Aston Villa will play hosts to West Ham United at Villa Park on Wednesday night hoping to secure a home victory in the Premier League. The Villans managed to earn a hard-fought 1-0 win over Southampton last weekend, which will give them a lot of confidence heading into this midweek fixture versus the Hammers.
Dean Smith will once again choose to go with the 4-2-3-1 formation but is not expected to make any changes to his side for this league clash at home. Ross Barkley scored the only goal of the game versus the Saints, so he will be a nailed-on starter in the number ten position while Anwar El Ghazi settles for a spot on the bench.
4-2-3-1 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face West Ham United
Defence
Emiliano Martinez will be a nailed-on starter in goal for Smith’s side after he kept a clean sheet in his last league outing. Ezri Konsa will resume his centre-back partnership with Tyronne Mings at the heart of the Aston Villa defence as they look to stop West Ham’s Michail Antonio from scoring in midweek.
Matty Cash will get the nod to function at right-back while Matt Targett hopes to produce another industrious performance on the other flank as the left-back. Both of them will get the license to venture forward and create some meaningful openings for the front players.
Neil Taylor and Bjorn Engels will be available for selection on the Villans bench as they offer cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
Douglas Luiz will partner up with John McGinn in the holding midfield positions. They will look to work hard towards limiting West Ham’s chances on the counter. The talented trio of Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley and Bertrand Traore will operate just ahead of them as part of Dean Smith’s attack.
Grealish will carry most of the creative burden for his team while Barkley hopes to put on another productive display from the number ten position. Anwar El Ghazi, Morgan Sanson and Trezeguet will make up the numbers on the bench but could come on to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if needed.
Attack
Ollie Watkins will lead the line for the West Midlands club in the final third. He has to find a way to get his name on the scoresheet after another goalless display in the Premier League last weekend.
