The opening game of any season always holds so much hope for teams and fans alike, and there was much intrigue and optimism at the London Stadium in the battle of the Claret and Blues, with many new signings on both sides that fans were hoping to catch a glimpse of.
Both sides barely had time to settle before we saw the first goal of the game. A perfectly orchestrated Aston Villa corner from the left hand side saw the tallest man on the pitch, Amadou Onana, ghost in and bury a header from point blank range, becoming an instant Villa hero four minutes into his debut.
Aston Villa really took hold of the game after going ahead. More chances followed, first with Morgan Rogers making what has become a trademark run through the middle, the defence opening up for him before seeing his tame effort easily saved by Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal.
Ollie Watkins then had a chance to recreate his incredible goal for England at the Euros from the same tight angle, but instead he looked for support that wasn’t there after being put through and the attack fizzled out.
At this point Villa were in total control – Onana and Youri Tielemans, resuming their international partnership in Belgium’s midfield now at club level – with plenty of time on the ball to start attacks from deep.
Leon Bailey was then presented with a glorious chance to make it 2-0. A long ball over the top resulted in Areola coming right out of his goal to the wide area, and with a very smart touch Bailey rounded him, but still had work to do from the tight angle with the impressive Max Kilman covering the keeper-less net, and Bailey agonizingly hit the base of the post with his shot.
Another Villa break resulted in McGinn getting two bites at the cherry, eventually passing a shot with his weaker right foot just the wrong side of the far post.
Then came a lifeline that West Ham desperately needed – a long punt into the box resulted in a coming together between Matty Cash and Tomas Soucek, with the referee pointing to the spot. There was a VAR check, but it seemed Villa were victims of the new directive to only overturn the on-field decision if it is a clear and obvious error, and although Cash did get a slight touch, it wasn’t enough to reverse the referee’s decision.
Up stepped Lucas Paqueta, who gave renowned spot-kick stopper Emi Martinez the eyes and sent him the wrong way to level it up at 1-1 against the run of play.
Almost inevitably the goal gave the West Ham players and fans the impetus they needed to finally gain a foothold in the game. Whereas it had been all Aston Villa up until that point, suddenly West Ham were banging on the door and it was Villa hanging on for half time.
They did get in to the dressing room a goal apiece, but not before Martinez had to get down smartly to deny Emerson Palmieri at his near post.
The second half began much as the first ended, with West Ham looking much more assured – in particular Mohammed Kudus, who began causing Villa all sorts of problems down the left hand side.
He fashioned a chance from a wonderful rabona cross, and Soucek perhaps should have done better with a chest down and shot inside the box.
Villa had a good break again with Rogers bursting through the middle. Tielemans was teed up on the edge of the box, and his blocked shot fell kindly to Rogers who was off balance and scuffed a shot to the grateful Areola.
John Duran and Aaron Ramsey were introduced for Aston Villa in the 61st minute, with Watkins definitely looking off the pace with no pre-season minutes under his belt after his Euros heroics.
Michail Antonio had a good headed chance for West Ham at the back post but fired over, and then Duran was put through for a great opportunity for Villa, but he rapped a shot into the side netting when he probably should have slid it inside to Ramsey for an easy tap-in.
A triple substitution for West Ham followed with two debuts – summer signings Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville, brought in from Borussia Dortmund and Leeds United respectively – and Premier League stalwart and set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse entering the action.
Villa also twisted again, a debut for Dutch left-back Ian Maatsen, also signed from Borussia Dortmund after a stellar season where he was named in the Champions League team of the year, and Jadon Philogene with a second Aston Villa debut after being re-signed from Hull City.
The game was still fairly even, but then Aston Villa landed a killer blow in the 79th minute. A blink and you miss it one touch combination between three young substitutes, Maatsen, Ramsey and then Duran – who has to earn the trust of Villa fans again after a questionable Instagram gesture when it looked as though he would sign for today’s opponents – made up for his earlier miss by slotting the ball between Areola’s legs to make it 2-1 to Villa.
Another debut for Aston Villa came late on as Cash hobbled off to be replaced by Serbian 19 year old Kosta Nedeljkovic.
Villa all of a sudden looked a very youthful and exuberant side, and the slick passing between the young unit was very easy on the eye at times.
As usually is the case, West Ham would have one more big chance, and a very big chance it was. Soucek rose above Nedeljkovic in the six yard area – but his initial header was blocked on the line by the chest of Ezri Konsa, and then Soucek somehow managed to slice the follow-up volley over the bar.
That would be that, in what was a story of debuts, with the two teams in action here among the most active in the summer transfer window. There will be more to come from both sides as match sharpness improves and the much changed squads gel, but in the end Aston Villa deserved the win on the balance of chances.
Man of the Match – Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)