BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) Jesse Lingard scored twice on his debut as West Ham beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League on Wednesday to maintain its push for a European place.
Lingard, who joined on loan from Manchester United last week, played his first Premier League game since July but showed no signs of rust with his finishing.
He made it 2-0 in the 56th minute after downing a cross from Michail Antonio on his chest and slotting in a low shot with his left foot from a tough angle. He then made it 3-1 in the 83rd after another assist from Antonio, although Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez probably should have kept out his shot from the right side of the area.