With equaliser in West Ham-Aston Villa

Super-sub Zaniolo rescues a point for @AVFCOfficial with a 79th minute equalizer! 💥#WHUAVL pic.twitter.com/HmPJ4fW66H

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) March 17, 2024

Nicolo Zaniolo silences London Stadium with an equalizer for Aston Villa! pic.twitter.com/sGif1Dk6XE

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 17, 2024

Italy striker Nicolò Zaniolo scored his second Premier League goal this season and silenced critics in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw against West Ham on Sunday, Lorenzo Bettoni reports for Football Italia.

The Azzurri striker has been struggling with playing time in the second part of the season, but he kept Aston Villa’s top-four hopes alive with a goal against West Ham at minute 79 on Sunday.

The ex-Roma striker was introduced as a substitute from the bench at minute 63 and scored barely 15 minutes later.

He briefly celebrated by putting his finger in front of his lips to silence critics, as fans and the media have heavily criticized him over the last few months.