Aston Villa travel to face West Ham with six summer signings in contention for a place in Unai Emery’s matchday squad. However, Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby, who provided a total of 38 goals and assists last season, have both since departed Villa Park.
Questions over Villa’s readiness for the new season have been heightened by star striker Ollie Watkins not playing a single minute in pre-season, following his involvement in the European Championship final.
Emery, though, is one of the most meticulous coaches in Europe, and relishes the challenge of integrating new signings into his carefully crafted system.
Just last season, January acquisition Morgan Rogers was fast-tracked into the starting 11 when an injury crisis threatened to derail Villa’s push for the Champions League.
Now one of Villa’s most exciting attacking outlets, Rogers looks set to be one of the first names on the teamsheet come Saturday evening.
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Opposition analysis
With Julen Lopetegui now taking charge at West Ham, the Hammers have certainly caught the eye with their transfer business this summer.
Notable arrivals include Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Niclas Füllkrug, all of whom will be hoping to make their competitive debuts.
Whether it be Füllkrug or Michael Antonio starting up front, Villa’s defence could be troubled physically at the London Stadium.
The recent omission of Diego Carlos, who was regularly Emery’s centre-back of choice against physically dominant number nines last season, only increases this threat. The Brazilian defender may regain a place on the bench but is highly unlikely to start on the opening day.
Edson Álvarez is the only injury absentee for Lopetegui to contend with after the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury in the Copa América. The Spanish manager has Guido Rodríguez, Tomáš Souček and James Ward-Prowse available as viable options to replace the Mexican.
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Tactical set-ups
Villa’s system will utilise their left back, whether that be Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen, in an advanced role, with the opposite full-back slotting in to form an in-possession back three.
Space will therefore be created for Leon Bailey to attack against Emerson in wide areas, with 1v1 opportunities expected for the Jamaican.
Bailey scored twelve goals and provided thirteen assists across his most prolific campaign to date last term.
Despite being away from home, Emery’s side will seek to control the match with a measured and often patient style of build-up play.
Pau Torres is key to this, with the centre-back having more touches per 90 minutes than any other Villa player in the Premier League last season.
He will look to dictate the tempo of the game, draw pressure from the opposition's front line, and then play cutting passes into the feet of Rogers or John McGinn.
For the hosts, Lopetegui looks likely to deploy newly-named captain Jarred Bowen on the right wing, potentially threatening Villa in transitional moments.
It means that Amadou Onana’s ability to cover the space vacated by Emery’s advanced left-back is set to be tested, with the aim of preventing direct duels between Bowen and Pau Torres.
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Expectations
Despite last year’s league positions, home advantage places West Ham as slight favourites ahead of the two clubs’ season opener. However, a close encounter should be expected, with the first goal of the game potentially crucial to its outcome.
Villa conceded first on the road 14 times last season, going on to win on just two of those occasions.
With this being the first game of the season, expect both teams to take full advantage of their benches, especially given the newly added players available to both clubs. Jaden Philogene, Ross Barkley, and Enzo Barrenechea are amongst those likely to be called upon in reserve for the visitors.
Emery will be targeting Villa’s first-ever win at the London Stadium, with fans’ eyes set on starting the most exciting season in the club’s recent history off on the right foot.
