Premier League
West Ham United 2-1 Aston Villa 

Wednesday, 4th November 2009
by Gordon Thrower

Blimey! It’s never dull watching us is it?



* Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...

 Click to view all West Ham United vs Aston Villa match reports

 Click to view all match reports by Gordon Thrower

Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.





Player Ratings

Robert Green
Some fine saves ?EUR" the one from Petrov in the first half was different class. Given England?EUR(TM)s history in penalty shoot-outs must be a cert for South Africa.


Julien Faubert
Looked better going forward though his crossing still leaves a lot to be desired.


Herita Ilunga
Injured before he got going.


Manuel Da Costa
Good solid debut. Won a hell of a lot in the air ?EUR" even if Bennett does seem to think that that?EUR(TM)s an offence.


Matthew Upson
Looked happier this week, possibly as a result of having Da Costa alongside him.


Scott Parker
A fine game. Did the box-to-box thing all night and his run into the box set up Hines for the winner.


Mark Noble
Much better than of late. He looked lively and Friedel?EUR(TM)s save was the only thing that stopped him doubling his tally.


Jack Collison
Another who is returning to form. Needs to have a look at his footwear though ?EUR" I lost count of the number of times he slipped over during the match.


Valon Behrami
Got through another seven miles or so tonight. Looks nearer full fitness.


Guillermo Franco
Battled gamely on despite rarely causing much in the way of threat.


Carlton Cole
Was looking dangerous until his untimely exit. I?EUR(TM)m torn between wanting him back ASAP ?EUR" doing the usual thing of rushing players back too soon ?EUR" and letting him rest up until he?EUR(TM)s fully recovered. Still our physios know what they?EUR(TM)re doing. Don?EUR(TM)t they?



Substitutes

Jonathan Spector
(Replaced Ilunga, 8 mins) Looked better now he seems to have lost his allergy to crossing the halfway line.


Zavon Hines
(Replaced Cole, 30 mins) Outstanding. Caused Villa problems the second he was introduced. His work for the winner was superb.


Luis Jimenez
(Replaced Franco, 88 mins) Not on for long enough to make a major impact. One good touch. One terrible one.


Peter Kurucz
Did not play.


James Tomkins
Did not play.


Junior Stanislas
Did not play.


Alessandro Diamanti
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, Manuel Da Costa, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Jack Collison, Valon Behrami, Guillermo Franco, Carlton Cole.

Goals: Mark Noble 45 Zavon Hines 90                .

Booked: Scott Parker 51 Guillermo Franco 84        .

Sent off: None.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Beye, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Sidwell, A Young, Petrov, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Carew.

Subs not used: Guzan, Shorey, Albrighton, Delph, Delfouneso.

Goals: A Young (51).

Booked: Beye (45+2), Collins (45+3), A Young (45+3), Petrov (68).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Steve Bennett.

Attendance: 30,024.

Man of the Match: Zavon Hines.