Jhon Duran has reportedly been a West Ham target all summer, but the young forward was on target against the Irons in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win in London on Saturday.
The Villans led through Amadou Onana’s early goal but found themselves level at the break when Lucas Paqueta converted a Tomas Soucek-won penalty.
Both teams chased a winner, but it was Duran who helped build-up what would become his match-winning goal. That showed West Ham what it’s been missing, though the Hammers know as they’ve been after Duran all summer.
It was an intriguing 90 minutes between two teams with new faces and big goals: Villa to do well in and return to the Champions League, and West Ham to find their way back to Europe.
Lopetegui and Emery bring entertainment via clash of wits
Pau Torres, Max Kilman, Alphonse Areola, and Emiliano Martinez all have impressive defensive chops, prowess that was put to the test repeatedly at the London Stadium on Saturday. West Ham produced 2.80 xG and Aston Villa 2.67 in a back-and-forth affair that could’ve finished with any multi-goal score (and probably should’ve been 2-2 at the very last minute). Both of these teams’ benches are deep and their managers well-established as top minds. This is definitely not David Moyes’ West Ham and Emery is Emery. Should investment and faith continue, these two men could be match claret wits for some time. Get used to “West Ham” as a name you seek on the fixture list.
West Ham vs Aston Villa player ratings
West Ham vs Aston Villa player ratings (from fotmob.com)
West Ham vs Aston Villa player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
West Ham go to Crystal Palace at 10am ET Saturday, while Villa host Arsenal at 12:30pm Sunday.
How to watch West Ham vs Aston Villa, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET, Saturday (August 17)
Venue: London Stadium
TV channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch via NBC.com
West Ham vs Aston Villa live updates — By Nick Mendola
West Ham vs Aston Villa final score: 1-2
Amadou Onana, 5'; Lucas Paqueta (pen) 37'; Jhon Duran 79'
In response to our previous question: Yes
It’s a Villa sub — and a West Ham transfer target — who puts the visitors back on top.
Jhon Duran is a big part of the build-up and of course the finish, drilling a shot between the legs of Alphonse Areola.
West Ham’s subs nearly deliver a second equalizer, as Summerville’s cross is nearly put home by Fullkrug only to be foiled by Emiliano Martinez.
Subs to make a difference?
James Ward-Prowse, Niclas Fullkrug, and Crysencio Summerville are on for Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham, and exiting are Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, and goal scorer Lucas Paqueta.
Jacob Ramsey and West Ham target Jhon Duran were Villa’s early subs, while Ian Maatsen and Jaden Philogene-Bidace appear soon after West Ham’s triple swap.
Halftime — West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa has definitely been the better side, despite West Ham holding onto more than half of the ball (The David Moyes era is very much over, for better or worse, on that stat alone!).
Villa leads in shot attempts (8-5) and xG (1.11-1.00) but are level after 45 minutes thanks to the West Ham penalty.
To be decided in the second!
West Ham equalize out of nothing
Matty Cash has taken down Tomas Soucek in the box, and West Ham are going to the spot.
Lucas Paqueta’s penalty is nearly perfect, and it’s 1-1 in London.
Villa have their tails up
West Ham are new to the Julen Lopetegui experience, in direct contrast to the the visitors’ comfort with what their boss wants from them.
Leon Bailey is electric as he cuts inside after beating Areola, but it’s only the post that meets the Jamaica’s bid to make it 2-0.
Aston Villa still a vibes team — Onana on debut!
What a start.
Youri Tielemans sweeps a corner into the mix and Amadou Onana, on debut after his summer move from Everton, thuds home via header.
It’s five minutes into the game and Villa lead at West Ham!
West Ham vs Aston Villa team news
What is my brain supposed to do with a West Ham lineup that looks this solid?
There are questions as to how long Michail Antonio can keep up his battering ram style, but Niclas Fullkrug is on the bench. So is Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka amongst others. Julen Lopetegui shouldn’t need excuses.
Villa looks so good, too, though. Their bench includes Jhon Duran, Ross Barkley, Diego Carlos, and returning Emi Buendia. Should be a beauty!
West Ham lineup
Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Rodriguez, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, McGinn, Onana, Rogers, Bailey, Watkins
West Ham team news, focus
The Hammers have strengthened superbly this summer and even with Edson Alvarez missing through injury they have a very strong squad. It will be intriguing to see how they line up in attack but it seems like Kudus and Bowen will be on the wings with Paqueta in No. 10 role and Fullkrug up top lurking to finish chances. The back four looks solid with Kilman and Wan-Bissaka coming in and so far West Ham have ‘won’ the summer transfer window quite comfortably.
OUT: Edson Alvarez (thigh)
Aston Villa team news, focus
Losing Douglas Luiz was a real blow but some savvy signings have been made with Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana and Jaden Philogene returning to Villa as his buy-back clause was activated. They have been chasing some big names, such as Joao Felix, but this summer has been a little frustrating for Villa as they look to kick on and make a splash in the Champions League. Still, you know exactly what you’re going to get from this team and they will be dangerous and ruthless on the counter.
OUT: Boubacar Kamara (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee)
West Ham vs Aston Villa prediction
It feels like West Ham have a bit of a momentum ahead of this game and could pull off a bit of an upset to underline where they’re heading under Lopetegui. He’ll get the better of his countryman Emery. West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa.