Aston Villa fought back twice before sealing a superb 3-2 win over West Ham United on Sunday to make it nine consecutive wins across all competitions.
Villa fell behind after just 29 seconds at the London Stadium, with Mateus Fernandes putting the hosts ahead. While Villa responded well and found an equaliser not long after, we found ourselves behind again going into the half-time break after Jarrod Bowen restored West Ham’s advantage.
However, things improved in the second half and Morgan Rogers emerged as our match-winning hero with a brilliant double, the first of which came just five minutes after the restart, while he found the back of the net with a rocket of a strike from distance in the 79th minute to seal all three points.
Want more Villa news? Subscribe to Talk Villa+ below for ad-free weekly newsletters, exclusive articles and much more sent directly to you. The TalkVilla podcast is also now available, have a listen, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or YouTube. UTV!
That’s now nine consecutive wins across all competitions for Villa as we continue to find ways to win, and Unai Emery will no doubt be delighted with his players who regrouped and put in another big shift just days after our win in Europe in midweek, and with Emiliano Martinez and Pau Torres missing once again due to injury.
Aston Villa player ratings vs West Ham:
Marco Bizot, 6 – Left exposed for both goals due to poor defending, and while he might feel slightly disappointed with himself being beaten from a tight angle for the first, it was hit with some power from short distance. Commanded his box well after that and stepped up when needed.
Matty Cash, 6.5 – Had his hands full going up against Summerville and picked up a booking in the first half. However, he stuck to his task and put in another important shift for the team in both phases.
Ezri Konsa, 5.5 – Far from his best as he made uncharacteristic mistakes early on which led to us conceding both goals. Too casual for the first as he was dispossessed in our own box and played Bowen onside for the second after getting his clearance wrong. Will undoubtedly bounce back from this and put in a stellar performance next week, but he’ll be disappointed with this one.
Victor Lindelof, 7 – He had big shoes to fill with Pau sidelined, but did an excellent job. Defended diligently when needed despite our porous backline early on in the game, but he played in a crucial pass to find Rogers in space who went on to score our winner in style.
Ian Maatsen, 6.5 – Continues to improve defensively as he stood up in duels well, while with Pau out, he was an important outlet down the left to get us moving up the pitch with tempo. Another positive outing from the Dutchman.
Amadou Onana, 7 – Sloppy at times in possession, but he was an important physical presence in the midfield battle to help us settle and get control as the game went on.
Boubacar Kamara, 6.5 – Not at his most influential in this one either, but he was solid enough to help us stay in the game, gain some control and momentum and eventually turn things around in our favour.
John McGinn, 7 – As to be expected from the Villa skipper, he battled well throughout and dropped deeper to find space to help us link things together. His cross forced the own goal that brought us level first time round, and so it was an important display from our leader.
Youri Tielemans, 8 – Excellent cross into the box that found Rogers for his first, and while he was shifted around the pitch in different positions as the game went on, he showed his class and quality at key moments to help us get the win.
Morgan Rogers, 9 – Brilliant first goal as he showed great composure and quality to settle himself and finish emphatically, and what a stunning strike to make it a brace. Found space between the lines really well, was positive with his intent to turn and attack, and that was some strike from distance to help us seal the win.
Ollie Watkins, 6 – Good movement for our first equaliser as it helped force the error and own goal, but he struggled again in this one for the most part. Wasted some openings where he should have done better and couldn’t really threaten to go with his work ethic and defensive work.
Substitutes:
Donyell Malen, 7 – Love how he plays with such positive intent immediately when coming on. Looked dangerous at times and almost helped make it a more comfortable ending to the game.
Emiliano Buendia, 6 – Helped settle us and tick things along in the latter stages to get over the line and come away with the victory.
Lucas Digne, 6 – Added fresh legs and defensive steeliness down the left to help see out the win.