Credit: Imago

Samuel Fabre

Thu 19 March 2026 17:10, UK

Jean-Clair Todibo could be left out of the starting lineup by Nuno Espirito Santo when West Ham United face a trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Hammers drew 1-1 with Man City at the London Stadium last Saturday, and their next test certainly won’t be straightforward either.

Nuno now faces up against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, who currently sit fourth in the table and have hopes of playing Champions League football next season.

West Ham’s match with Aston Villa is set to have a significant impact at both ends of the table, and Nuno may look to change his system, meaning Todibo would come out of the side for Adama Traore.

Adama Traore replaces Jean-Clair Todibo in change of formation

Todibo has impressed this campaign, and he has improved massively after his lacklustre performances during the 2024-25 season.

The French centre-back has come a long way in a West Ham shirt, with supporters finally able to see what he brings to the team under Nuno’s stewardship.

According to Sofascore, he has won 61.5 percent of his ground duels in the top flight this season, which demonstrates his improvement from last year’s total of 56.2 percent.

Nuno used three central defenders against Man City, and while it worked, Villa will likely struggle to deal with a back four much more.

With four attackers on the pitch, the Hammers can cause Emery’s side, who haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last four league matches, some serious problems.

Therefore, Todibo should make way for Traore.

The rest of the team should remain unchanged, which is only right after how well they played last weekend.

Jarrod Bowen could match three-year feat in West Ham vs Aston Villa

Jarrod Bowen has been in brilliant form for West Ham, and after a slow start to the campaign, he is finally performing at the right time.

He has been involved in seven goals in his last eight Premier League games, providing an assist in each of his last three.

The only West Ham player to assist a goal in four consecutive appearances is Vladimir Coufal in October 2023.

Bowen has scored four goals and provided one assist in 10 matches against Villa, and the England international will feel confident of having an impact on Sunday’s clash.

If he does register an assist, not only would he match Coufal’s record, but his brilliance could be crucial to securing three points at Villa Park.