Sky Sports pundit slams Alphonse Areola, West Ham United ace will be ‘disappointed’ after what happened v Aston Villa
West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will be “disappointed” not to have prevented Douglas Luiz’s goal for Aston Villa, according to Sky Sports pundit Karen Carney.
The Brazilian midfielder netted the opener in the 30th minute of the clash between the two clubs at Villa Park on Sunday (22 October).
The home side won the Premier League meeting 4-1 to go fifth in the table, with the travelling outfit now ninth after the loss.
“Maybe [the deflection does] enough,” Carney said live on Sky Sports Main Event (5.26pm, 22 October). “I think the keeper will still be disappointed when he looks back on it. He’s got a hand to it, could he be a bit stronger? But a slight nick there.”
Unfortunate
Areola may look back on the goal and think he could have done better, but in the goalkeeper’s defence the ball did take a deflection off one of his defenders.
Moreover, it didn’t exactly matter, with the home side running riot and scoring three more times, with Luiz adding to his long-range effort with a penalty.
Hammers star Jarrod Bowen did his best to inspire a comeback from the East London club, but Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey netted shortly after to secure a big win for the hosts.
It was a damaging and indeed surprising defeat for David Moyes’s side, who have been impressive in all areas of the pitch this season.
But they simply weren’t up to the task against Unai Emery’s men, who have really turned Villa Park into a fortress under the Spaniard.
They look really strong under the talented boss, with the sky now the limit for the Midlands club, both in the Premier League and the Europa Conference League.
In other West Ham news, one Hammers-linked player is weighing up offers, with a European giant “leading the charge” for his signature.