Jhon Duran’s Late Goal Sinks West Ham in Opener | OneFootball

Aston Villa Snatch Late Victory at West Ham in Premier League Opener

Aston Villa began their Premier League campaign with a dramatic late winner against West Ham, courtesy of substitute Jhon Duran. The Colombian striker, who had been the subject of summer transfer speculation involving the Hammers, sealed a 2-1 victory for Unai Emery’s side, leaving West Ham to rue a sluggish start.

Duran’s Impact Shines Through

Duran, who replaced an underwhelming Ollie Watkins with half an hour left, made the most of his opportunity by latching onto Jacob Ramsey’s pass and slotting the ball into the bottom corner with just 11 minutes remaining. The goal was a fitting response from Duran, whose move to West Ham had been widely discussed but never materialised. Instead, the hosts opted to bring in Germany forward Niclas Fullkrug, a decision that ultimately did little to trouble Villa’s resolute defence.

Despite being reprimanded by Villa for a social media gesture that hinted at a move to East London, Duran’s focus on the pitch never wavered. His goal was the culmination of Villa’s dominance throughout the match, ensuring they left the London Stadium with all three points. Emery praised Duran’s performance, highlighting the club’s belief in his potential and reaffirming their desire to keep him amidst ongoing transfer speculation.

West Ham’s Missed Opportunities

West Ham’s performance was a tale of missed opportunities and a lack of urgency, particularly in the first half. The Hammers struggled to find their rhythm, and it was Aston Villa who took the lead early on. Amadou Onana, making his debut for Villa, was left unmarked in the box to head home from Youri Tielemans’ corner after just four minutes. It was a dream start for the Belgian midfielder, but a nightmare for West Ham’s defence, which looked disjointed and vulnerable.

The Hammers were handed a lifeline just before half-time when Matty Cash was adjudged to have fouled Tomas Soucek in the box. Lucas Paquetá coolly converted the resulting penalty, sending Emiliano Martinez the wrong way with a stuttering run-up. However, West Ham’s resurgence was short-lived as they failed to capitalise on their momentum, with chances few and far between in the second half.

Late Drama and What Could Have Been

West Ham’s attempts to find an equaliser grew increasingly desperate as the match wore on. Fullkrug and Danny Ings were introduced in a bid to add firepower, while debutant Crysencio Summerville whipped in a tantalising cross that Ings headed towards goal, only to be denied by Martinez. The Hammers’ final chance fell to Soucek, who hooked the ball over from close range in the dying seconds, a miss that summed up West Ham’s frustrating afternoon.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, will feel justified in their approach, having created numerous chances throughout the match. Leon Bailey’s early effort, which struck the post, and John McGinn’s shot that went narrowly wide, were just some of the opportunities that could have extended Villa’s lead. In the end, Duran’s late strike ensured that Villa’s persistence paid off, securing a victory that sets a positive tone for their Premier League campaign.