West Ham boss Graham Potter has been given a huge boost for the Premier League clash with Aston Villa but has problems at the back.
West Ham face Aston Villa knowing a win could see them rise to 12th in the Premier League table.
For Aston Villa, victory will ensure they close the gap on the European places.
That looks well out of West Ham’s reach now as a result of their dismal season to date.
Graham Potter will be hoping to lead the Hammers to a much more positive second half of the campaign.
Things certainly started positively when Potter took charge of West Ham for the first time at Aston Villa in the FA Cup two weeks ago.
Despite having had only one training session with his players, Potter got an instant tune out of the side at Villa Park.
Predicted: Potter makes two West Ham changes for Villa
West Ham deservedly led that game 1-0 at half-time. But injuries to Niclas Fullkrug and their star player on the night Crysencio Summerville, handed the impetus to Villa for a 2-1 comeback win.
The Hammers have beaten Fulham but lost to Palace since.
Aston Villa beat Everton and drew at Arsenal since.
But Unai Emery’s side did lose a big Champions League game to Monaco in midweek.
Villa are without West Ham bogeyman Amadou Onana to injury.
The rangy midfielder has scored in both of Villa’s 2-1 wins over West Ham this season.
Villa welcome back captain John McGinn but the Hammers have some good news of their own.
We predict Potter makes two West Ham changes for Aston Villa as stars return to the fold.
The Irons have major issues in defence.
Summerville gives West Ham a huge boost
Jean-Clair Todibo is out for at least another four to six weeks with injury.
So the last thing Potter needed last weekend was Konstantinos Mavropanos picking up a brainless red card for a high foot when already on a booking.
It means West Ham are now down to just one senior recognised centre-back in Max Kilman.
The £40m summer signing has not been in great form either.
So Aston Villa’s forwards will undoubtedly be licking their lips.
Potter’s first change will see Mavropanos replaced by Vladimir Coufal.
West Ham will play a back five but it seems unlikely Potter will throw youngster Kaelan Casey in for his first start against the likes of Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
Potter to start Coufal over Casey at Villa?
Either Coufal or Aaron Wan-Bissaka will play at right wingback with the other at right centre-back.
Kilman and Aaron Cresswell will complete the back three with Emerson at left wingback.
Guido Rodriguez looks likely to drop out of the side in change number two.
His replacement will be fit again Summerville.
Either Lucas Paqueta or Mohammed Kudus will play up front with Summerville in support.
The best news of the day will be that captain Jarrod Bowen is back in the travelling squad.
Bowen will start on the bench and depending on how the game unfolds, Potter will weigh up the risk to reward of bringing the skipper on against Aston Villa.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Aston Villa:
Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Coufal, Kilman, Cresswell, Emerson, Alvarez, Soucek, Summerville, Kudus, Paqueta.
Aston Villa vs West Ham kicks off at 4.30pm and is being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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