Yarmolenko scores as West Ham beat Villa | 'It was so emotional for me'

An emotional Andriy Yarmolenko scored for West Ham in his first game since war broke out in his native Ukraine as the Hammers secured a 2-1 win against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.

There could not have been a more popular player to break the deadlock as far as the home fans were concerned, and Yarmolenko pointed to the skies before wiping away tears as he was mobbed by his team-mates following his 70th-minute strike.

The 32-year-old admitted it has been tough for him to even focus on football given what is happening in his country, but his goal served as a welcome morale booster for West Ham, with the afternoon threatening to be a damaging one following second-half injuries to Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell.

But the three points were secured thanks to Pablo Fornals, who turned home Said Benrahma's cut back after a brilliant run through the Villa midfield by Declan Rice (82).

Villa had been toothless up until that point but finally raised their game after Fornals' strike, and Jacob Ramsey ensured it was a nervy final few minutes for the Hammers after he expertly sent a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area after good work by substitutes Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia.

But it was too little too late for Steven Gerrard's side, who missed the chance to tighten their grip on ninth place, while West Ham closed the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United to just two points.

The first half passed by without either side truly threatening to score, and was largely notable for the number of stoppages caused by injuries, with Lucas Digne having to be replaced early on.

The fitness issues continued in the second period thanks to Antonio and Cresswell, who may now present David Moyes with a headache ahead of