Malen debut, Duran decision - Aston Villa starting XI vs West Ham predicted
Aston Villa turn their attention back to Premier League duties this Sunday as Unai Emery's side face West Ham at Villa Park.
They go into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League and will host Celtic for their final league phase fixture on Wednesday. A win over the Scottish champions is a must to give themselves a chance to secure automatic passage to the round of 16, but Emery will be demanding full focus on the clash against the Hammers on Sunday.
Graham Potter took his first game in charge of West Ham in the FA Cup against Villa two weeks ago. Villa came from behind to win 2-1 after goals in quick succession from Morgan Rogers and Amadou Onana.
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West Ham then beat Fulham at home in Potter's first league game, before they were defeated at the London Stadium by Crystal Palace last weekend. Following their 2-1 win at the London Stadium on the opening weekend, Villa are looking to complete their first league double over West Ham since 2010-11.
Only Arsenal (14) are on a longer home unbeaten run in the Premier League than Villa (10), who play after Bournemouth, Newcastle, Man City and Arsenal this weekend.
Emi Martinez will start in goal behind a defence likely to be made up of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne. Youri Tielemans is expected to continue in the double pivot with Boubacar Kamara with Amadou Onana out and Ross Barkley yet to return to action.
Ollie Watkins could keep his place up front even though Jhon Duran was once again named on the bench in midweek, while Morgan Rogers will support him. Jacob Ramsey could play off the left, while Emery may hand a debut for Donyell Malen, who'd play off the right.
Predicted Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Malen, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins.
