Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko returns from compassionate leave to score for West Ham amid conflict back home

Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko broke down in tears after scoring the opening goal to help West Ham beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Premier League overnight

Yarmolenko was back in the Hammers squad for the first time since being granted compassionate leave due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The striker dropped to his knees with both arms pointing up to the sky as he was mobbed by his teammates after scoring in the 70th minute.

«It was so emotional for me because of the situation in my country,» he told Sky Sports after the match.

«It is so difficult for me right now in this moment thinking about football because every day, the Russian army is killing Ukrainian people.

»I'm not ready 100 per cent because the last few weeks I trained maybe three or four times. I had to rest for four days because it was impossible to train; I was just thinking about my family and my people."

Yarmolenko had received a standing ovation from both sets of fans as he came on as a 53rd-minute substitute for Michail Antonio.

Pablo Fornals doubled the lead in the 82nd before Jacob Ramsey pulled one back for Villa in injury time.

The win ended a three-game losing streak in all competitions for West Ham and kept David Moyes's team just two points behind Manchester United in the fight for European places. Aston Villa is in ninth place.

Chelsea put aside their off-field turmoil to keep a grip on third place with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United, while Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester United into fourth with a 2-0 victory over Leicester City.

Everton's plummet towards the relegation zone continued as they lost 1-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers but Leeds United gained some respite with a last-gasp 2-1 win over bottom club Norwich City.

Struggling Watford gained