Villans Cruelly Snatch Victory From Hammers

Stratford was a place where Aston Villa feared to tread but last season, they picked up their first ever win at West Ham’s current home. They then followed up that success on Sunday afternoon by coming from behind twice to win 3-2.

In his pre-match news conference ahead of this game on Friday, Hammers’ Head-Coach Nuno Espírito Santo was once again not giving too much away when it came to his team selection. However, he did make changes with Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa being restored to the starting line-up, while Max Kilman and Guido Rodríguez dropped to the bench. Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Igor Julio was back amongst the substitutes, while youngsters Oliver Scarles and Mohamadou Kanté were included in the matchday squad.

Tributes were paid to Billy Bonds prior to kick-off but perhaps the most fitting one came after just twenty nine seconds on the pitch as Mateus Fernandes forced Ezri Konsa into a mistake and the midfielder then took a touch before delighting the home crowd and beating visiting goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

The visitors beat Arsenal in their last Premier League outing and were aiming to try and build on that success, so those in the away end were delighted when they equalised just eight minutes later.

They picked up possession and John McGinn crossed into the box. Konstantinos Mavropanos tried to clear the danger but at the same time, Oliver Watkins wanted to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. It was however the Greek defender, who unfortunately got the final touch.

Given that Unai Emery’s side had been involved in UEFA Europa League action just three days earlier and had to travel to Switzerland, you could be forgiven for thinking that there would be signs of fatigue amongst the opposing players. This was certainly not the case, both teams kept going in order to get back in front and it was a home side who did so on twenty four minutes when captain Jarrod Bowen got his second goal in the space of a week, as he collected possession after Konsa’s clearance was intercepted by Potts and the youngsters’ volley was helped past Bizot.

West Ham had a great chance to increase their advantage going into the break but Crysencio Summerville unfortunately sent his shot wide. The Dutchman would have hoped that he had done better with the attempt as the Villans might have levelled for a second time but fortunately, Morgan Rogers also missed the target.

The Irons were ahead at half-time when Newcastle United visited back on 2 November and they went on to claim a 3-1 victory. Could they do the same here?

Well, if they were going to, they would have to wrestle the lead back again, as the travelling support cheered as their team were back on level terms after just five minutes of the second-half. Lucas Paquetá inexplicably lost possession and McGinn started an attack which also involved Youri Tielemans and Rogers resulted in the former Middlesbrough man shooting past home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

The hosts then probed for a third goal as Fernandes, Magassa and El Hadji Malick Diouf all tried their luck but couldn’t find the telling touch.

Just after the hour mark, Emery turned to his bench and introduced Donyell Malen for Amadou Onana and the Dutchman almost scored with his first touch but fortunately for the majority inside the stadium, Areola was alert and kept him out.

The East Londoners then stepped up the pressure, but Summerville had an effort blocked, before more disappointment went their way when Bowen thought that he had helped himself to his second of the afternoon but, it was unfortunately ruled out by referee Anthony Taylor for offside. It was then checked by the VAR officials, who backed up the original decision.

Bowen may have been denied a brace but with eleven minutes of normal time to play, Rogers had one of his own. He ran into space, evaded the attentions of Jean-Clair Todibo and gave Areola no chance, as he thumped the ball into the net.

It was strange that Espírito Santo didn’t introduce any changes until the final ten minutes. The first to enter the fray was Callum Wilson as he came on for Magassa.

Emery had earlier thrown on Lucas Digne to take the place of Ian Maatsen and just like his earlier change, he was the protagonist behind one of two late chances for the visitors, as the Frenchman forced his compatriot into another brilliant save.

it seemed that Villa weren’t finished there however, as Rogers tried to claim his hat-trick but fortunately for the East Londoners, whose afternoon had started so well, he could only send his latest effort wide.

Espírito Santo made a triple change with eighty eight minutes gone as Potts, Summerville and Paquetá all made way for Tomáš Souček, Kanté and Rodríguez.

The Portuguese has recently been picking up draws on the road, but he would do well if he manages to help his team claim anything on Saturday, as they go to The Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.