West Ham vs Aston Villa: Goal after 28 seconds in ‘incredible start’… before Watkins equalises
There were early goals in West Ham vs Villa
West Ham made a sensational opening to a potentially vital match at home to Aston Villa on Sunday when Mateus Fernandes scored after 28 seconds to put the Hammers on course to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Portuguese midfielder Fernandes pinched possession from the crestfallen-looking Ezri Konsa inside the box and fired past goalkeeper Marco Bizot to imperil Villa’s attempt to win a ninth straight match in all competitions.
Mateus Fernandes gives West Ham the lead inside 30 seconds! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uAKu09vCXf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025
“Absolute incredible start for West Ham United,” former Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town defender Luke Chambers told BBC Sport.
“It looked like absolutely no trouble down in the corner. Konsa tries to turn out and Fernandes does brilliantly to nick it off him.
“He drives towards the edge of the six yard box and, from a real tight angle at the near post, is able to lift it above Bizot into the far corner. Fantastic composure under pressure.”
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West Ham vs Aston Villa: Watkins goal
Fernandes’ strike became the second rapid goal of the top-flight weekend, Hugo Ekitike opening the scoring after 46 seconds in Liverpool’s 2-0 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Villa were no slouches in striking back when the Villans equalised in the ninth minute through Ollie Watkins’ header from John McGinn’s inswinging cross, with the ball appearing to come off marker Konstantinos Mavropanos last.
Mateus Fernandes gives West Ham the lead inside 30 seconds! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uAKu09vCXf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025
“You cannot allow players of that level to get their heads up unopposed and put in a great flighted cross,” Chambers said.
“Watkins makes a great run just to the edge of the six yard box. Mavropanos misjudges the flight of the ball and it goes in off the back of his head.”
West Ham team vs Villa
West Ham switched four players, Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts supplanting Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez.
Left-back Ollie Scarles was on the bench following a shoulder injury, while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was out with a back problem.
The Hammers started the day two points behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, who were at home to Tottenham.
West Ham starting XI: Alphonse Areola, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Crysencio Summerville, Soungoutou Magassa, Lucas Paqueta, Freddie Potts, Mateus Fernandes, Jarrod Bowen
West Ham substitutes: Mads Hermansen, Kyle Walker-Peters, Maximilian Kilman, Igor Julio, Callum Wilson, Guido Rodriguez, Tomas Soucek, Ollie Scarles, Mohamadou Kante
Aston Villa starting lineup vs West Ham
Villa made six changes, restoring Watkins – on his 200th Premier League appearance – Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Ian Maatsen.
Lucas Digne, Lamare Bogarde, Evann Guessand, Emiliano Buendia, Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen move to the bench.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (back), centre-backs Pau Torres (calf) and Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and midfielder Ross Barkley (knee) were out.
Villa won 2-1 at Basel in the Europa League on Thursday and started a point behind second-placed Manchester City, as well as six shy of leaders Arsenal.
Aston Villa starting XI: Marco Bizot, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Ezri Konsa, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins
Villa substitutes: James Wright, Emiliano Buendia, Lucas Digne, Andres Garcia, Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho, Lamare Bogarde, Evann Guessand, George Hemmings
"They can fight for the Premier League… it's remarkable!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025
Micah Richards on this in-form Aston Villa side 💪 pic.twitter.com/9romoCoufo
How to watch Villa vs West Ham: Live online stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Sunday was at 14:00 GMT (09:00 ET / 06:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on Sky Sports Tennis.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Premier League results and fixtures this weekend
Arsenal beat Wolves 2-1 at home on Saturday courtesy of Yerson Mosquera’s 94th-minute own goal, winning after Chelsea earned their first victory in four games in all competitions with a 2-0 home defeat of Everton.
Mohamed Salah came off the bench as reigning champions Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0, and Fulham ended a two-match losing run with victory at Burnley.
All fixtures start at 14:00 GMT unless stated otherwise.
Saturday, December 13
Chelsea 2-0 Everton
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 2-3 Fulham
Arsenal 2-1 Wolves
Sunday, December 14
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham
Sunderland vs Newcastle
West Ham vs Aston Villa
Brentford vs Leeds United (16:30)
Monday, December 15
Manchester United vs Bournemouth (20:00)