said Mascherano, a defensive midfielder. "When West Ham came in with the offer, I was very pleased to accept and come here.

"You always go to the place where you are most wanted. I don't think it is a controversial move. We had other offers in the pipeline but nothing ever came of them and West Ham always showed the most interest in us."

A fast-moving goalscorer, Tevez says he's looking forward to taking on some of the Premier League stars.

"We both wanted to play in the Premiership, which is one of the biggest leagues in the world, and that is why we are at West Ham," said the striker, who will go against Villa defenders Ridgewell and Swedish international Olof Mellberg. "Other clubs being interested is a different story, we don't want to talk about that. West Ham showed a lot of interest in us and that's why we are here."

Aston Villa midfielder Barry, who played eight times for England between 2000 and 2003, can't wait to face up to Tevez and Mascherano.

"The big shock was that, one minute they were being linked with Chelsea and Manchester United and, all of a sudden, West Ham signed them," Barry said.

"We will be getting the first of them and hopefully we can show them what the Premiership is all about and (we will be) making the headlines. They are quality players, they are Argentina internationals. But the Premiership is a different ball game."

Tevez and Mascherano will also be up against one of the best coaches in the English game. Martin O'Neill, who guided Celtic to three Scottish league titles and the final of the UEFA Cup, arrived at Villa Park a month ago and his unbeaten team lies third in the standings, three places above the Hammers.

Manchester United is the only team with a maximum of nine points from three games and leads the rest by two. Alex Ferguson's team faces Spurs before 76,000 sellout at Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick expected to play in the Red Devils midfield against his former Tottenham teammates.

Wayne Rooney, who scored twice in United's opening day victory over Fulham, serves the last of his three-game suspension.

Second-place Portsmouth is the only team yet to concede a goal and will be confident of beating mid-standings Wigan at home. Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu, a surprise purchase just before the transfer deadline closed, is the Premier League's top scorer with four goals.

Everton is the other team on seven points and hosts neighbor Liverpool in the 204th Merseyside derby. The Toffees come off a 2-0 victory at Spurs, while Rafa Benitez' Reds beat West Ham two weeks ago.

Defending champion Chelsea lies fifth after two victories and a surprise 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough but hopes to move higher by beating Charlton at home.

Saturday's other games are Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough; Bolton vs. Watford; Newcastle vs. Fulham; Sheffield United vs. Blackburn. On Monday, promoted Reading hosts Manchester City.

A division below in the Football League Championship, surprising Cardiff holds a three-point lead at the top of the standings and will hope for a victory at struggling Preston.