Aston Villa player ratings vs West Ham: Three ‘emphatic’ 8/10s but one 'struggling' 5/10

Jhon Duran, who else? The controversial Colombian wonderkid, who so very nearly moved to West Ham earlier in the transfer window, was the man to net the clinical winner off the bench against the team he looked so destined to join.

Villa, propelled by a third-minute opener from Amadou Onana, were the far better team for much of the game and deserved the three points. West Ham had their fair share of chances on the break - and had the odd prolonged period of possession - but Julen Lopetegui’s side were so open at the back.

Onana’s early goal was an emphatic header, converting from an inch-perfect Youri Tielemans corner. The £50 million summer signing shrugged off Michail Antonio and eased through a gap to nod in powerfully at the near post. It was simply too easy for Onana, who sprinted over to high-five set-piece coach Austin MacPhee following his celebration.

The chances kept flowing for around 25 minutes afterward. Morgan Rogers tested Alphonse Areola as he steamed on through beyond two or three West Ham players before firing hard and low at the goalkeeper, who did well to direct the ball away.

Leon Bailey then couldn’t believe his misfortune as he struck the woodwork after rounding Areola. The Jamaican sprinted onto a Matty Cash through ball and did brilliantly to beat the goalkeeper, but his shot from a tight angle - as he bared down on the net only guarded by Max Kilman - rebounded off the outside of the right post.

John McGinn was another to go agonisingly close to making it two, just after the half-hour mark. The skipper saw a first shot blocked by Vladimir Coufal before attempting to effectively pass his follow-up into the far corner, but the ball rolled whiskers past the post.

Villa were then stunned as West Ham were awarded a penalty and levelled the scoring in the 37th minute, Lucas Paqueta converting cooly. It appeared a harsh call from referee Tony Harrington as Tomas Soucek went down from the slightest contact from Matty Cash, but VAR saw no clear and obvious error upon review.

The affair became far more even for a while after the Hammers’ equaliser. West Ham left-back Emerson forced Emiliano Martinez into a fine diving stop at the near post before the interval and Rogers suffered a similar fate early in the second half, seeing a near-post-bound effort blocked by Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Emery’s substitutions mid-way through the second period proved pivotal as three combined to make a decisive impact. Duran sent the travelling support wild in the 79th minute, converting clinically from a low Jacob Ramsey cross to make it 2-1. It was an excellent team goal, worked with first-time passes from Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen and Ramsey before Duran fired hard and low through the legs of Areola.

West Ham had a brilliant chance to equalise for a second time in the 87th minute as Crysencio Summerville’s deflected cross was headed toward goal by Danny Ings, but Martinez was calm to save and ease the pressure. The tension grew when seven minutes were added on but Villa dug in to hold on for an important victory.

Aston Villa player ratings vs West Ham

Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the Villa players out of 10 at London Stadium, with individual analysis.

Emiliano Martinez - 7

Beaten from the spot by Paqueta as he dived the wrong way. Made a terrific stop to deny Emerson, though, diving low at the near post. Also positioned himself well to deny Ings a late equaliser. As confident as ever with his distribution.

Matty Cash - 6 (off 82’)

Gave away the penalty for 1-1, nudging over Soucek. A harsh one, perhaps, but still clumsy. Conceded a few more sloppy fouls, too, but otherwise impressed with his attacking work. Fed one particularly pin-point pass down the line to Bailey who then struck the post. Mixed success defending up against Kudus.

Ezri Konsa - 7

Strong in the challenge and wasn’t fazed by the press from Kudus and Antonio. Showed good awareness to make a couple of important clearances – and then a crucial block from Soucek deep in stoppage time.

Pau Torres - 7

Made the odd necessary defensive intervention and had one excellent run to progress Villa around 30 or 40 yards up the field.

Lucas Digne - 7 (off 74’)

Contributed a vital first-half clearance as he headed away from Soucek and Bowen at the final moment. Added another crucial intervention in the second period as he blocked Soucek’s close-range shot. Provided some great width down the left.

Amadou Onana - 8

Opened the scoring with a clinical header after breaking away from his marker, Michail Antonio. Made things look effortless in possession, hardly putting a foot wrong.

Youri Tielemans - 7

Swung in the excellent corner for Onana’s early goal and linked up the play well in the lead-up to several chances. Looked so composed to get out of tight spaces under the West Ham press.

John McGinn - 6 (off 62’)

Worked hard to create space between the lines, just ahead of Onana and Tielemans in a boxed midfield. Went very close to scoring, passing just wide of the far post.

Leon Bailey - 6 (off 74’)

Missed an excellent chance to make it 2-0, hitting the post from a tight angle. Did brilliantly to round Areola in the lead-up but simply had to score. Received an unnecessary yellow card for tugging down Mohamed Kudus.

Morgan Rogers - 7

Dribbled past two or three before seeing a decent shot on target saved early on. Continued his fine work, displaying great urgency to get forward with some impressive dribbling.

Ollie Watkins - 5 (off 62’)

Didn’t quite look up to speed. Appeared to have very little sharpness, but that’s to be expected given his non-existent pre-season.

Subs:

Jacob Ramsey - 8 (on 62’)

Added some much needed attacking impetus, making positive forward runs and passes at every opportunity. Assisted Duran’s goal with the perfect cutback.

Jhon Duran - 8 (on 62’)

Scored the vital winner, striking instinctively past Areola to make it 2-1. Had another chance earlier on as thrashed a shot into the side netting just minutes after coming on.

Ian Maatsen - 7 (on 74’)

Involved in the winning goal with a great cushioned pass into Ramsey’s path.

Jaden Philogene - 6 (on 74’)

Got involved with some ambitious runs but failed to go to the corner flag a couple of times when he should’ve, to see out the game.