West Ham vs Aston Villa injury news - as 6 players ruled out and 4 doubts for Sunday

Aston Villa travel away to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon as they look to make it three Premier League wins on the bounce. Unai Emery’s side have improved drastically over the last couple of weeks, especially defensively. They will have to rethink things somewhat, however, with plenty of injuries in their way.

Deep-lying midfielder Boubacar Kamara, who limped off during the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend, is sidelined for at least the next five games with an ankle problem. He will be a huge miss but Villa’s squad depth allows for plenty of capable replacements – four of which Emery outlined.

Philippe Coutinho was just starting to get into form with a goal against Arsenal and one disallowed at home to Leicester City, but he is out until after the international break with a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, Belgium ace Leander Dendoncker missed the game last weekend and he remains a doubt due to personal reasons.

Long-term absentees Jed Steer and Diego Carlos (Achilles) are both still out but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. Steer will probably be back in pre-season, but Emery said of Carlos: “He is training with us every day. He’s resting one day and trying to progress with his adaptation again.” Carlos could return in April.

West Ham, who are already suffering from a congested fixture schedule, were struck with three fresh injury concerns during Thursday night’s win over AEK Larnaca. Michail Antonio netted a brace but he was forced off with a calf issue, making him a doubt for this weekend. David Moyes said he will be assessed for Sunday.

Attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta was another player to feel his calf at the tail end of the match, so he is another who could miss out. Flynn Downes is the third player of worry for Moyes as the midfielder was studded in the ankle, leaving it swollen and needing stitches post-match. He could probably play, but it would be a painful one.

Lukasz Fabianksi is still out of action following a nasty cheek and eye injury suffered against Nottingham Forest. Caught by the knee of Forest defender Felipe, the West Ham goalkeeper fractured his cheekbone and eye socket and he has since had an operation to repair some of the damage. He will be back in April.

Right-back Vladimir Coufal, who played a key role in much of The Hammers’ success a couple of seasons ago, remains out with a heel problem. “Coufal is not with us because he has plantar fascitis in his heel,” Moyes said earlier this week. Key man Jarrod Bowen is back and available following a good few days of training.

Ruled out: Fabianski, Coufal (WHU); Kamara, Coutinho, Steer, Carlos (AVL).

Doubts: Antonio, Paqueta, Downes (WHU); Dendoncker (AVL).