A trip to Aston Villa which could, by objective measure at least, spell the end of West Ham’s hopes for serious success this season does not exactly represent the gentlest of starts to Graham Potter’s reign.

Potter’s woes at Chelsea were not entirely of his own making, but his stock has fallen since success at Brighton and his gamble on the West Ham job is a make-or-break moment for his coaching career

The former Brighton and Chelsea boss was named as Julen Lopetegui's successor this morning, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club