The Hammers started the brighter of the two teams and went close when Said Benrahma had a shot on goal but Emi Martinez was equal to the effort. Soon after Pablo Fornals sent his effort just wide of the post from 20 yards out.<\/p>\n
The hosts were having most of the early possession but Villa looked dangerous when they were able to get on the ball. Jacob Ramsey<\/a> burst into the box before squaring to Phillipe Coutinho, the loanee narrowly failed to score through a flicked effort.<\/p>\n There wasn\u2019t much difference between the two sides although the presence of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek gave the home side the edge.<\/p>\n Late in the first half, Douglas Luiz was kicked in the face through a high boot from Manuel Lanzini. After the game, Gerrard confirmed that the Brazilian would need facial reconfiguration.<\/p>\n Villa came close early in the second period when \u0141ukasz Fabia\u0144ski tipped Danny Ings\u2019 effort onto the post but it was the hosts who would soon take the lead after a build of pressure on the Villa goal.<\/p>\n Substitute Andriy Yarmolenko<\/a> took advantage of the time afforded him by Villa\u2019s defence after receiving Benrahma\u2019s pass to turn, shoot and score in the bottom corner.<\/p>\n West Ham paid a lovely gesture when the stadium PA announced \u201ca goal for West Ham and Ukraine\u201d.<\/p>\n With eight minutes remaining, the Hammers doubled their lead. Rice broke out from his own half and found Benrahma, who laid the ball off to Fornals who sent a low shot past Martinez.<\/p>\n Villa did get themselves back in the game late on when Emi Buendia squared for Jacob Ramsey who cooly slotted his sixth goal of the season into the back of the net.<\/p>\n Aston Villa v Arsenal![\"Gerrard](\"https:\/\/www.avillafan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gerrard-4-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Bad<\/h2>\n
\n
The Good<\/h2>\n
\n
Up Next<\/h2>\n
\nSaturday, 19th March \u2013 12.30 (GMT)
\nVilla Park, Birmingham<\/p>\n