Aston Villa 4 West Ham 1
Two sides met at Villa Park who have made great starts to the season as Aston Villa welcomed West Ham. Both Unai Emery and David Moyes are hoping to do something special in the league this season but Villa are on their best home run in 40 years.
With barely a minute on the clock, the visitors created the first chance of the game, when Paqueta cut it back from the byline to Bowen, whose right footed shot was brilliantly saved by Martinez. The assistant referee then raised his flag to save his blushes.
Douglas Luiz then tried his luck from 30 yards out but Areola made a one-handed save to tip it around the post. Konsa had a chance from the resulting corner but it seemed more like the ball hit him than the other way around.
Diaby did brilliantly to find Watkins in the box who swivelled and shot but somehow dragged his effort wide of the post. Everyone in Villa Park was expecting to see the net bulge as soon as the England striker turned to shoot.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Watkins then turned provider as he laid it off to Luiz whose shot from the edge of the box was fumbled over the line by the West Ham keeper. Not an error by Areola but you would have expected to see stronger hands from him.
Villa started the second half on the front foot and the impressive Douglas Luiz was pulling all the strings but as Diaby crossed into the box, Watkins’ shot was blocked. Moments later, Aguerd bundled Konsa over and the referee pointed to the spot.
Despite all the protests from the West Ham players, VAR checked the decision and the penalty stood. Douglas Luiz stepped up to take it and slotted the ball home to double his side’s lead in front of their own fans.
Jarrod Bowen then received the ball from Coufal, he checked onto his left foot and looked to let fly. His shot took a huge deflection and beat Martinez as it fizzed into the bottom corner. This put some wind in the sails of the visitors and it was game on.
Villa then dealt the ultimate sucker punch as they broke with McGinn playing a ball over the top into the path of Watkins, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Villa Park erupted as they suddenly had restored their two-goal lead.
Substitutes combined as Tielemans then slotted the ball into Bailey who cut onto his left foot and bent the ball into the top corner. It seemed harsh on West Ham, such a heavy scoreline, but Aston Villa turned the screw in the latter stages of the game.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Aston Villa continued their 100% start to the season at home, while West Ham go back to the drawing board. David Moyes knew this would be a tough game but will be disappointed with the lack of chances his side created. Meanwhile, Villa fans are lapping up the regime of the ‘Sultan of Unai’.
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