West Ham humiliated after disastrous half-hour, Watkins shines again

The former Ajax duo, Mohammed Kudus and Edson Álvarez, experienced a particularly challenging match, facing a barrage of goals from their opponents in just the first 30 minutes of the game.

Michael Olise, leveraging a precise cross from Joachim Andersen, initiated the onslaught by netting the first goal. The momentum continued as Eberechi Eze executed a stunning half bicycle kick to double the lead. The situation worsened for Kudus and Álvarez when Emerson accidentally redirected the ball into his own net, compounding their team's troubles. Before the half-hour mark was up, Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized on another assist from Olise, pushing the scoreline to a daunting 4-0.

Despite a brief spark of hope when Michail Antonio scored to narrow the deficit, Mateta was quick to reestablish the four-goal margin with a sharp shot into the near post in the second half. The match concluded with a 5-2 score, exacerbated by another own goal, this time off Tyrick Mitchell, sealing a day to forget for Kudus, Álvarez, and their teammates.

On the same day, Aston Villa showcased their strength in a competitive match against Bournemouth. Dominic Solanke, drawing on his experience, confidently converted a penalty kick to open the scoring for the visitors. However, Aston Villa responded forcefully, with Morgan Rogers equalizing the game just before the break with a skillful maneuver. The second half saw Ollie Watkins emerge as the key player for Villa, providing crucial assists that decisively turned the game in their favor. Watkins first set up Moussa Diaby with a neatly threaded pass before crafting a play for Leon Bailey, who skillfully rounded the goalkeeper to score. Watkins' contribution to the game was significant, marking him as the top assist provider across Europe's major leagues, a testament to his vital role in Aston Villa's impressive season.

This victory not only reinforced Aston Villa's position in the top four of the Premier League, ensuring their ongoing contention for Champions League football but also highlighted their strong form as they prepare for the semifinals of the Conference League. The team's robust performance and strategic play under pressure underscore their readiness for the challenges ahead, with Watkins playing a pivotal role in their pursuit of success on multiple fronts.