Angelo Ogbonna: Our winning mentality got us the three points


Angelo Ogbonna senses something different about this West Ham United team.

The Italy defender has seen plenty in over six years as a Hammer, and in David Moyes' group he sees a steel and unrelenting desire to win.

Those characteristics came to the fore in Monday night's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, when the men in Claret & Blue took all three points despite being below their best.

The hosts were put under pressure for large periods by the Villans, but goals at the start of each half - from Ogbonna and Jarrod Bowen - proved enough to secure a third straight victory.

Ogbonna, understandably, was delighted.


Angelo Ogbonna scores against Aston Villa


"It was a good result, a good night for us," he said. "Sometimes you play well and don’t get a result, but today we stuck at it, and our winning mentality got us the three points.

"It’s my first goal for nearly a year and I’m so glad. I’m really happy for the team, that we got the three points today.

"Since the manager came in we've had a different point of view. I think it’s perfect.

"We had a bit of luck and sometimes that happens, but it’s not just luck. We fought for the win and I think we deserve it for that."


Angelo Ogbonna and Jarrod Bowen


Ogbonna and his teammates had a nervy wait to confirm their victory when Ollie Watkins had the ball in the back of the net in stoppage time, but a VAR check confirmed the away striker had just strayed offside to get on the end of Jack Grealish's cross.

The former Juventus man also picked out Lukasz Fabianski's second half save from Trezeguet as key to his side maintaining their excellent run of form to climb yet higher in the Premier League table.

"I thought it was offside, and VAR this time helped us," he added. "This is football.

"Lukasz's save was a massive moment too. To be fair I thought it was a foul at the start. We shouldn’t stop, but we did and Trezeguet was a little bit unlucky. He had an open goal, but hit Lukasz. He was very good with his reaction and in the end it's three points and fifth in the table."