West Ham 2 Aston Villa 1: Ukrainian West Ham star Yarmolenko scores in first game since Russian invasion

ANDRIY YARMOLENKO broke down in tears after scoring on his return to first-team action for West Ham in the 2-1 win against Aston Villa.

The Ukraine superstar was given compassionate leave after Russia invaded his homeland and hasn't featured since February 5 against Kidderminster.





Yarmolenko travelled to Poland to collect his wife and one of his children after they fled the war zone.

The Hammers No7 made an impact from the substitutes bench after Michail Antonio was forced off through injury.

Yarmolenko was found by team-mate Said Benrahma inside the penalty area and the winger brought the ball under his spell and poked it past Emiliano Martinez.

The goal moved hearts and lifted spirits inside the London Stadium and West Ham got a second to kill the game off.

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Relieved Yarmolenko to collect family in Poland after they escaped Ukraine war

Benrahma was picked out by Hammers captain Declan Rice after a marauding ru.

The Algerian played a delicate pass towards the penalty spot and Pablo Fornals made no mistake with the finish.

Villa pulled a late goal back through Jacob Ramsey but they ran out of time to find an equaliser.

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