Aston Villa kicked off their Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over West Ham, thanks to a late goal from Jhon Duran, a player the Hammers had sought to sign all summer. Duran's goal came just 11 minutes from time, marking a bittersweet moment for West Ham's new boss, Julen Lopetegui, who had opted for Germany's Niclas Fullkrug instead. Villa opened the scoring early with a header from Amadou Onana, but Lucas Paqueta equalized for West Ham with a penalty. Despite several chances for both teams, Villa managed to secure the win, showcasing their attacking prowess and better cohesion compared to West Ham's new signings. The match highlighted the struggles of West Ham's revamped squad, which had experienced a busy transfer window. Ultimately, Duran's performance not only secured the win for Villa but also served as a reminder of what West Ham missed out on during the transfer negotiations.