David Moyes hails Said Benrahma after Aston Villa win

West Ham secured their first win of the Premier League season versus Aston Villa 0-1 and after the game David Moyes praised the introduction of Said Benrahma.

The Hammers started the game in a 3-5-2 formation and again looked poor but Moyes subbed on Benrahma at half-time and went to the usual back four, and reaped the rewards.

Pablo Fornals scored the all important goal in an improved second half performance.

West Ham manager David Moyes hailed Said Benrahma for his performance in the club’s first Premier League victory of the campaign.

Speaking after the game the gaffer hailed the introduction of Benrahma for helping to change the game in West Ham’s favour.

He said: “I think he [Benrahma] has had a good start to the season. Sometimes, he can frustrate you, sometimes, he can make the difference. I thought today, he made a big difference for us when he came on.”

That will be music to the Algerian winger’s ears who has been criticised by Moyes before and is regularly substituted in matches he starts in.

There have been rumours that the fan’s favourite could leave West Ham this summer but he has started the season in great form. His display in the loss to Nottingham Forest was fantastic and in the Conference League, Benrahma has scored and assisted one each.

New signings Gianluca Scamacca, Thilo Kehrer and Emerson started against Aston Villa, with Kehrer particularly impressing in a solid defensive performance alongside Kurt Zouma.

But Moyes directed his attention to the players who have been in the squad longer: “There were spells where we started looking like we were back to our old selves.

“Everybody is really impatient wanting to see new players, but you have to trust the manager and that the manager is looking at it and making a decision from close-up as to who is ready and who is not.

“Look, I thought the players put in a brilliant shift.”