BBC Sport journalist slams Lucas Paqueta, West Ham United star ‘switched off’ in loss v Aston Villa
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta was “at fault” for Aston Villa’s first two goals in the match between the two clubs on Sunday (22 October), according to BBC journalist Ben Collins.
Unai Emery’s men won the Premier League meeting at Villa Park 4-1, handing the Hammers their third loss of the campaign.
Douglas Luiz netted a brace, with Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby also on target for the hosts as Jarrod Bowen scored for the visitors.
“West Ham played their part in an entertaining game at Villa Park but Lucas Paqueta, who almost joined Manchester City in the summer, was at fault for the opening two goals,” Collins wrote for BBC Sport.
He added that Paqueta “switched off as he let compatriot Douglas Luiz get a free run towards goal to score the opener.
“Just after half-time, a loose pass backwards from Paqueta allowed Konsa to nip in front of Edson Alvarez, who brought down the Villa defender for the penalty.”
Disappointing
Paqueta has proved that he is only human, with the Brazil ace not in his usual top form against Villa on Sunday. He has been superb for the Hammers so far this season, playing a key role at both ends of the pitch in his club’s strong start to the Premier League campaign.
Every player is, however, allowed a bad game here or there, but it wasn’t exactly entirely Paqueta’s fault that the East London club lost this one.
Even without his mistakes, the home side would have more than likely come out on top given their dominance throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Villa have made Villa Park a real fortress under Emery, with the Midlands club proving very hard to beat on home soil under the Spaniard.
The Hammers meanwhile have been sent a wake-up call with the defeat, with David Moyes now needing to inspire his players to bounce back as soon as possible.
In other West Ham news, one Hammers star is now among an “elite” Premier League duo after his record-breaking moment against Aston Villa.