It is vitally important that West Ham United take something from their trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
With relegation rivals Tottenham and Nottingham Forest playing each other on Sunday, West Ham United can capitalise in their quest for Premier League survival.
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A graphic asking West Ham United fans how confident they are of Premie League survivial on a scale of 1-10.
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Indeed, there is a distinct possibility that West Ham will be out of the relegation zone in the Premier League table with only seven games to play.
To ensure that happens, this is the team that Nuno Espirito Santo needs to pick at Villa Park.
Adama Traore replaces Jean-Clair Todibo as West Ham go back to 4-4-2
In an ideal world, of course, Crysencio Summerville would be lining up on the left-hand side of a four across midfield.
However, Summerville is a doubt for West Ham’s game against Aston Villa, having suffered a calf injury against Brentford earlier this month.
Nuno, then, should turn to Adama Traore and drop one of the central defenders he deployed against Manchester City.
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A graphic showing the lineup that West Ham United should pick against Aston Villa in the Premier League on 19/03/2026.
Credit: GRV Media
While doing that would be harsh on any of them, Jean-Clair Todibo looks like the most logical one to drop, given how well Axel Disasi has performed since he signed and the sheer level of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ performance against Man City.
Adama Traore during West Ham United v Brentford - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
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Traore is not the most natural fit on the left but has operated there before under Nuno during their time together at Wolves.
West Ham need to go on the front foot here, hence the shift into a slightly more attacking formation. Not having Summerville is clearly a major blow but it doesn’t mean Nuno can afford to go on the defensive.
It was understandable against City but this Villa team look there for the taking right now. Unai Emery’s side have lost three consecutive games and appear to be in a tailspin, while they are also in action in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Traore has not yet fully convinced here in east London but Sunday’s game could yet be a huge moment for him.
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