West Ham entertain Aston Villa at the London stadium on Monday 30 Nov 20:00
We might argue that this tasty fixture should have been swapped with Saturday evenings West Brom V Sheff U game for sensible reasons like finding an audience that gives a shit.
But it is what it is and if it's a joke, it's as funny as "Mrs Bowns Boys"
Cheap jokes aside, this fixture should be another "test" for this West Ham team that are trundling along quite nicely.
And the reason this game might be another "test" is because Aston Villa have won every away fixture this season (five) - two in the EFL cup.
However West Ham have the second best defensive record and two players in superb form. Both Angelo Ogbonna and Declan Rice were 9/10s against Fulham and Arthur Masuaku is delivery quality performances.
As things stand, it's difficult to argue swapping Antonio for Haller or/and Bowen for Benhrama at half time...unless, Haller/Bowen has scored or made assists.
Would it be that awful if we won 1-0 ? No, but it would be a hell of a lot more inspiring if we really "played" in this game and scored 4...
That might not happen but let's at least try and look like we are trying to do so