Follow all the action live from Villa Park
CloseMatch preview: Aston Villa vs West Ham on 10/31/2021
Follow all the action when Aston Villa host West Ham United in the Premier League this afternoon.
The pressure is starting to build on Dean Smith after a disappointing start to the season, with Villa currently ranked 15th, having won just three of his nine games this season. The victory could propel Villa up to eleventh position, but they come into the game after three straight losses, the last of which, at Arsenal, saw Smith’s team completely outclassed. However, the head coach dismissed the criticism this week, insisting that any negativity had been exaggerated and that he expected a positive response from his team.
West Ham, meanwhile, comes into the game full of confidence after a brilliant start to the campaign. David Moyes’s team is fourth in the Premier League table, having won their last four matches in all competitions and is about to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League as well. The Hammers knocked out Carabao Cup champion Manchester City on penalties on Wednesday and don’t want to give up any momentum after such a strong run of results. Follow all the action live below:
Aston Villa vs West Ham
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
64 min: Benrahma is the first West Ham player to make way. He is replaced by Manuel Lanzini.
Jamie BraidwoodOctober 31, 2021 5:54 PM
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
61 minutes: Nakamba wins a couple of challenges in midfield to get the Villa crowd on their feet, they have not given up hope in this game.
However, West Ham has a chance to break. This time, Antonio was on acres of space and onside, but Fornals couldn’t find a pass through Villa’s defense.
Jamie BraidwoodOctober 31, 2021 5:52 PM
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
58 minutes: That wakes up the local crowd, but Villa lives dangerously on the other end. Targett crosses well to win the ball ahead of Fornals and deny West Ham a break. Fornals would have passed on goal if Targett hadn’t made that challenge.
Jamie Braidwood October 31, 2021 5:48 PM
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
57 minutes: Villa hit the crossbar! After a long shot, McGinn shoves the ball into the box and Watkins finds it in the near post before making an effort on goal. It takes a fine finger stop from Fabianski to deflect him to the bar.
Jamie Braidwood October 31, 2021 5:47 PM
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
55 minutes: Soucek tries his luck from range twice in quick succession. His first effort is blocked to corner by Cash, while the second, somewhat more ambitious, flies over the crossbar. West Ham can probably be more patient than that.
Jamie Braidwood October 31, 2021 5:45 PM
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
51 minutes: Creswell’s free kick goes straight to the wall and Villa can clear. Tyrone Mings, who was eliminated by Dean Smith for this game, is coming in to fill the gap left by Konsa’s firing. Buendía is the sacrificed player. It’s an uphill battle for Villa here, West Ham must be smelling blood.
Jamie BraidwoodOctober 31, 2021 5:42 PM
RED CARD! Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
49 minutes: Hause is fine, but Konsa is out! After a VAR check, the defender’s yellow card is updated to red for denying a scoring opportunity: Bowen went to goal when he was knocked down on the edge of the area.
Jamie Braidwood October 31, 2021 5:40 PM
Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
47 minutes: This could be a problem for Villa… Bowen steals to regain the ball for West Ham Ham as the visitors break through Fornals. The Spaniard had Bowen in space to the right and he overshoots the ball a bit before Hause hits him. He manages to push it towards Bowen, who is knocked down by Konsa on the edge of the box.
Konsa is booked, while VAR is watching Hause’s challenge at Fornals.
Jamie BraidwoodOctober 31, 2021 5:38 PM
START! Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
We are back on track at Villa Park!
Jamie BraidwoodOctober 31, 2021 5:34 PM
HALF TIME: Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham
Declan Rice comes off the mark in the Premier League this season following his strike shortly before halftime.
Now with one goal and three assists so far this season, he has already surpassed his total goal contributions from last season.
(Getty Images) Jamie Braidwood Oct 31, 2021 5:31 PM Newer1/5 Older
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