West Ham United finished ninth last season, which is quite a good ranking in the last two seasons.

Last season, West Ham United won 14, drew 9 and lost 15, scored 42 goals and conceded 45 goals, which can be said to be quite good, you know, last season was Zola's first season in charge of West Ham United, the Italian who won the respect of fans and the media when he was a player, made his coaching debut, and performed well.

West Ham United's home and away results are relatively evenly matched compared to several other teams in the same table, which is rare among mid-table teams in the Premier League.

Zola's side didn't play too well on both ends of the floor, but they didn't make too many mistakes.

However, West Ham have conceded too many goals and a negative goal difference, which also shows that this team has been inconsistent defensively.

In the transfer market, West Ham United have also basically completed their recruitment, they have brought in Italian fringe international Diamanti from Serie A Livorno, Gimenez on loan from Inter Milan, plus Carlton. Cole, West Ham United's attacking side is still quite strong.

Carlton Cole, in particular, was West Ham's top scorer with 10 goals in 26 league starts last season.

The 25-year-old England striker is now on the rise, and there have been rumours of England manager Fabio Capello scouting Carlton Cole.

……

The home team's starting line-up for today's game was shown on the TV screen.

West Ham United:

Goalkeeper 1 - Green;

Backline: 20-Forber, 30-Tomkins, 15-Upson, 23-Ilenga;

Midfielders: 21-Behrami, 16-Mark. Noble, 8-Scott. Parker;

Forwards: 32-Diamanti, 41-Gimenez, 12-Carlton Cole;

"This starting line-up is really in line with Zola's football philosophy." John. Mortenson said.

"It's hard to imagine an Italian who has an attack in his bones." John. Mortenson also said with a smile.

Gianfranco Zola said when he was in charge of West Ham United last year that his football philosophy is to keep attacking, attacking, attacking, attacking all the time.

The English press commented that Zola had entered Upton Park with plaques of "Sexy Football", "Perfectionism" and "Romanticism".

In the away team's coach's box, Fang Jue was also chatting with his assistants.

'Gianfranco Zola is a big admirer of Arsene Wenger. Assistant Coach Steve. "He says his goal is to lead West Ham to play Arsenal-like football. ”

"Very good, I like such opponents." Fang Jue said with a smile.

He was genuinely happy to see West Ham have a front three in their starting line-up and his smile was always on his face.

Just took over Aston Villa, the team is still kneading, the biggest shortcoming of Aston Villa is at the offensive end, if the opponent shrinks the defense, Aston Villa's offensive ability is really not strong, and there are not many ways.

However, if the opponent tries to press out and attack, Aston Villa's defensive counter-attack will teach the opponent how to behave.

"Our defensive ......" Fang Jue is in a good mood, so he has to say that he is very comfortable with defense, and it depends on the play on the offensive end.

But it was Ceballos who interjected.

"There's no problem defending, don't worry." Ceballos said confidently.

"Don't be too conceited." Fang Jue said.

……

In this game, the biggest change for Aston Villa compared to the first round of the league against Wigan Athletic was in the midfield.

Fang Jue arranged for Deisler to start.

Clement played as a lone midfielder, with Petrov on the bench.

Ashley Young on the left and Milner on the right.

Up front, it's the duo of Husky and Abonlahoh.

Such a starting lineup, compared with the first round of the league, enhances the ability to attack and counterattack.

In the face of West Ham United's 'big colander', Fang Jue naturally didn't mind showing off Aston Villana's not too strong attacking ability.

However, Fang Jue didn't expect West Ham United's luck to be so good and score quickly.

It was the fifteenth minute of the first half, when West Ham were awarded a set-piece in front of him, Noble drove the ball into the box, and Carlton. Cole heads in the ball.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Friedel made a good save on the ball and Diamanti squeezed away Lukyan to make the tackle.

One to zero.

West Ham United lead Aston Villa 1-0 at home.

Upton Park was a sea of joy.

"Diamanti! It was the Italian player's maiden goal for West Ham. Lineker said, "Lukjan was noticeably slower to react and watched as the Italian scored the goal. ”

Fang Jue waved his arm angrily on the sidelines, and this lost ball made him very unhappy.

He glanced at Ceballos, the conscientious assistant was also flushed, he had just boasted that there was no problem with the defense, and then he was slapped in the face so quickly.

Then, thinking that Fang Jue had expressed his concern about defense before, Ceballos admired Fang Jue even more, no wonder the other party was the head coach and he could only be an assistant coach.

That's the gap.

……

Some teams, after taking the lead, will shrink their defence, showing relative conservativeness and caution.

Some teams, after scoring early, tend to be more frantic and aggressive.

Clearly, Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United fall into the latter category.

Diamanti's goal made Gianfranco Zola very excited, and the Italian compatriots gave him a face-saving experience, and also gave him hope of a big win at home.

Zola has been on the sidelines since the goal, constantly waving his arms forward and encouraging his team to attack.

It was a West Ham attack.

Scott. Parker passes forward, Carlton. Cole's header back.

Gimenez was about to catch up with the ball and the ball was lost to Wilfred. Bouma preemptively poked it first.

After the football was kicked away, it was West Ham defender Fabele who got the ball from the wing, who was about to cross, but was entangled by Milner and couldn't get out for a while.

Clement then rushed up and joined forces with Milner to cut off the ball at Forbel's feet in front and back.

Fang Jue's ass immediately left his seat, and he strode to the sidelines, staring nervously at the field.

This is an opportunity to fight back.

This is a great opportunity for Aston Villa to wait a long time!

After Clement broke the ball, he looked up at the front, and instead of choosing to dribble the ball himself, he passed the ball straight forward.

To the surprise of many, Ashley Young, who should have been in that position, was desperately pushing forward, and Milner, who was teaming up with Clement to break the ball, was also desperately running forward.

It was Deisler who caught the ball in retreat.

He pulled the ball and turned around and looked up ahead.

If you have a bird's-eye view from the air, you can see that Deisler is on the ball, two West Ham players are closing on him, and up front, Ashley Young is running on the left, Milner is sprinting on the right, Abonlaho is running in the middle and Husky is running, although he slows down slightly.

Without Reus, without Mata, without Robert Lewandowski, without Pierre-Emerick and Modric, Fang Jue temporarily created a simplified version of 'Fang's counterattack' during the initial stage of Aston Villa.

He also had Deisler.