Aston Villa surged back to beat West Ham 3-2 at the London Stadium on Sunday as Unai Emery’s side have won six in a row to put themselves in the Premier League title race.
WATCH — Full match replay
Mateus Fernandes and Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham the lead twice in the first half after a Konstantinos Mavropanos own goal had made it 1-1.
But Villa were dominant in the second half as Morgan Rogers scored twice, including a beauty of a winner late on, to seal yet another win for Villa.
With the victory Villa have moved on to 33 points, three points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. West Ham remain on 13 points and in the relegation zone.
Rogers stepping up to lead Villa’s title charge
For so long John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins have been the key players for Villa and have delivered whenever they’re needed. But now Morgan Rogers, 23, is entering that category as a fellow trusty postman. Villa have won 10 of their last 11 games and Rogers has been at the heart of everything good going forward. The England international connects midfield and attack so seamlessly and his two goals won them the game at West Ham on Sunday. But his overall play is what is so important to Villa as he keeps hold of the ball so well, drives forward effortlessly on transitions and always looks to play forward and make things happen. Emery has brushed aside talk of a title push but if Villa’s key players, including Rogers, stay fit they can hang in the title race. They now have a run of games over the festive period which will define how seriously we talk about this title run: Man United at home then Chelsea and Arsenal away. If Villa are only three points, or less, off top spot by the end of their trip to Arsenal on December 30 then we have to talk about them as serious contenders.
What’s next?
West Ham head to Manchester City on Saturday, while Villa host Manchester United next Sunday.
West Ham vs Aston Villa score: 2-3
Fernandes 1', Bowen 25'; Mavropanos OG 9', Rogers 50', 79'
West Ham vs Aston Villa live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Almost a hat trick for Rogers!
He surges into the box on the left and has a pop across goal which he drags just wide. Could he have squared it? Probably not.
Rogers smashes home from distance!
What a goal from Villa’s star man at the moment. Rogers has so much space centrally and his dipping, bending effort flies past Areola and in. For the first time in the game Villa lead with just 10 minutes to go.
Bowen with a fine finish... but he’s offside
Paqueta plays in Bowen really well and he tries to hold his run. He smashes home across goal and thinks he has given West Ham the lead. But the offside flag is up and VAR confirms the decision. He was just offside.
Malen forces a good stop from Areola!
Donyell Malen has just come on and is already causing problems. He wriggles free of a few challenges and spanks a shot on goal which is dipping and swerving. Areola can only push it away and West Ham clear. It’s all Villa at the moment.
Rogers equalizes!
Paqueta is caught on the ball and Tielemans whips in a lovely cross for Rogers. He has so much time to control the ball and then calmly slot home to make it 2-2.
Half time: West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa
Really entertaining first half at
Rogers curls a beauty just over
Villa have dominated the ball before half time and Morgan Rogers gets free on the left. He cuts inside and curls a stunner just over the bar. That was very close to being 2-2.
Bowen deflects a shot home to give West Ham the lead!
A volley towards goal from Potts is flicked on by Jarrod Bowen instinctively and it flies in. After a quick VAR check for a potential offside, the goal stands and West Ham have the lead again. Lovely cross from Diouf down the left to cause the chaos.
Mavropanos heads into his own net!
A brilliant cross from McGinn on the right is heading towards Watkins but the ball flicks off Mavropanos and flies past his own goalkeeper. 1-1. What a start!
The Hammers lead!
What a start for West Ham as Mateus Fernandes scores with 29 seconds on the clock. That is the fastest goal of the season so far, and Ezri Konsa was at fault for Villa at the back.
West Ham lineup
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf; Fernandes, Magassa, Potts; Paqueta, Bowen, Summerville
Aston Villa lineup
Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
How to watch West Ham vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (December 14)
Venue: London Stadium — East London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
