Emotional Andriy Yarmolenko made sure to thank the Hammers fans after his brilliant goal against Aston Villa.
The Ukraine international made his return to the team on Sunday as he came off the bench to replace the potentially injured Mikey Antonio, after he sustained what looked like a muscle injury. 
Yarmolenko scored a brilliant goal to give the Hammers a 1-0 lead and a further strike from Pablo Fornals ensured David Moyes’ men took all three points despite a late Villa fight-back.
Yarmo had been given time off due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the country he captains at international level, but he was delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net and has thanked the Irons fanbase for their unwavering support.
Speaking after the game, as per Football.London, he said: “It was so emotional. To be honest, I don’t know what to say. I just want to say thank you to my team-mates, who support me all the time, every day. To West Ham fans, they also support me and Ukrainian people and also to all British people, because we feel you support us. Thank you, really.
“I felt the support from the fans and I tried to give everything on the pitch because I know how important the game was for us today. I’m not ready for 100% because the last two weeks I train maybe three or four times.
“Since 26 February, I had to rest for four days because it was impossible to train, I was just thinking about my family and my people. I just tried to give everything on the pitch.”
Yarmo also admits that he is currently struggling to keep his mind solely on football because of what is happening back home, where Russian troops continue to wage an appalling war on the citizens of Ukraine.
He added: “It was so emotional for me because of the situation in my country. It is so difficult for me right now in this moment thinking about football because every day, the Russian army is killing Ukrainian people.”
