Andriy Yarmolenko in tears after West Ham’s first goal since the invasion of Ukraine

West Ham star Andriy Yarmolenko couldn’t hide his emotions after scoring against Aston Villa on Sunday – his first since Russia invaded his homeland

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Andriy Yarmolenko was in tears after scoring for West Ham against Aston Villa on Sunday Premier League work.

The Ukraine player opened the scoring to help David Moyes’ team break the deadlock before the away team with 20 minutes left in the game.

Yarmolenko is take a few days off from training Hammers charity leave at the end of last month after Russia invade his home country.

The winger has a family in his war-torn homeland and circumstances that have affected him deeply on a personal level.

Yarmolenko captained his country at Euros last summer and he has more than 100 caps for his country, for whom he is the all-time leading goalscorer with 44 goals.

His goal against Villa was the first time he’d found the net since those events began and he couldn’t hide his emotions.

The West Ham Stadium announcer read aloud after the goal: “A goal for West Ham and for Ukraine.”

It was an emotional moment for Yarmolenko, helping the Hammers to a crucial 2-1 home win over Steven Gerrard’s side.

Hammers boss Moyes has previously revealed that the anxious 32-year-old is “really annoyed” by events at home and spends hours a day talking on the phone with his family.

Last week, Yarmolenko called the Russian players who have remained silent about their nation’s invasion of Ukraine.

The West Ham the star continued Instagram to call on the Russian national team players to display some “balloons” and speak out about their country’s bloody invasion.

He said: “I’m Andriy Yarmolenko, a Ukrainian national player. I was born in St. Petersburg but raised in Ukraine and consider myself 100% Ukrainian.

“I have a question for the Russian national team players… Guys, why are you sitting like sh****** and saying nothing?

“In my country, they’re killing people, killing wives, killing our mothers, killing our children. But you don’t say anything. You don’t make any comments.

“Please tell me, what if you all came together, united, to show people what is really happening in my country.

“I know many of you, I know many of you, and you all tell me it shouldn’t be like this. Your president is acting wrong.

“So guys, you guys influence people. Show this! I’m asking you guys, please!

“I know some of you love showing off your balls on camera but now it’s time to show your balls in real life.

“Thank you for your concern. Nice to see Ukraine! ”

Yarmolenko, who has also donated to his country’s armed forces, was also part of a joint video calling on players, fans and coaches to “Objection against Russian propaganda” and “Stop pouring blood.”