Free highlights and match report as Ben Johnson, Declan Rice, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen inflict fourth straight Premier League defeat on Aston Villa; Hammers remain fourth but move level on points with champions Man City, who they trail by goal difference
Sunday 31 October 2021 18:33, UK
West Ham consolidated fourth place in the Premier League with a 4-1 victory over 10-man Aston Villa on Super Sunday.
First-half goals from Ben Johnson and captain Declan Rice sent the Hammers in ahead at the break after Ollie Watkins’s equaliser had Villa back on level terms for just four minutes.
Villa were reduced to 10 men five minutes into the second half when defender Ezri Konsa was shown a straight red card after a lengthy VAR review for a last-man challenge on Jarrod Bowen.
A spirited Villa were denied a second equaliser when Watkins’ effort was tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski before West Ham ruthlessly used their man advantage as further goals from Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen sealed a handsome win for David Moyes’ side.
West Ham remain fourth in the Premier League but the victory moves them level on points with champions Manchester City, who they trail on goal difference, while Aston Villa’s alarming slump continues as a fourth straight league defeat leaves Dean Smith’s side languishing in 15th place.
Tottenham board considering Nuno’s future
India hopes hanging by thread after New Zealand hammering
How Ole’s ‘last throw of the dice’ unlocked a winning formula
Dyer to undergo liver transplant
Solskjaer salutes Man Utd tactical masterstroke
Keane’s verdict on no-shots Spurs: ‘They’re boring’
Ronaldo stars at Spurs as Man Utd ease Ole pressure
Jeff Stelling to leave Soccer Saturday at end of the season
More to follow...
What’s next?
Aston Villa now go to Southampton on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 8pm, while West Ham go to Genk in the Europa League at 5.45pm on Thursday before hosting Liverpool on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm.