West Ham United Vs Aston Villa | Nuno pulls another line-up surprise

With what purported to be a complete squad available for selection , Nuno Espírito Santo could look forward to the home game against Aston Villa this afternoon at least knowing he could select his strongest side.

West Ham fans have become familiar with their Portugese head coach tinkering with selection and even swapping formation and style mid game. Trying to protect a solitary goal lead for half a game has proved too much for his West Ham squad so we have to hop that particular tactic has been consigned to the circular file.

The team news is out and Nuno has again raised eyebrows with a switch up of the starting eleven for the 2pm kick off. His chosen team is as follows:

West Ham United:

Areola | Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf | Potts, Fernandes, Magassa | Summerville, Paquetá,  Bowen (c)

Which means there’s no place in the starting eleven for £40 million man Max Kilman nor for a recognised striker, Callum Wilson sitting this one out no doubt hoping for a later entrance. Kanté again on the bench but no Earthy.

Generally this must be considered Nuno’s best starting eleven: No dodgy ‘players starting out of position’ or ‘five at the back’ formations. Which in itself is something of a pleasant surprise!

We’ll be back with ‘Gonzo’s player ratings’ and my ‘Nuno Espírito Santo-rated’ immediately after the final whistle along with match reports later this afternoon so check back to compare your thoughts withers and get your comments published when we make the forum just about live for readers to rant, vent or crow depending upon the next couple of hours!