West Ham manager David Moyes will be jubilant at the news that striker Michail Antonio will be available ahead of the match against Aston Villa.
Since West Ham’s draw against Manchester City, they have been without their star man Michail Antonio due to a hamstring injury. Sebastien Haller has played in the Englishman’s absence. Despite scoring the winner against Sheffield United, the Ivorian has not been able to replicate the same impact as Antonio.
The 30-year-old returned to full training this week after eight weeks. The Hammers have seen their threat in front of goal drop considerably. David Moyes’ side have only scored three goals since Antonio’s absence, in the four games before his injury the team had scored an astonishing eleven goals.
Moyes will now have the task of fitting Antonio back into a team that has won its last two games. After beating Fulham and Sheffield United by one-goal margins the Hammers are sitting pretty in the top half of the table. Even though Haller hasn’t fully been able to replace Antonio’s impact he has done a good job.
Haller’s issue is that the system built around Antonio does not necessarily suit him. The Ivorian has. had to adapt to a different style due to the squad’s lack of depth to have differing tactics. Haller did prove to be the hero against the Blades as he scored a stunning strike to give West Ham all three points.
Moyes might have a headache from the decision but it will be one of the better headaches of. his Hammers career. Due to the small squad, Moyes has not even had a bench striker. to call upon if had wanted to replace Haller in the previous matches.
The Scottish manager could still be without forward, Andriy Yarmolenko. The Ukrainian missed last weeks match due to a positive COVID-19 test while away on international duty.