Aston Villa coach Steven Gerrard got the players he wanted this July, and everybody included him, expected better results but they are just not coming, and today it’s just got worse. After a stunning opening day loss to newly promoted Bournemouth, the Villians managed a pale win against Everton, but a defeat from Crystal Palace followed, and today, they got beat by the rock bottom West Ham at Villa Park 0-1. In the nearby Wolverhampton, the home team failed to win in their 11th Premier League match, as they were nearly beaten by Newcastle United, but the game eventually finished with a draw: 1-1.West Ham have now failed to have a shot on target in the first half of three of their four Premier League games this season:◉ 0 vs. Man City◎ 2 vs. Nottingham Forest◉ 0 vs. Brighton ◉ 0 vs. Aston VillaAnd they’re still waiting for their first goal. 😲 pic.twitter.com/AVoQpGfPrk— Squawka (@Squawka) August 28, 2022 For this match, Steve G decided to shake up the squad against a last placed West Ham and made four changes. Chambers, Luiz, Coutinho and Ings all come into the starting line-up. They replaced Mings, Ramsey, Buendia and Bailey. His colleague David Moyes also introduced Scamacca and new signing Emerson for the first time, while Coufal, Benrahma and Antonio started from the bench.
The game was very nervous in the first 20 minutes and only real chance came from Konsa, who scored but the goal was nullified since Digne’s corner went out of play first, before the defender tapped it in. Eventually Villa and Coutinho in particular took over the field and played better but without the ultimate outcome – a goal. The same thing continued in the second half and even thou the home team were closer to scoring, it was Konsa’s unfortunate reflection which allowed a substitute Fornals to score a beautiful goal for the first win this season. It was somehow expected, if we look at the tradition, which the English always look upon, West Ham have won each of their last four Premier League games against Aston Villa, and today it was their fifth. In fact, Aston Villa have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games against West Ham including today. So, Steve G is in trouble.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 4SaturdaySouthampton – Manchester United 0-1 (0-0)/Fernandes 55/Brentford – Everton 1-1 (0-1)/Janelt 84 – Gordon 24/Brighton – Leeds 1-0 (0-0)/Gross 66/Chelsea – Leicester 2-1 (0-0)/Sterling 47, 63 – Barnes 66/Liverpool – Bournemouth 9-0 (5-0)/Diaz 3, 85, Elliott 6, Alexander-Arnold 28, Firmino 31, 62, Van Dijk 45, Mepham 46 og/Manchester City – Crystal Palace 4-2 (0-2)/Silva 53, Haaland 62, 70, 81 – Stones 4 og, Andersen 21/Arsenal – Fulham x-x (x-x)SundayAston Villa – West Ham 0-1 (0-0)/Fornails 74/Wolverhampton – Newcastle 1-1 (1-0)/Navas 38 – Saint Maximin 90/18.30: (7.50) Nottingham Forest (4.40) Tottenham (1.50)***odds are subject to change