Aston Villa took full advantage of dropped points by their direct competitors to strengthen their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Following a draw for Manchester United and defeats for both Chelsea and Liverpool, the door was wide open.

Hosting a struggling West Ham United side fighting to stay in the division, Aston Villa delivered a composed and professional performance, securing a 2–0 victory in front of their home fans.

The breakthrough came courtesy of John McGinn, before Ollie Watkins added a second to seal all three points and keep the momentum firmly with the Birmingham club.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Aston Villa - West Ham 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: McGinn J., 15 (1:0); Watkins, 68 (2:0)

Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Konsa; Digne; Torres Pau; Onana A.; Cash; Barkley (Douglas Luiz, 67); McGinn J. (Tielemans, 67); Watkins; Sancho (Bailey, 67); Rogers M. (Buendia, 77)
Substitution: Tielemans (from 67); Douglas Luiz (from 67); Bailey (from 67); Buendia (from 77)
Bench: Bizot; Mings; Maatsen I.; Bogarde L.; Abraham T.

West Ham: Hermansen; Disasi; Mavropanos; Potts F. (Traoré Ad., 46); Diouf Mal.; Soucek (Kanté M., 83); Wan-Bissaka (Magassa, 83); Fernandes M.; Castellanos (Wilson C., 46); Pablo; Bowen
Substitution: Traoré Ad. (from 46); Wilson C. (from 46); Magassa (from 83); Kanté M. (from 83)
Bench: Areola; Walker-Peters; Kilman; Scarles; Todibo
Yellow Cards: Wan-Bissaka 45