Nuno Espirito Santo has returned Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa to his starting XI for West Ham United’s clash against Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa.
In a surprise call, Nuno rested Potts and Magassa during the 1-1 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion last time out, Guido Rodriguez making his first start since August as a result.
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The midfield duo are back in today, though, alongside Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta. Nuno picks Konstantinos Mavropanos over Max Kilman at centre-back again two, while reverting to a four-man defensive set-up.
Kilman and Rodriguez are the two players to drop out of West Ham United’s XI.
Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa return for West Ham United
Ollie Scarles makes his return to the Hammers squad after two months out with a shoulder injury. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf start, meanwhile, in what will be their final outing before the African Cup of Nations.
As for Aston Villa, Emi Martinez and Pau Torres miss out in what is a major blow to a side who have won nine of their last ten Premier League matches. Marco Bizot, unconvincing in the Europa League against Basel on Thursday, starts in goal. Victor Lindelof comes in for Torres at the back, meanwhile.
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