Unai Emery hails ‘ambitious’ Aston Villa response in comeback win at West Ham to stay in title race

Emery said: "Our start was poor, two times we were behind but how they responded and how we achieved those three points is how we are as a team.

"Being ambitious, responsible, being organised in our structure. I’m so happy how we responded."

Villa trailed to Mateus Fernandes’ goal after just 29 seconds and later a poacher’s strike from Jarrod Bowen.

But a Konstantinos Mavropanos own-goal cancelled out the opener and Rogers hauled Villa level at 2-2, before the England midfielder capped a sparkling performance with a superb dipping strike.

Emery added: "For me, the most important thing is how he is working, tactically, offensively and defensively and now he is scoring goals.

"He is always doing his work with huge commitment. He is growing up so quick and performing better because physically, he is strong and his mentality is huge."

Villa have now won 10 of their last 11 Premier League matches, having been winless in their first five, but Rogers is not thinking about the title yet.

The 23-year-old told the BBC: "We’re not looking at that at all. People were talking about relegation before so we are not talking about that.

"It is about being as consistent as possible. At the moment, we are in a great run so let’s see where that takes us."

West Ham led at Bournemouth and Brighton recently, as well as against Villa, but have taken just two points from those three matches and remain in the relegation zone.

Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: "We started very well, the perfect start to take the lead and this is something we are not able to do, control the game when we are in front."

"I wish I could give a proper answer with a proper solution. But it’s happening to us recently. We are in front, we are leading and we are allowing teams to go back in the game.

"Victories are getting away from us. It requires a lot of work on that part. There are a lot of factors, there’s information also. But we should do better."

Before kick-off, the hosts paid an emotional tribute to their former captain, manager and record-appearance holder Billy Bonds, who died two weeks ago.

Ex-Hammers team-mates, including Sir Trevor Brooking and Alvin Martin, were on the pitch while, in front of the stand named after Bonds, hung an image of him lifting the FA Cup.

Nuno added: "This is why we are so disappointed, because it was such an important day for all of us at the club to honour the memory of Billy Bonds.

"It was an emotional moment, it was a proper tribute to Billy Bonds’ memory. It’s sad that we didn’t finish with a win, so we can celebrate."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter