Donyell Malen axed in eight changes – Aston Villa predicted XI vs West Ham
Aston Villa are preparing for a trip to face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.
West Ham will host Villa for the first time since August 2024, with the home side hoping to get back to winning ways after back-to-back 1-1 draws.
Unai Emery comparitively will be hopeful of making it nine wins from nine after Villa secured a 2-1 win away to Basel in the Europa League on Thursday.
Youri Tielemans made the difference against Basel as he came off the bench to net the winner in yet another three points for the Villans.
The B6 outfit will be keen to keep that form up away at the London Stadium, but may do so without Donyell Malen.
Pau Torres to return to starting XI vs West Ham
Victor Lindelof was excellent against Basel and proved himself to be a useful asset, even with Marco Bizot in the net behind him.
Lucas Digne was also busy down the left flank in Switzerland, but the trio could all be absent from the squad away in East London.
Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash could maintain their starting roles after a combined four duel wins last time around on the continent.
Emi Martinez could join the defensive duo in goal, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen, who could all come back from the start.
Boubacar Kamara could also make his return alongside Amadou Onana, who clocked up four recoveries and 100 duel per cent success against Basel.
Tielemans could come back in, after his half time introduction last time out, with the hope of maintaining a high level of impact against the Hammers.
Ollie Watkins may replace Donyell Malen at Aston Villa
There could be a raft of changes to the forward line as Villa look ahead to a trip to the capital.
Sancho and Evann Guessand could drop out of the side, especially after the latter registered a zero per cent pass accuracy in the Europa League.
John McGinn and Morgan Rogers could come back in to replace them after being second-half substitutes away to Basel.
Ollie Watkins may also make a return to the starting XI in E20, with Malen potentially set to face the axe after a quiet night against the Swiss side.
The Dutchman may have maintained an 89 per cent pass accuracy, but failed to register a shot and was largely starved of service, so could take a spot on the bench once again.
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