From the magnificent Konstantinos Mavropanos to a surprisingly-dodgy Axel Disasi, it was a tale of two centre-halves during the opening 45 minutes of West Ham United’s trip to Aston Villa.
Jean-Clair Todibo was supposed to start alongside the Greek and the Frenchman in a three-man backline, before picking up an injury in the warm-up.
In Todibo’s absence, thus forcing a last-gasp change of shape and the introduction Freddie Potts, West Ham United were resorting to hanging on for dear life against a dominant, dangerous and fortunately quite wasteful Aston Villa side.
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Nuno picks the same starting XI!
Nuno called Mavropanos a ‘warrior’ in his pre-match press conference. The Hammers certainly needed him to be at his most imperious here.
Axel Disasi, in contrast, slipped some way short of his usual standards as Aston Villa racked up eleven shots in addition to John McGinn’s 15th minute curler; the most attempts they have managed in the first half of a Premier League game all season.
Konstantinos Mavropanos outstanding as West Ham United hang on at Aston Villa
Lee Hendrie, the former Aston Villa midfielder, wondered if Disasi could have got his head in the way of McGinn’s sublime strike. The ball flashed narrowly past the Chelsea loanee and left Mads Hermansen grasping at thin air.
“[McGinn’s goal] is brilliant,” Hendrie said on Sky Sports. “It’s passed into the net with so much elegance from McGinn. Could Disasi do better? Could he put his head on the line?”
Certainly, no one could accuse Konstantinos Mavropanos of not putting his head where it hurts.
Mavropanos produced his best-ever West Ham performance against Man City eight days ago. With two goalline clearances, one sublime tackle which forced a VAR overturn, and a few more crucial defensive interventions, this may be a close second.
Referee Paul Tierney overturned a penalty call against Mavropanos
“I felt he got enough of the ball,” Hendrie said after referee Paul Tierney had initially called a penalty against the sliding centre-back. “You can clearly see the challenge is OK; he’s coming from around the side, but you feel he gets the contact on the ball.
“Mavropanos does really well to make the challenge. He gets enough of the ball first. It’s the right decision. Great tackle.
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Mavropanos' performance is the best by a West Ham defender since… ?
“Wow, Mavropanos comes to the rescue once again!” the ex-England international said later in the half, denying Morgan Rogers from point blank range having already denied Ollie Watkins with an ‘exceptional’ interception.
“Have a look at him; he’s on the line. Brilliant defensive header away. That’s four times now he’s saved West Ham.”
Five, if you count another block which deflected a Watkins shot wide after Disasi charged out and was spun by the slippery Rogers
“There’s a divide at times [among the fans about Mavropanos], but he’s been outstanding recently.”
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