West Ham stored their Champions League hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, earned via targets within the second half by Andriy Yarmolenko and Pablo Fornals.
Villa made the primary opening of the competitors inside 4 minutes when Philippe Coutinho robbed Aaron Cresswell of possession. The Brazilian poked via to Matty Cash, however the full-back’s publish got here on Danny Ings too quick in entrance of aim.
Hammers responded with a likelihood of their very own. Michail Antonio blew previous Calum Chambers earlier than pulling again the ball for Pablo Fornals, however his low shot in the direction of the far nook trickled outdoors.
The away group threatened the West Ham aim once more within the twentieth minute. Jacob Ramsey burst via three Hammers defenders on the sting of the penalty space and got here to Coutinho, although Lukasz Fabianski was in place to stifle the hazard.
Cresswell then created one other harmful opening for the dwelling group. His whipped cream was met by Tomas Soucek on the entrance publish, however the Czechs glanced at his nod subsequent to it.
Coutinho drew gasps from visiting Aston Villa supporters simply after the restart as he drove ahead. West Ham did not shut him down and his effort was drilled simply outdoors the publish.
In a match full of damage stops, David Moyes needed to curse his luck when Michail Antonio was pressured off with a knee drawback simply earlier than the hour mark, earlier than the damaging Cresswell had to get replaced after holding his hip.
Fabianski was referred to as to motion once more when Danny Ings reacted solely after his staring nod from a nook flipper across the penalty space. The former Southampton man put his effort towards aim, however Poland went right down to counter the hazard.
The afternoon’s finest likelihood thus far, nonetheless, fell on Craig Dawson minutes later. Kurt Zouma met Fornal’s nook and when Emiliano Martinez parried the save immediately to Hammer’s defender, he managed to nod over it from shut vary.
West Ham’s endeavor paid off, and it couldn’t have come from a greater supply. Benrahma’s cross lower straight via Villa earlier than Andriy Yarmolenko – who changed the injured Antonio – checked it and shot the ball beneath Martinez with the skin of his boot.
Hammers then killed the match with eight minutes left. Declan Rice fed the spectacular Benrahma and when the Algerian pulled the ball over aim, the Fornals rushed in to hit the ball previous Martinez.
It was time for a brief rally from the visitors when Emiliano Buendia arrange Jacob Ramsey who completed in stoppage time, however it was too little, too late for Steven Gerrard’s group.
This is how each groups gave grades.
Zouma rises at the highest of a nook / Julian Finney / GettyImages
Lukasz Fabianski (GK) – 8/10 – Really sensible save to disclaim Coutinho in the primary half, and got here up massive when Hammers demanded him essentially the most.
Ben Johnson (RB) – 6/10 – A robust presence at the underside proper, however he was typically left remoted with only a few gamers to mix with.
Craig Dawson (CB) – 5/10 – A few enjoyable moments within the early levels, however he restored his steadiness because the sport continued. Saved an incredible alternative within the second interval.
Kurt Zouma (CB) – 5/10 – Really sturdy efficiency, lined glorious for Cresswell on the left hand as he bombed ahead.
Aaron Cresswell (LB) – 8/10 – Just a few furry moments defensively throughout the preliminary adjustments, however he was a constant attacking menace for the dwelling group. Forced by injured simply earlier than the hour line.
Rice receives the ball / Julian Finney / GettyImages
Declan Rice (CM) – 6/10 – The ever-present for West Ham this season, however he can’t do all the pieces on his personal.
Tomas Soucek (CM) – 5/10 – Effective to interrupt into the penalty space from the depths, watching a Cresswell nod simply outdoors the primary half.
Manuel Lanzini (AM) – 3/10 – Some vibrant moments, however he was unusually quiet when he picked up the ball.
Fornals Celebrate Their Second Half / Julian Finney / GettyImages
Pablo Fornals (RW) – 6/10 – Good at discovering area and punishing Villa with eight minutes left to double West Ham’s lead.
Michail Antonio (ST) – 3/10 – Struggled to become involved within the process and was pressured off with a knee damage simply earlier than the hour.
Said Benrahma (LW) – 9/10 – A full of life presence that’s always trying to obtain and transfer West Ham to harmful areas. Sealed each targets for Hammers.
WHAT A MOMENT. ??
No one deserves it greater than Andriy Yarmolenko. # WHUAVL pic.twitter.com/ydbHyxBtaR
– West Ham United (@WestHam) March 13, 2022
Andriy Yarmolenko (ST) – 8/10 – An exquisite second for the Ukrainian who completed skillfully beneath Martinez after Benrahma’s lower.
Ryan Fredericks (RB) – 5/10 – Replaced the injured Cresswell, which restricted West Ham’s attacking menace on the perimeters.
Issa Diop (CB) – N / A
Martinez in Action / Marc Atkins / GettyImages
Emiliano Martinez (GK) – 6/10 – Stood excessive when required, however couldn’t do a lot to forestall each West Ham targets.
Matty Cash (RB) – 6/10 – A menace for Cresswell to battle on the perimeters, who always place themselves excessive to pressure West Ham again.
Calum Chambers (CB) – 6/10 – Has confirmed a crafty addition from Arsenal in January. He threatened Antonio lengthy earlier than the striker was injured.
Tyrone Mings (CB) – 7/10 – Hammers are frequently harmful from strong instances, however the English nationwide group participant was normally readily available to counter that hazard.
Lucas Digne (LB) – N / A – Forced off inside ten minutes resulting from damage.
Ramsey continues to impress Aston Villa / Julian Finney / GettyImages
Douglas Luiz (CM) – 6/10 – This Villasidan’s pin who always recovers the ball and lets his facet set up lengthy taking part in durations.
John McGinn (CM) – 6/10 – Held his personal within the midfield battle towards an athletic Hammers midfield, although he lacked a aim with the ball.
Jacob Ramsey (CM) – 8/10 – Showed nice energy to hold out three West Ham defenders to beat Coutinho in the primary half, which underlined his spectacular expertise. Reduced the deficit in downtime.
Philippe Coutinho (AM) – 7/10 – Has lit up the Premier League since returning in January and together with Ramsey he seemed like Villa’s most harmful participant.
Watkins competes for the ball / Julian Finney / GettyImages
Ollie Watkins (ST) – 5/10 – Had few sightings of targets and sometimes drove for Ings.
Danny Ings (ST) – 6/10 – Denied by a intelligent cease from Fabianski after the ball flips across the penalty space from a nook.
Steven Gerrard is pressured to make an early substitution, with Ashley Young changing Lucas Digne.
Quick restoration, @LucasDigne. ?
? 0-0? [10′] #WHUAVL
– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 13, 2022
Ashley Young (LB) – 5/10 – Replaced injured Digne and supplied good power, though Villa concentrated their assaults down on the alternative flank.
Leon Bailey (RW) – N / A
Emi Buendia (AM) – N / A
