Benrahma shines: West Ham player ratings v Aston Villa
West Ham won 2-1 against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday (13 March) to keep their pace with the top four rivals.
Andriy Yarmolenko scored in the second half after coming off the bench and Pablo Fornals added another to seal all three points for David Moyes’s side. Jacob Ramsey pulled one back for the visitors to settle for a nervy ending.
After a cagey first-half, it was a much-improved performance in the second half for the home side and West Ham Zone has rated the players out of 10 for their displays:
Lukasz Fabianski – 7
In the first half, Fabianski hasn’t been tested. In the second half, he produced a superb save to deny Danny Ings. Made another good save of Bailey, although it was more of a routine for him. Made another fantastic save to deny Emiliano Buendia.
Kurt Zouma – 8
The Frenchman was rock solid at the back. While Villa hardly created anything in the first half, he dealt with aerial headers nicely. Produced a fantastic header off Fornals’ cross, and was well saved. He was calm, composed showed leadership skills at the back in the dying minutes of the game as Villa looked for an equaliser.
Craig Dawson – 6
He got a huge opportunity to score in the second half. After Zouma’s header was saved, he had an open goal to put his header in, but he failed to hit the target from close range.
Ben Johnson – 6
Looked tidy in the first half. In the second half, he switched to left-back after Cresswell got injured. He provided a brilliant cross for Lanzini but he couldn’t control the ball in the box and hit the target.
Aaron Cresswell – 6
He was excellent on the left flank, constantly fed passes to Benrahma and Fornals. However, he picked up another injury and was taken off in the second half. It was a crushing blow for the Hammers.
Pablo Fornals – 8
His influence grew in the second half. He played out some fantastic passes and produced a pin-point delivery which first Zouma and the Dawson couldn’t score. He also delivered a good ball for Lanzini in the box. He got the second goal with a brilliant left-footed finish.
Manuel Lanzini – 4
Johnson provided with a fantastic cross to him in the box, but he couldn’t hit the target from close range. A heavy touch lets him down in the box once again after Lanzini found him in space.
Said Benrahma – 9
He was most lively in the opening 45 minutes of the game. He had a shot on goal and tried to make things happen. Provided the crucial assist for Yarmolenko. Got his second assist of the day when he picked out Fornals in the box. He gets the MOTM in our opinion.
Tomas Soucek – 7
He came close to scoring in the first half with a header which he couldn’t direct on target. He was industrious throughout the game, making some strong tackles, and loads of crucial interceptions.
Declan Rice – 7
Tidy in midfield once again. Villa were compact in midfield and they hardly allowed Rice to dictate the tempo. He made some crucial interceptions and was the central driving force in the buildup to the second goal. His trademark run from down deep in midfield opened Villa apart.
Michail Antonio – 4
Barely involved in the opening 45 minutes. He was constantly being fed with long balls to chase. Picked up a hamstring injury in the second half and was taken off.
Substitutes:
Andriy Yarmolenko (on for Antonio 52′ min) – 8
Made a huge impact in the second half, after coming on for Antonio. He showed great presence of mind to score with his left foot after picking up the ball from Benrahma. Also hit the side-netting after making a surging run. It was an emotional situation for him after what he has gone through with Ukraine.
Ryan Fredericks (on for Cresswell 56′ min)
Issa Diop (on for Benrahma 87′ min)
In other West Ham news, Stan Collymore has predicted the Hammers’ clash against Aston Villa.
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