Team News: Nicolo Zaniolo starts for Aston Villa against West Ham United

Unai Emery has handed a start to Nicolo Zaniolo for Aston Villa's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.

The winger is currently under investigation into alleged illegal betting activity, which is being led by the Italian Football Federation.

However, like in the case of Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, Zaniolo remains available for selection at the present time, and the summer arrival has been handed an opportunity in the final third.

Zaniolo starting on the flank is the only change to the first XI from the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break.

Diego Carlos has subsequently dropped down to the substitutes' bench, and it is unclear whether Emery will use a midfield trio involving John McGinn or the Scot being used on the right flank and Moussa Diaby in a central position.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, David Moyes has kept with the West Ham side that started the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

Mohammed Kudus would have hoped for a starting role on the back of his goal as a substitute against the Magpies, but he again misses out on a first Premier League start.

West Ham head into the fixture in the West Midlands trailing their sixth-placed hosts by two points in the standings.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Luiz; Zaniolo, Watkins, Diaby

Subs: Olsen, Diego Carlos, Tielemans, Traore, Chambers, Lenglet, Bailey, Dendoncker, Kellyman

West Ham United: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Palmieri; Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Antonio, Paqueta

Subs: Fabianski, Fornals, Kudus, Mavropanos, Ings, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer, Mubama