Stalemate at Villa Park as Hammers finish with 10 men

The Monday night clash between Aston Villa and West Ham was not a great match and the teams deservedly shared the points. 

Wesley had the first real chance for the hosts after 13 minutes when Grealish ran down the right, but Wesley headed the cross wide of the goal. Tyron Mings then headed wide of the goal eight minutes later, before Declan Rice then saw his shot deflected wide of the home goal. 

Villa then picked up and were the more likely to score and Fabianski was tested by McGinn from distance before there was a flashpoint nine minutes before the break. West Ham attacked and Tyron Mings was forced to turn a cross wide for a corner. That led to him shouting at the defenders, especially El Ghazi, for not tracking his runner properly. Their heads came together and El Ghazi lightly headbutted his teammate. Fortunately for him, it went unpunished.  That was not the only chance the Hammers had. 

They attacked again before Fabianski clattered into El Ghazi as he came out to punch away before McGinn's shot on the edge of the box was deflected and Fabianski made a great save just before half-time.

After the interval, West Ham had a good spell of possession and Grealish had to make a fabulous diving stop with his ankle to prevent Declan Rice giving the visitors the lead after 56 minutes. El Ghazi then tested Fabianski at the other end before controversy ensued. 

23 minutes from time, Elmohamady, who had just come on, went down as Masuaku went for the ball. Mike Dean did not hesitate in pulling out the second yellow card and Pellegrini's side were reduced to 10 men despite replays showing it was a dive.

 

16 September 2019

Villa then put the pressure on in the last half an hour, and Grealish nearly won it in the 88th minute before they had a penalty shout waved away in injury time when Wesley tumbled to ground in a crowded box, before Tyrone Mings was spared after a risky challenge on Ryan Fredericks as the full-back broke forward at the other end. 

Dean Smith's side move onto four points from five games and are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, while the Hammers are one of six teams in the top half on eight points.