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West Ham earn their first points this season as pressure On Gerrard increases.



West Ham United travelled to Villa Park in search of their first points of the season following defeat in their three opening Premier League fixtures. The game between arguably the division's two most out-of-form sides was as dull as many would've expected.


It didn't take long before the ball was in the back of the net at Villa Park. In the 16th minute, Lucas Digne's corner was headed onto the frame of the goal by Phillipe Coutinho, who was allowed a huge amount of space at the front post. The ball fell into the path of Ezri Konsa, who was there to comfortably tap the ball into the back of the net.


However, Villa's celebrations were short-lived after a VAR check ruled that the ball went out of play when Digne crossed the corner into the penalty box. So the goal was disallowed. A massive relief for the Hammers!


At half-time, David Moyes was forced to make a change after a very poor attacking first-half performance. Said Benrahma replaced Emerson Palmieri, who was making his debut for West Ham. This allowed them to shift from a back 5 to a back 4, allowing them to play more on the front foot.


Early in the second half West Ham looked set to make it 1-0 as Jarrod Bowen was running through on goal. However, a perfectly timed challenge from Digne in the penalty area was enough to stop them from going a goal down. However, the home side could only hold out for so long as Pablo Fornals made it 1-0. A nice pass from Declan Rice to Fornals on the edge of the box was set up perfectly for him to touch and shoot.


His well-struck shot struck the onrushing Ezri Konsa and looped over a hopeless Emiliano Martinez. The West Ham players ran over to the travelling fans, both extremely relieved that their team had finally scored a goal in the Premier League this season.


Aston Villa were unable to test Lukasz Fabianski in the West Ham net with just three shots on target, West Ham managed just two but managed to get the all-important winning goal. Neither manager will be happy with their team's performance but Gerrard will be feeling the pressure after a third defeat in four games.


West Ham now head into their London Derby with Tottenham Hotspur with a spring in their step and will look to spring a surprise at the London Stadium on Wednesday. It doesn't get any easier for Aston Villa in midweek as they travel to London to face top-of-the-league Arsenal.


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