West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa
by Paul Donovan
at the London Stadium

THIS game proved to be a case of the one that got away for West Ham as Aston Villa took all three points, courtesy of Jhon Duran – a player who the Hammers have been trying to sign all summer. 

While West Ham fielded five of their eight new signings for at least some of the game, it was Duran who came up with the winner.

The visitors looked the most dangerous side for most of the game, always looking likely to score when on the attack. 

West Ham started with Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez from the new cohort of signings. Indeed, home fans could have been forgiven for wondering whether former manager David Moyes had left. It looked a Moyes selection and for much of the game played like a Moyes team.

The home side were quickly behind when Amadou Onana rose to head home a corner from Morgan Rogers. This was when the one who got away theme began — as West Ham tried to sign Onana two seasons ago but he then preferred to go to Everton, prior to his latest move.

Villa could have extended the lead when Leon Bailey got off down the right, but having gone round the keeper he saw his shot come back off the post from a sharp angle.

Villa’s captain John McGinn then saw his shot roll wide of the post.

West Ham got back in the game after Matty Cash was harshly  adjudged to have brought down Tomas Soucek in the penalty area. Lucas Paqueta duly dispatched the penalty.

Mohammed Kudus then saw his shot saved at the post. 

By far West Ham’s best player Kudus then conjured a chance for Soucek with a rabona-style cross but the resulting shot was blocked. 

Home keeper, Alphonse Areola, was kept busy, saving a shot from Rogers.

Substitute Duran first saw an effort go into the side netting. But he did not have long to wait for another chance. The move started by Ian Maatsen saw the ball touched inside by Jacob Ramsey for Duran to fire home.

West Ham had their chances to level the scores, with first Danny Ings seeing his header from a Crysencio Summerville cross saved by Emiliano Martinez.

Then, the Kudus/ Soucek combination saw the latter’s header stopped on the line by Ezri Konsa.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui thought his side started in the worst possible way by conceding the early goal but then things improved. 

He confirmed that the new players will have to be introduced gradually. “We need to help them to adapt as soon as possible,” said Lopetegui. “We had to change important players in the last 15 minutes.”

Unai Emery emphasised the need for his team to be consistent for 38 matches. 

He was pleased with the contribution of Duran. “We want to keep him here with us,” said Emery of the player – who could so easily have been wearing the other claret and blue shirt.