aston villa 0 v west ham 1

 

It's a scorching hot summer afternoon at Villa Park. Everyone's up for the game, buoyed by victory against Everton in our last home outing.

Our opponents today are West Ham, languishing toward the bottom of the table and yet to score a goal. The sun is shining and what can possible go wrong?

It happens in the 74th minute. A deflected shot from Pablo Fornals and the ball nestles in the back of the Villa goal.

Oh dear! It shouldn't have ended this way at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aston villa 1 v 4 west ham - dean smith's last home game

 

It proved to be his last home game.

 

The writing was on the wall when West Ham scored with just seven minutes on the clock. A brilliant Ollie Watkins equaliser gave grounds for hope, but then three unanswered goals and a red-card for Ezri Konsa signalled the beginning of the end. He cut a lonely figure as the final whistle went.

 

Thank you Dean for everything you did to bring us back to the Premiership.