On July 26, 2020, West Ham United faced Aston Villa in the final match of the Premier League season at the London Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that secured Aston Villa’s place in the Premier League for the next season.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- West Ham United: 1 (Andriy Yarmolenko 85′)
- Aston Villa: 1 (Jack Grealish 84′)
- Possession:
- West Ham United had 55% possession, while Aston Villa had 45%. West Ham’s control of possession allowed them to create more opportunities, but Villa’s effective counter-attacking play ensured they remained competitive.
- Shots:
- West Ham United registered 9 shots, with 3 on target, demonstrating their attempts to challenge Villa’s defense. Aston Villa had 10 shots, with 3 on target, reflecting their efforts to secure the crucial points needed for survival.
- Passing Accuracy:
- West Ham displayed a passing accuracy of 82%, completing 442 passes out of 541 attempts. Aston Villa had a passing accuracy of 75%, completing 329 passes out of 439 attempts. The passing statistics showed West Ham’s better ball retention and control in the midfield.
- Defensive Statistics:
- West Ham made 18 tackles compared to Aston Villa’s 14, indicating a more aggressive approach in trying to regain possession. Both teams committed 10 fouls, showing the physical nature of the match.
- Set Pieces:
- Both goals came from open play, with Jack Grealish scoring a crucial goal for Aston Villa in the 84th minute, only for West Ham to equalize through Andriy Yarmolenko a minute later. Set pieces did not directly influence the scoreline.
- Individual Performances:
- Jack Grealish was the standout player for Aston Villa, scoring the goal that appeared to secure their Premier League status before Yarmolenko’s equalizer. Grealish’s overall performance demonstrated his importance to the team. For West Ham, Andriy Yarmolenko’s late goal ensured a share of the points.
- Tactical Overview:
- West Ham United employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on maintaining possession and creating chances through their attacking midfielders. Aston Villa used a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to be solid defensively and use the pace and creativity of their forwards to counter-attack. Villa’s tactical approach was focused on securing the point needed for survival, while West Ham sought to end the season on a positive note.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, one for West Ham United (Issa Diop 70′) and two for Aston Villa (Ahmed Elmohamady 51′, Matt Targett 80′). These fouls were tactical, aimed at stopping opposition attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- West Ham United won 4 corners compared to Aston Villa’s 3, reflecting their slightly better attacking pressure. Aston Villa were caught offside twice, while West Ham had one offside call, indicating disciplined defensive lines from both teams.
Summary
The 1-1 draw between West Ham United and Aston Villa was a tense and crucial match, particularly for Villa, who needed a point to ensure their Premier League survival. Jack Grealish’s late goal appeared to secure safety for Villa, but Andriy Yarmolenko’s almost immediate equalizer meant Villa had to endure a nervous final few minutes. West Ham, with better possession and passing accuracy, managed to control large portions of the game, but Villa’s resolute defense and counter-attacking strategy earned them the point they needed. The result ensured Aston Villa’s place in the Premier League for the next season, highlighting their resilience and determination in a pressure-filled match.
