Edson Alvarez stinks out Villa Park, 80% Jarrod Bowen shines – West Ham United player ratings v Aston Villa
West Ham suffered their third defeat of the Premier League season as they lost 4-1 to Aston Villa on Sunday (22 October).
Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz opened the scoring with a long-range effort in the 30th minute, before adding another from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Jarrod Bowen reduced the deficit shortly after, but hopes of a comeback were ended as the hosts secured an important three points thanks to a third from Ollie Watkins and a fourth from Leon Bailey.
Here West Ham Zone rates the West Ham players out of 10 for their performances in the Premier League clash at Villa Park.
Alphonse Areola – 5
The Hammers goalkeeper was very busy all afternoon at Villa Park, passing the first test with a stunning diving save early on to deny Luiz from range. But the latter had the last laugh as his next shot squeezed past Areola, who made three saves throughout the 90 minutes [Sofascore], but also conceded four goals.
Vladimir Coufal – 4
Handed a tough task from the very first whistle given Lucas Digne’s constant ambitions to get forward, with the Czech Republic international struggling as he won just three of his 11 duels.
Kurt Zouma – 4
The centre-back had the unenviable task of keeping Villa striker Watkins quiet, which he didn’t do as the striker assisted Luiz’s opener before scoring himself. Zouma ended the match with zero tackles and zero interceptions.
Nayef Aguerd – 4
Aguerd was also tasked with man-handling England international Watkins, but the centre-back had a tough time on and off the ball, with the Hammers man completing just 68% of his passes.
Emerson – 4
The defender struggled to deal with Villa winger Moussa Diaby, with his issues culminating in a yellow card that means he will miss the upcoming clash with Everton due to suspension. The left-back won just three of his seven duels.
James Ward-Prowse – 6
Was once again very impressive with his set-piece deliveries, with the midfielder also making four key passes, but he ultimately couldn’t make a game-changing impact.
Edson Alvarez – 3
The Mexican will be disappointed with his showing at Villa Park, particularly having given away the penalty early in the second half. The midfielder gave away two fouls, one of which proved very costly indeed.
Jarrod Bowen – 7
Bowen did his best to trouble the home defence early on, but they proved that they were up to the task of keeping the in-form Hammers man quiet. He did, however, finally find a way through with his goal early in the second half, with the winger once again the star man for his club, netting in a fifth successive away Premier League match. He also completed four out of his five dribbles (80%).
Tomas Soucek – 4
Villa undoubtedly dominated the midfield battle, in what was a key area during the hard-fought encounter. The Czech Republic international didn’t win either of his two duels before being replaced by Mohammed Kudus.
Lucas Paqueta – 6
The Brazilian ace was bright from the very first minute, linking up well with Bowen in the first half, although neither could find a breakthrough. Paqueta won both of his aerial duels in another impressive defensive display to accompany his attacking exploits.
Michail Antonio – 5
As per David Moyes’s tactics, the Hammers striker endured a lonely time up top. Shining brightly at times this season, the Jamaican was starved of opportunities at Villa Park, and didn’t help his teammates with his three fouls conceded, a joint-match-high.
Substitutes
Mohammed Kudus (on for Soucek, 67′) – N/A
Danny Ings (on for Paqueta, 86′) – N/A
Pablo Fornals (on for Antonio, 90′) – N/A
