Villa return to the London Stadium this evening, which was of course the scene of our remarkable survival last season.
How things can change in just a matter of mere weeks in football.
This is a rejuventated Villa side, that whilst having come unstuck against Brighton, are a very different proposition to the squad that clung to safely last term.
Villa arrive to face West Ham in overall good shape, but we should also be wary that The Hammers, unfashionable as they may be under Moyes, are picking up points.
Indeed, they aren’t far behind us in 11th, on 14 points.
Dean Smith will be hoping that a leggy looking group have overcome their post-international fatigue. Luiz, McGinn, Mings and Grealish didn’t perform to the highs that we’ve come to expect in the home defeat to Brighton.
Conor Hourihane will come in for the injured Ross Barkley, with the Irishman short on club game-time of late. Barkley’s absence will be a big loss, with the Chelsea loanee expected to be out for 3 weeks.
Positively, Villa’s away form has been better than that at home so far and a win tonight would propel us into the lofty heights of the top four, with a game in hand.
VILLA TEAM NEWS
Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett.
McGinn, Luiz, Hourihane, Trezeguet, Grealish (Captain).
Watkins
On the bench for Villa:
Steer, Elmohamady, Taylor, Nakamba, Traore, El Ghazi, Ramsay.
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