EPL: West Ham defeat Aston Villa 1-0

A Pablo Fornals goal was enough for West Ham to secure victory at Villa Park and collect their first points of the season.

It lifted the East London side off the bottom of the table, and provides some relief after a tricky start to the 2022/23 campaign.

Steven Gerrard’s Villa side enjoyed more possession, but there were few clear chances for either team in a dull first half.

Ezri Konsa thought he’d scored from a Lucas Digne corner, but the cross had swung out of play on its way into the box.

Jarrod Bowen found himself in on goal for a chance in the secon half, but the threat was eventually tamed by a combination of Digne and Matty Cash.

David Moyes handed a first Premier League start to Gianluca Scamacca but the Italian could not open his goalscoring account and was replaced  by Michail Antonio in the second half.

With the scores still at 0-0, Formals received a pass from Declan Rice and thought he may as well try a shot.

His shot from outside the area deflected off a Villa defender and looped over Emiliano Martinez.

It may have come in fortunate circumstances, but the Hammers will happily take this first win of the season, however it might arrive.