John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery's side defeat West Ham in the Premier League
Ollie Watkins scored Aston Villa's second against West Ham
Ollie Watkins scored Aston Villa's second against West Ham(Image: PA)
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Aston Villa will spend the March international break with a six-point buffer inside the top five after beating West Ham 2-0 at Villa Park.
John McGinn opened the scoring in the first half, finishing off a training ground routine set-piece, before Ollie Watkins scored his first league goal in nearly two months to double the lead after the hour mark.
Villa have now completed the league double over the Hammers for the first time since 2010–11, returning to winning ways in the league following three consecutive league defeats.
Villa started on the front foot and came close to scoring in the sixth minute when Matty Cash played Jadon Sancho down the right. Sancho rolled the ball across the box for Watkins, only for Konstantinos Mavropanos to cut it out. Moments later, Lucas Digne forced Mads Hermansen into a save, with the goalkeeper tipping the full-back's fierce effort past the post.
Villa had a series of corners, with deliveries from Digne and Cash causing problems for West Ham’s defence. However, McGinn’s goal came from a free-kick: Cash played the ball to Sancho, who laid it off to the captain, allowing him to bend the ball into the far corner.
Sancho was enjoying himself in the first half, and in the 20th minute, he produced a perfect cross for Amadou Onana, but the midfielder headed wide when he ought to have done better.
In the 24th minute, Watkins had a golden chance to double Villa’s lead after being picked out inside the box by Jacob Ramsey, but Hermansen was equal to the finish. Shortly after, Watkins appeared to be fouled by Mavropanos in the box, but referee Paul Tierney, after checking the monitor, overturned the decision.
Greek centre-back Mavropanos was busy throughout the first half, also turning Rogers’ goal-bound effort off the line after the forward had picked up the pieces inside the box.
Villa started the second half in similar fashion. In the 50th minute, Ross Barkley drove towards goal, forcing Hermansen to tip his effort over the bar. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Matty Cash outside the box, though his strike was less accurate than Barkley’s.
West Ham carved out their best opening five minutes later, as Mateus Fernandes clipped the ball to the back post for Pablo, but Digne covered well and cleared for a corner.
Villa sealed the game in the 68th minute when Hermansen could only parry a Rogers effort, allowing Watkins to chase the rebound and convert from a tight angle.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez didn't have a single shot to deal with in the first half but collected crosses well when they dropped into the box. Successive clean sheets. 8
Matty Cash
Cash returned to the starting XI this afternoon after missing both games against Lille and Manchester United. He helped create the first chance of the game by playing a perfect pass to Sancho down the wing, who then tried to find Watkins in the box. Excellent delivery from corners, piling pressure on the away team. 7
Ezri Konsa
Konsa has still started all but one league match this season, replacing Victor Lindelof in defence. His level of performance was better than in previous weeks. 7
Pau Torres
Torres retained his starting place ahead of Tyrone Mings. It was one of the Spaniard's better performances of the campaign. Used the ball well and enjoyed the physical battle West Ham posed. 7
Lucas Digne
Digne crashed the ball towards goal in the eighth minute, but Hermansen tipped it wide. The left-back made a crucial intervention at the back post when Fernandes tried to pick out Pablo. 7
Amadou Onana
Onana had the chance to double Villa's lead in the 20th minute but headed wide after being picked out by Sancho. He got stuck in this afternoon, sliding into tackles and blocking passing lanes for West Ham. Showed what he's all about. 8
Ross Barkley
Barkley was Villa's best player at Old Trafford last weekend and came back into the team today after being unavailable against Lille in midweek. He stuck to his task well, playing an hour before coming off. 7
Jadon Sancho
Sancho rolled the ball across the box for Watkins in the first few minutes, but Mavrapanos defended excellently. He grabbed an assist for McGinn's goal and nearly set up Onana five minutes later. Another impressive display from the Man United loanee. 7
Morgan Rogers
Rogers was lively today and enjoyed himself on the ball. In the 31st minute, he was denied a goal by Mavrapanos, who headed his effort from close range off the line. His shot, which Hermansen parried wide, allowed Watkins to score on the rebound. 7
John McGinn
McGinn handed Villa the perfect start, curling a lovely effort past Hermansen to open the scoring in the 15th minute. That was his second goal in just four days. 8
Ollie Watkins
Watkins put in a brilliant performance this afternoon, responding to being left out of the England squad. He would have converted Sancho's early cross if Mavrapanos hadn't reached it first. Showed confidence, bending the ball just past the post in the 23rd minute after cutting in from the left wing, before being denied by Hermansen from close range shortly after. His next effort went wide after taking a deflection off Mavrapanos. He finally got the goal he deserved in the 68th minute, finishing well on the rebound. 8
SUBS
Youri Tielemans (for McGinn, 67'): He's class, isn't he? Huge for Villa to have Tielemans back. 6
Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 67'): Bailey was confident after scoring four days ago in the win over Lille. 6
Douglas Luiz (for Barkley, 67'): Added energy in the double pivot after coming on. 6
Emi Buendia (for Rogers, 77'): N/A
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 87'): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Bogarde, Maatsen, Mings.
GOALS
Aston Villa: McGinn (15'), Watkins (68')
West Ham: N/A
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