West Ham United recorded their first victory of the Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Pablo Fornals' deflected shot in the final 20 minutes of the game was enough to seal three points against Steven Gerrard's side to move the Hammers off the bottom of the Premier League table.
Here is how football.london ’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Villa.
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Lukasz Fabianski
After a midweek rest, Lukasz Fabianski was back in goal in place of Alphonse Areola. Had to be solid to deal with the few half chances, mainly from Philippe Coutinho, Villa had before half-time. One of a few guilty of switching off when Ezri Konsa put the ball in the back of the net at a corner, only for it to be rightly ruled out shortly after. Needed again after the break to make a few routine stops, but got the job done for his first clean sheet of the campaign. 7
Ben Johnson
After a bright showing in Viborg on Thursday night, Ben Johnson was handed a return to the league side at right wing-back, with David Moyes opting for a formation change. His afternoon was short-lived, forced off before the midway point of the first half through injury and replaced by Vladimir Coufal on his return from concussion. 5
Thilo Kehrer
In the formation change, Thilo Kehrer started as a right centre-back to earn his third consecutive start in all competitions. Looked solid when it came to clearances and meeting crosses into the box, as well as being comfortable with his passing. However, when defending 1v1, while some of the time he looked on top, he did make the odd silly foul on occasion. Moved from the right of a back three to left centre-back when West Ham switched back to 4-2-3-1 at half-time. Really good in the second half, more composed and helped to shackle Villa in their own back yard. 7
Kurt Zouma (Star man)
Probably the only player to get through the first half with any proper credibility was Kurt Zouma. Occupying the central role of the centre-back trio, he met everything that came his way very comfortably, able to dictate and manage those around him well in a central role that relied on him to be consistent and meet everything that came his way. Switched to the right of Kehrer at the break when Moyes went back to his trusted shape. Comfortably the best player on the pitch, he could have played for hours and was just never getting beaten. His season has properly started now, and with aplomb too. 8
Aaron Cresswell
Captain in midweek, Aaron Cresswell kept his place in the side, despite seeing new left-back rival Emerson also start, with Cresswell starting on the left side of the three at the back formation West Ham started with. Did not do a lot wrong. Able to get forward more and get crossed into the box, but did have one or two nervy moments defensively late on, although he cleared well at times. Probably his most complete performance so far in the league. 6
Emerson
Following his £13million arrival from Chelsea earlier this week, Emerson was thrown straight into the side for a debut, starting as a left wing-back. Did not do an awful lot in the first half, and whether it was due to fitness or just a needed approach, was replaced at half-time, with the Hammers notably better after the break. 5
Declan Rice
For 70 minutes, Declan Rice had a really poor game, but he ended it superbly and had he played like that throughout, he would have been a contender for man of the match. Gave the ball away so much until the last 20 minutes, but played the pass that led to Fornals' perhaps fortuitous opener. Really good after that, put his body on the line, won tackles and won a free-kick shortly after the goal with a brilliant surge up the pitch. On and off in the season so far, but ended excellently. 7
Tomas Soucek
After opening his goal account for the season in Denmark, like the majority of his temmates in the first half, was poor before the break. Got more involved after the break and was able to form a good midfield that allowed West Ham to win the ball and turn defence into attack quickly. An okay showing. 6
Pablo Fornals
Pablo Fornals started the game in a No.10 role behind a front two of Jarrod Bowen and Gianluca Scamacca. Did very little as West Ham spent most of the half defending and keeping the hosts at bay. Moved to the left flank for the second half and it was his shot that ballooned in off Ezri Konsa to give West Ham a first league goal of the season. Much more involved in the second half and provided the magic touch, with a huge slice of luck on the way. 7
Jarrod Bowen
Still a shadow of the player he was last season and should have opened the scoring in the second half when Villa broke after Fornals played him through on goal. Lost his footing and spent too long deciding whether to shoot or square it to Benrahma, instead, doing neither. Looked more involved after the break as West Ham picked up a few gears, but still short and by some way. 5
Gianluca Scamacca
Off the back of two goals in as many starts in the Europa Conference League qualifying wins over Viborg, Gianluca Scamacca was handed a full Premier League debut ahead of Michail Antonio up front. Hardly got any service before the break but looked to hold up play and battle where he could, creating the one half chance West Ham had before the break. Better with the formation change and got off one half chance that was blocked shortly before coming off. Good with the ball at his feet, but did not really get the chance to threaten going forward. 6
Substitutes
Vladimir Coufal
In the defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion a week ago, Coufal was knocked out and replaced by Johnson late in on the second half. The roles reversed at Villa Park as Johnson was forced off injured after 20 minutes. Brilliant in the second half, attacked well and fought his way through the closing stages brilliantly.7
Said Benrahma
After a first half that saw the Hammers offer absolutely nothing going forward, Algerian Said Benrahma was bought into the fray at half-time that allowed the Hammers to make a big formation switch. Within seconds, his arrival in the No.10 seemed to lift those around him, but it was a mixed bag. Good on the break, but sometimes lacked making the right run or showing enough endeavour. West Ham definitely played better with him on. 6
Michail Antonio
Antonio lost his starting place up front at Villa Park as Moyes opted to go with £30.5m man Scamacca instead. Replacing the Italian with 25 minutes to go. Battled and fought, exactly what was needed when he come on, getting at Villa and forcing them into a battle. 6
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