West Ham vs Aston Villa team news: Starting lineups confirmed at London Stadium

Julen Lopetegui and Unai Emery have named their respective starting lineups and substitutes ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League season opener at London Stadium.

Both teams will believe they can kick-start the season in style, seeking to get three points on the board ahead of challenging for the European spots. Villa will of course already be playing on the nearby continent this term after qualifying for the Champions League, but with a greater platform comes greater expectations.

A sold-out crowd is expected to watch on today in east London and it’s tough to call just which side is likelier to end up on top. Will it be the Hammers with a new manager at the helm, or the buoyant Villans under Emery’s expert stewardship? It won’t be long until we find out, with kick-off fast approaching.

West Ham vs Aston Villa lineups

Here’s how both teams shape up today at London Stadium.

West Ham starting XI: Areola (GK); Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Paqueta, Soucek; Bowen, Kudus, Antonio.

West Ham subs: Fabianski (GK), Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Cresswell, Ward-Prowse, Irving, Summerville, Fullkrug, Ings.

Villa starting XI: Martinez (GK); Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne; Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Bailey; Rogers, Watkins.

Villa subs: Gauci (GK), D. Carlos, Maatsen, Nedeljkovic, Barkley, Buendia, Philogene, Ramsey, Duran.