West Ham United are out of the Premier League's relegation zone after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
Ollie Watkins' first half header gave the visitors the lead, but Said Benrahma levelled the contest before half-time from the penalty spot, with West Ham moving out of the relegation zone only via goal difference.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Villa.
Alphonse Areola
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was making his 35th appearance in a West Ham shirt in all competitions, but despite that number, this was his full Premier League debut at home. Will have been disappointed to have lost the chance to get a first league clean sheen when Watkins' first half header went past him, although not his fault.
Made one excellent stop at the end of the first half to deny Watkins giving Villa a 2-1 lead, staying low to deny him from point-blank range. Did not have all that much to do in the second half, but his save to deny Watkins at 1-1 was a big moment. 7
Thilo Kehrer
After Ben Johnson's struggles for the Hammers in the 4-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, German defender Thilo Kehrer was preferred at right-back to Johnson, with Vladimir Coufal still out with a heel issue. Alex Moreno, Villa's starting left-back, found way too much joy against Kehrer, including Villa's opening goal, where the West Ham defender did not close him down and his cross was nodded in by Watkins.
Moreno created a few big chances in the first half, with Kehrer really struggling before the break. Looked less vulnerable in the second half and was able to attack more, but another game where it feels like Coufal was missed at right-back. 5
Kurt Zouma
There was a first league start for Kurt Zouma in just over seven weeks and only his second in 2023, having suffered a thigh issue in his last league start against Everton, his first game back from knee surgery.
One of West Ham's best, the Frenchman made a few really important clearances and blocks for everything the Hammers did well going forward, they needed solidity at the back to keep them in it at times and Zouma gave them exactly that.
Makes such a difference when he plays and will be crucial in the last two months of the campaign. Close to a second goal of the season when heading a Declan Rice free-kick wide in the first half. 7
Nayef Aguerd
After a taste of Moyes' ideal centre-back duo against AEK Larnaca in midweek, West Ham fans saw it again with Nayef Aguerd playing alongside Zouma in the heart of defence for the first time from the start in a Premier League game.
At fault alongside Emerson for the goal by Watkins, with the in-form Villa striker getting in between the two of them. Did little wrong barring that, good at bringing the ball forward and trying to start moves, also poking wide at the back post at a first half set-piece. Looked good alongside Zouma, but beaten too easily by the cross. 6
Emerson
Italian left-back Emerson was given a full rest in midweek and was back in the starting 11 to face Villa, where he made his league debut for West Ham back in August.
Like Aguerd, should have done better for Watkins' goal, but was immense in the second half, made a few good clearing headers when Villa did foray forward. Linked up well with Benrahma and Lucas Paqueta out wide at times. Looking to really solidify his place at left-back. 7
Tomas Soucek
Tomas Soucek was given a rest for two thirds of the game in Cyprus, coming on in place of Declan Rice for the final portion on Thursday night. An okay showing, one that was more about his defensive work than it was going forward. Added some physicality at times, although lacked pace on occasion when trying to win the ball back. Least effective of the midfielders. 6
Declan Rice
Captain Declan Rice was one of six players to keep their place in the starting side from midweek, but was taken off after an hour in Cyprus, having set up Michail Antonio's excellent second goal in Larnaca.
Put in some good set-pieces which gave West Ham some avenues to go close from. Did his defensive duties largely well, although was almost at fault for giving away a penalty in the second half for a challenge on Emiliano Buendia, not given after a VAR check. Tried to move the ball forward to start moves too. 7
Lucas Paqueta
Having missed a big chance late on off the bench in Cyprus, Lucas Paqueta more than made amends in the first half, one of West Ham's best as he showed technical quality, matched with good footwork and serious intensity with his pressing.
Won the penalty after drawing a foul out of Leon Bailey, seconds after having a shot headed off the line. Really effective and classy on the ball at times, first to come off but did have concerns over a calf issue ahead of kick-off. 7
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen was among those saved for only the final third during the win in Larnaca. Had a brilliant first half, ran Villa's Moreno completely ragged until West Ham equalised from the penalty spot, with his runs from the right looking like the most plausible route back into the game.
A quieter spell at the start of the second half, but strutted his stuff again down the right late on, creating chances for Benrahma and Pablo Fornals late on. Probably deserved an assist at least. 7
Danny Ings
Striker Danny Ings was back in the starting line-up after a midweek rest, looking to become the first player in the Premier League since the 2017/18 season to score for and against the same team in the same season, having left Villa for the London Stadium in a £12million move just two months ago.
Did not do so in a quiet showing for him, pressed where he could but barring a couple of interceptions turned into through balls, did not see much of the game before coming off. 5
Said Benrahma (Star man)
Benrahma went into the game off the back of a good assist in midweek in Cyprus and strengthened his lead as top of direct goal involvements for the season with thunderous penalty in the first half.
Clearly gained a confidence boost from that goal, having struggled at times before then, letting a few long shots off as the first half drew to a close. On another day, he gets a hat-trick, with five shots on target and five others in the game.
Martinez was forced into a couple of second half saves, and Ashley Young was forced into a late block. He, Bowen and Paqueta were all brilliant at times. 7
Substitutes
Pablo Fornals
With just under 15 minutes to go, Pablo Fornals, who scored the winner in this fixture back in August, was thrown into the mix in place of Paqueta. Had a big chance late on but blazed over after Bowen's cut back. 5
Maxwel Cornet
For the first time in almost five and a half months, Maxwel Cornet made a Premier League appearance, replacing Ings in the closing stages. A lucky reprieve when his stoppage time chance was saved, having been offside when played through by Benrahma. N/A
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