Credit: Imago and Match of the Day

Max Wilkins

Mon 23 March 2026 7:10, UK

Joe Hart has heaped praise on Jadon Sancho as he grabbed another Aston Villa assist in the 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.

The Villans welcomed Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to Villa Park and played out a pretty routine victory for the first time in weeks.

Unai Emery’s side haven’t made things easy for themselves in recent weeks, but were able to make light of the relegation-stricken side.

Goals from John McGinn and Ollie Watkins made the difference, with the skipper’s strike catching the eye in particular in B6.

The Scot got Villa up and running to beat West Ham, but it was Sancho who received special acclaim from Hart post-match.

Jadon Sancho assist analysed vs West Ham

The Manchester United loanee has had his fair share of struggles this season, but has finally started to showcase his quality in the Midlands.

He has now picked up back-to-back assists in two encouraging performances against Lille and the Hammers at Villa Park.

The Englishman set up McGinn in the Europa League and replicated that feat after just 15 minutes in the latest Premier League clash.

Sancho picked up the ball from a short Matty Cash free kick, before playing a perfectly weighted ball into McGinn that left Hart massively impressed on Match of the Day.

He said: “What I love about Jadon Sancho is that he realises that there’s only one person dealing with all three of them on the edge of the box, and that is a great opportunity for a top-class player.

“He gets into Matty Cash’s ear, gives a subtle message to Lucas Digne, ‘I’m going to square this to McGinn here’.

“As it comes in, he ends up playing a beautiful ball to McGinn, and it’s an excellent goal. Sancho sees the picture, rolls it on and plays it perfectly for McGinn, who can’t believe his luck.”

Danny Murphy was in full agreement and piled further praise on the winger, “Do you know what’s great about that? Sancho’s responsibility and creativity in the moment, rather than players doing what they’ve been told by the set-piece coach or manager. It’s, ‘I feel it, I see it.’ I love that kind of creativity.”

Sancho faces an uncertain future at Aston Villa, but these sorts of performances can only do him good moving towards the end of the campaign.

Sancho showed true class for Aston Villa vs West Ham

Another game, another assist for Sancho, but there was more to his performance than that.

The 25-year-old featured across 67 minutes and was able to clock up 34 touches in that time while creating three chances.

That was made easier by his 85 per cent pass accuracy as he also completed all of his dribble attempts on the day.

He also chipped in with two recoveries and one duel victory as he showed that he can do more than just attack in B6.

His tracking back was also on point as he often filled in for Cash and dropped into right back to help halt West Ham on the counter.

Sancho is only getting better, and there is hope that he can showcase his form even more between now and the end of the season.