Aston Villa moved up to fifth with their 4-1 win over West Ham, inspired largely by Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz.
Luiz’s brace, including a second-half penalty, plus goals from Watkins and Leon Bailey moved them to fifth in the Premier League – just two points off top spot.
Emery put his faith in Nicolo Zaniolo, starting while he assists the Italian authorities in their investigation into alleged illegal betting activity. Moussa Diaby’s pass evaded Kurt Zouma for Watkins to turn Vladimir Coufal. The hard work done, the striker had just Areola to beat but dragged inches wide from 12 yards.Zaniolo and Watkins linked on the left with the England striker collecting a cute return pass to tee up Luiz on the edge of the box and he drilled low past Areola.
Villa were slicker than the Hammers, who waned in the last third with a final ball missing and Michail Antonio haphazard. Ezri Konsa darted ahead and Alvarez clattered the defender to concede a penalty which Luiz coolly converted. Yet Villa ended any hopes of a recovery with 16 minutes left. The Hammers had the hosts on the ropes briefly but were caught out by John McGinn’s long ball to Watkins.
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