Worse than Benrahma: Moyes must axe £69k-p/w Irons dud v Villa, he's stealing a living - opinion

West Ham United host in-form Aston Villa in the Premier League this afternoon, with the Hammers looking to consolidate their place in the top six.

David Moyes’ side are sixth in the league and three points behind Arsenal, although the Gunners have a whopping three games in hand. Moreover, both Tottenham and Wolves are breathing down the Irons’ necks, so victory over Steven Gerrard’s side will be crucial in the hunt for a European place.

With ten league games to go this season, plus potential progression in the Europa League with the Hammers 1-0 down against Sevilla going into the second leg at the London Stadium next Thursday, the final two months of the campaign will be massive in deciding what awaits West Ham in 2022/23.

Therefore, it is crucial that Moyes gets his team selection spot-on today. To that effect, Nikola Vlasic should not start against Villa.

Since joining from CSKA Moscow last summer, the Croatian has struggled to live up to his £69k-per-week wage in east London, with the 24-year-old finding the back of the net just once in 32 appearances across all competitions.

A lack of squad depth and a plethora of injuries has meant that Moyes has had little option but to involve Vlasic, who started Thursday evening’s 1-0 defeat to Sevilla.

Usually a left winger, the Croatian would come up against Villa right-back Matty Cash should he feature today, with the English full-back in the form of his life after two goals and two assists in his last three league outings whilst also keeping three clean sheets. Therefore, it would likely be another tricky afternoon for the 24-year-old if he starts this afternoon.

However, Moyes does have alternative options as to who is deployed out wide, with Said Benrahma coming off the