Unai Emery has been accused of making a mockery of the integrity of the Premier League with his team selection in Aston Villa’s defeat to Tottenham, but it is a bit rich coming from West Ham.
Fans of not only West Ham but clubs across the country felt Aston Villa’s seven changes for the 2-1 loss at home to Spurs brought the world’s best league into disrepute.
Tottenham Hotspur were obviously delighted to see Unai Emery rest three of Aston Villa’s four first choice defenders and main goalscorer Ollie Watkins among others at Villa Park.
West Ham not so much after they lost 3-0 at Brentford.
West Ham don’t have a leg to stand on in row over Villa team selection vs Spurs
The results mean the Premier League survival battle has swung violently in Tottenham’s favour with three games to go.
Tottenham Hotspur jumped back above the Hammers who have slipped into the bottom three ahead of the visit of title-chasing Arsenal while Spurs welcome Leeds to north London next.
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Emery’s team selection has been a huge topic of debate ever since.
Many Hammers supporters have been venting their spleens on the matter.
Emery responded to West Ham anger during a feisty exchange after the game.
He pointed out Villa have lost three games in a row with different players in each game.
Not all West Ham fans have been blaming the Spaniard for handing Spurs the advantage in the race for survival.
But those who are do not have a leg to stand on after what David Moyes did three years ago.
Some Hammers fans have short memories after what Moyes did
Of course emotions are heightened in the heat of a relegation battle. Especially as it is one that pits West Ham head-to-head with bitter rivals Tottenham.
It seems some West Ham fans have incredibly short memories, though.
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Ultimately Emery has the right to use his squad, and pick whatever side, as he sees fit – just as Moyes did in a game against Leicester when the Hammers were preparing for their Europa Conference League final in 2023.
West Ham’s first European final for 47 years was clearly the priority when Moyes made six changes to his side for a 2-1 defeat to Leicester on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign.
Not just any players either.
First choice Hammers stars Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma, Emerson, Manuel Lanzini and Alphonse Areola were among those rested.
Meanwhile the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Said Benrahama and Michail Antonio started but were withdrawn early in the game.
The victory saw the Foxes relegated after Everton also won against Bournemouth.
West Ham fans didn’t care a jot about Moyes’ team selection for that game against Leicester. In fact the same supporters slamming Emery now may well have been advocating Moyes’ approach given what was at stake for the Hammers.
Moyes’ changes had the desired effect too as West Ham went on to win their first major trophy for 43 years.
Aston Villa, without a major trophy since 1980 themselves, will be hoping they can go on and do the same by turning around their 1-0 deficit to Forest in their Europa League semi-final.
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