Premier League football is back after the international break and West Ham are playing on Monday night. The Hammers travel to Birmingham to take on newly-promoted Aston Villa in this top-flight clash.
West Ham are in good form heading into this game with two wins and a draw in their last three league games. Add the EFL Cup win to the mix and West Ham are searching for four consecutive victories in all competitions. But here are three Aston Villa players who could end the Irons’ strong run.
Tyrone Mings
Aston Villa found a new hero when they signed Tyrone Mings on loan from Bournemouth last January. The 26-year-old central defender, who can also play at left-back, shored up the defence and helped Dean Smith’s men to a play-off final win.
Mings signed permanently for Aston Villa this summer and he is the rock at the back. Fresh from his first England call-up, Mings will try to keep Sebastien Haller quiet and cause some problems with his aerial presence at set-pieces too.
John McGinn
West Ham were very briefly mentioned as a potential destination for John McGinn this summer (Daily Mail). It is clear to see why as the Scotland international has dictated play from midfield this season.
Since joining from Hibernian last summer, McGinn has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists for Aston Villa. The 24-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder with boundless energy and he needs to be contained at Villa Park.
Jack Grealish
Aston Villa’s flair player and talisman is Jack Grealish. The 24-year-old has one goal and two assists this season and he is a constant threat with his technical ability on the ball.
West Ham’s defenders will be well aware of the threat Grealish poses, especially with target man Wesley Moraes to aim at. The England hopeful will be on Declan Rice’s radar as the Irons look to nullify his threat.
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