Former West Ham United transfer target Jhon Durán sealed a first-ever victory for Aston Villa at the London Stadium, scoring a late winner to cap off a 2-1 success for Unai Emery’s side on the opening day of the Premier League season.
An optimism-filled rendition of ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ echoed around the London Stadium to greet Julen Lopetegui and his multiple big-name new signings, but it was Villa’s latest record acquisition who wasted no time getting the scoring underway.
Amadou Onana stormed into the six-yard box to meet and thump in Youri Tielemans’ corner, leaving the hosts stunned after less than four minutes and endearing himself to the Villa faithful in the process.
Aston Villa continued in that vein, and Morgan Rogers tested Alphonse Areola as he looked to build on his excellent pre-season form.
Further clear chances soon came Villa’s way, with Leon Bailey hitting the post after taking it around Areola and John McGinn slotting wide from the middle of the box. But for all the visitors’ control, a long ball had Matty Cash in a tangle with Tomáš Souček in the area, and referee Tony Harrington pointed to the spot despite the Villa defender getting a slight touch among the melee.
Lucas Paquetá coolly dispatched from 12 yards, spurring the Hammers on to finish the half strongly, and Emerson could have snatched an unlikely lead for the hosts if not for a smart stop from Copa América winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Compared to the first half, the restart was markedly more uncomfortable for Aston Villa, but they still came close to restoring the lead through Rogers, with Areola getting down well at the near post to deny the Englishman.
Villa’s counter-attacking threat was palpable throughout the second period, and Durán – introduced on the hour to replace Ollie Watkins – raced through to hit the side netting, before the Colombian went one better against his potential suitors.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, substitute and new face Ian Maatsen burst down the left to find Jacob Ramsey, who in turn squared to Durán to slot under Areola in front of the packed away end.
Danny Ings had Martínez stretching to save late on, while Ezri Konsa made a last-gasp block on the goalline Aston Villa saw out just a second win in 13 against West Ham, sending confidence sky-high ahead of a first UEFA Champions League campaign since 1983.
Meanwhile, there were encouraging signs for the hosts despite the result, especially with Lopetegui’s philosophy still to be embedded and their many new signings being eased into the side.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")