The Irons secured a comfortable victory over 10-man Aston Villa, whose struggle continues.
West Ham defeated 10-man Aston Villa 2-0, to obtain a fourth win in six Premier League games. Goals from Michail Antonio and Cheikou Kouyate in the second half maintained the Hammers’ fantastic sixth position in the league, and heaped more misery and pressure on Remi Garde’s Aston Villa side.
West Ham were pre-match favourites, but things got worse for Villa when Jordan Ayew aggressively elbowed Aaron Cresswell in an off-the-ball incident just 17 minutes into the game. It was a moment of madness.
Ayew’s walk of shame back to the dugout was a sign of a team that just don’t know what they’re doing, but spare a thought for those travelling fans who were fantastic throughout the game while they watched their team crumble.
A depleted Villa could only sit back and strike on the counter and for the rest of the first half they forced West Ham to play wide. But without the towering presence of Andy Carroll or Diafra Sahko chances for the home side were slim. A half volley from James Tomkins and a slice wide by Enner Valencia were as good at it got, as West Ham continued to look for the breakthrough.
But as has been seen from West Ham so often this season, they perform like a team possessed after the break. Patient build up was required from the Hammers and they finally found a way through thanks to in-form winger Antonio. Mark Noble pinged a fantastic ball over the top for an unmarked Antonio to head in off the post to give the home side the lead in the 58th minute.
Charging
Villa now had to chase the game, and were caught out on a counter attack which was defended out for a corner. The short corner from Scott Sinclair was picked up by Payet, who found Valencia charging towards the Villa goal. He then played a superb through ball to Kouyate who calmly slotted home for a 2-0 lead, and claimed all three points for his side in the 85th minute. It was clear the win was sealed as West Ham continued to keep the ball and play a possession game.
The away fans voiced their feelings, clearly disgruntled with their team’s performance, continuously booing towards the end of the game. Some Villa fans pulled out a banner proclaiming ‘sack the board’. You have to feel for the fans. Their owner effectively waved the white flag in January with no new signings, and has now become Villa’s footballing villain.
Aston Villa have won only one of their past 23 Premier League games and are in deep trouble. No team with 13 points or fewer from 24 games have avoided relegation in the Premier League era. Villa’s next match is home game against fellow relegation strugglers Norwich City on Saturday 6th February. West Ham also travel away to Southampton for the late kick-off on the same day.