Premier League English

Aston Villa closes in on Premier League top four with West Ham thrashing

Former Arsenal and Villareal boss Unai Emery is keenly prodding his Aston Villa side to step up their pursuit of their dreams this season after handing West Ham a 4-1 thrashing yesterday to two points within touching proximity of league leaders Manchester City.

Douglas Luiz secured a brace, while Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were also spot on to help Villa record an 11th consecutive home Premier League win.

Since taking charge just over a year ago, Emery has successfully transformed Villa into a winning team, with only Manchester City and Arsenal having won more Premier League points in 2023. Their most recent victory takes them up to fifth in the table, clearly within striking distance of leaders City.

Theirvisibly encouraged captain, John McGinn, has been enthusing about harboring ambitions to qualify for the Champions League as his boss Emery is focused on at least securing European football for a second consecutive season.

“One of our dreams is to be with the top seven teams and to do something in Europe,” said Emery, whose side are in the Europa Conference League this season.

“To get European football is very important and that is the work we need to try to do. We need to be consistent in what we are doing.”

Brazilian national Luiz became the first Villa player to score in six consecutive home Premier League games when his strike from the edge of the box was way too powerful for Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal on 30 minutes.

Luiz then took the chance to double his side’s advantage from the penalty spot early in the second period after Edson Alvarez tripped Ezri Konsa.