West Ham XI vs Aston Villa: Niclas Fullkrug debut, confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest | OneFootball

The Hammers have eight new summer signings vying to feature in Premier League opener

Julen Lopetegui says he will make a late call on which of West Ham’s summer signings to include in his squad for Saturday’s Premier League opening fixture against Aston Villa.

West Ham host Unai Emery’s Champions League qualifiers at the London Stadium, having clinched eight new arrivals already this summer after replacing David Moyes with ex-Wolves boss Lopetegui in the dugout.

The Spaniard revealed on Thursday that he has no immediate injury issues in his squad, beyond the absence of Edson Alvarez, and will make a last-minute call on his starting lineup and matchday squad to face Villa on Friday.

Asked whether he has any injury concerns, Lopetegui said: “No. Fortunately at the moment, we don’t have bad news about injuries. We have to be aware about the kind of preparation we have for any players that are later than others.

“Tomorrow we are going to have more information. Right now, that’s all we know about the injuries.”

When asked if any of West Ham’s new signings could face Villa, he added: “Yes. We are trying to wait until tomorrow. We will make a last-minute decision on the lineup.

“It’s just about tomorrow. More or less we have it [the starting XI] in our minds, but we will see.

“Some of them are more ready than others. We will see [which of] the new signings are ready. Others will have to wait a little bit.

Predicted West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez; Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta; Fullkrug

Injuries: Alvarez

Doubts: None

Date and time: 5:30pm BST on Saturday August 17, 2024

Venue: London Stadium