Unai Emery has made three changes to the Aston Villa side that lost 3-1 to Manchester United last weekend. Matty Cash returns at right-back after his substitute appearance in Thursday’s Europa League win over Lille, replacing Lamare Bogarde. Pau Torres slots back into defence, while Jadon Sancho, outstanding against Lille, earns his starting spot and keeps it. Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings drop to the bench, with both available as options if Emery needs to shift the game. Interestingly, Ross Barkley starts: a selection that adds experience and physicality in midfield. Ollie Watkins leads the line, supported by Morgan Rogers and Sancho on either side. It is a lineup that balances defensive solidity with attacking creativity. On paper, it looks strong.
West Ham stay unchanged but Summerville’s absence hurts
Nuno Espírito Santo names an unchanged side from the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, showing confidence in the group that has driven their recent resurgence. However, the confirmed absence of Crysencio Summerville is a significant blow for the visitors. The winger remains sidelined with a calf injury and the numbers surrounding his absence are damning. West Ham have failed to win any of the six Premier League games this season where Summerville has not featured. That is a dependency the Hammers simply cannot ignore, and one Villa will look to exploit. Jarrod Bowen carries the creative burden again, with Tomáš Souček providing the engine in midfield and Jean-Clair Todibo adding aerial presence in defence. Nuno has a plan, but missing their most dangerous wide player is a real handicap.
The key battles: where Sunday’s game will be won and lost
Look at both lineups and three individual battles stand out. First, Sancho vs Wan-Bissaka: two former Manchester United players going head to head on the right flank. Sancho’s confidence is sky-high after Thursday, while Wan-Bissaka is a tenacious defender who will make nothing easy. Second, Rogers vs Disasi in the pockets between the lines. Rogers has changed every single game he has scored in this season, and Disasi must track his intelligent runs throughout. Third, Bowen vs Digne on the left — Villa’s French full-back faces the most in-form creator in West Ham’s side. If Digne handles Bowen effectively, Villa’s defensive shape holds firm. If not, West Ham have a way back into the game. Three o’clock Sunday cannot come soon enough.
