Andriy Yarmolenko made a triumphant return from compassionate leave on Sunday afternoon when the Ukraine captain came off the bench to open the scoring for West Ham. The goal was superbly taken by Yarmolenko with one touch to control and then another with the outside of his left boot beyond the despairing Emi Martinez in the Villa net.
However, it was the celebration and emotion surrounding Yarmolenko's return that grabbed the headlines. The Ukrainian has missed the past four Hammers matches due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Yarmolenko's energy being expended on the safety of his family and his fellow countrymen.
The West Ham No.7 after his strike was joined in an emotional embrace by his Hammers teammates. Following the final whistle, David Moyes revealed that the attacker was given a standing ovation by the entire West Ham squad and backroom staff and the Scot's assistant Stuart Pearce admitted it was a touching moment.
