West Ham United vs Aston Villa. Premier League.
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Report and free match highlights as Aston Villa move three points clear of Tottenham but fail to capitalise on their Champions League rivals' slip; Michail Antonio's first-half opener cancelled out by Nicolo Zaniolo's late equaliser as West Ham see two goals ruled out by VAR
Monday 18 March 2024 06:11, UK
David Moyes was left exasperated after two more tight VAR handball decisions went against West Ham in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The officials spent five minutes checking whether Tomas Soucek's potential winner with the scores at 1-1 should be allowed before referee Jarred Gillett eventually came to the correct decision after going to his monitor, ruling the goal out for handball.
Nicolo Zaniolo's late goal saved Villa from defeat and moved them three points clear of Tottenham despite another lacklustre league performance.
Unai Emery's side can feel aggrieved they were not given a penalty for a handball by Emerson Palmieri with the scores level, but were undeserving of three points as they failed to capitalise on Spurs' slip-up at Fulham.
West Ham led through Michail Antonio, who VAR correctly denied a second goal after the break for handball, and were the better side for most of the game but handed Villa a route back into the game as their levels dropped.
Zaniolo's goal - and the disallowing of Soucek's - could prove crucial in the battle for Europe with Villa's lead over sixth-placed Manchester United up to nine points, having played a game more.
Moyes pointed to more handball decisions not given for his side, against Burnley last weekend and Freiburg in the Europa League 10 days ago.
"I've got nothing to say on VAR, contact Howard [Webb, referees' chief] yourself," Moyes said.
He added: "Burnley last week, Freiburg, and now two today have gone against us. It's hard to take.
"If VAR thinks it's right it must be right. I think football people see things differently. We've had two hit people's arms in the last week and not one went for us."
Both teams were fresh off big victories in Europe on Thursday but it was West Ham who carried that momentum with them into the league as they overpowered Villa in the first half.
Antonio's tireless work out of possession was rewarded with a goal just before the half-hour mark as he stooped down to nod in Vladimir Coufal's cross and give West Ham the lead.
Villa were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty less than 10 minutes earlier when Leon Bailey's cross struck the arm of Palmieri. The VAR Tony Harrington failed to overturn the on-field decision from Gillett despite the defender's arm being out.
It was another half of league football in which Villa disappointed, with Ollie Watkins' strike from an angle after 15 minutes the most they troubled Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal.
Emery made a double change for Villa at half-time, introducing Matty Cash and Moussa Diaby for Clement Lenglet and Jhon Duran, underwhelming on his first league start. The switch failed to deliver the required spark, however, as Villa continued to toil.
They were rescued by VAR soon after the break as Antonio's second goal - from a corner - was ruled out. The West Ham striker had his arms tucked in, but the ball went in off on his elbow, giving the officials no other choice than to chalk it off.
This was a reprieve for Villa who looked vulnerable every time Bowen took an inswinging corner for West Ham.
Moyes had only made one outfield change to his side after the win in midweek and his only change until 84 minutes was to replace Antonio, decisions which appeared to cost West Ham as Villa grew into the game with their opponents tiring.
Villa, who were far from convincing despite West Ham taking their foot off the gas, had to be patient in breaking down the hosts' low block. The breakthrough eventually came from the bench, as Emery made the difference with his changes.
Zaniolo ended a run of 11 games without a goal as he fired in after a cross from fellow substitute Diaby following a rare well-worked move from Villa. The Italian had not scored since December, when his last-gasp goal saved a point against Sheffield United.
Villa's equaliser spurred Moyes into action as he brought on Aaron Cresswell and James Ward-Prowse, whose free-kick would spark the controversial scenes at the end.
Soucek thought he had won it for West Ham five minutes into stoppage time after bundling the ball in from close range, but Villa were insistent that the goal should be disallowed.
It took the officials more than five minutes to come to the same decision, with the VAR team taking a long time to find a conclusive angle. Once they did, it was abundantly clear that Soucek had dragged the ball over with his arm.
West Ham boss David Moyes: "I was pleased with how we performed, I thought the players did a really good job. Villa were the better team for the majority of the second half but we hung in there and got a couple of opportunities to win the game.
"We were disappointed to concede but the players have done a good job."
Asked about the two disallowed goals, he said: "Not for me to say - you may as well ask the VAR why, VAR are the ones deciding, not us. I've not got any answers regarding VAR.
"I thought we played incredibly well today, especially in the first half. We made it difficult for Villa, who improved in the second half. Great credit to the player - we had our big win in midweek, and we've got a point here. But it should have been three points.
On Antonio's performance: "Good to get a goal. That's what we want from him. He does a great job for the team but it is the goals that we want from him."
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery: "We had to change our plan at half-time to get more control than in the first half. We got a few chances and deserved to score, maybe even more.
"We were expecting the decision from VAR for the two goals. It was a completely fair decision. We have to accept the draw.
Asked about slack passing out from the back: "It was a little bit down to frustration. We have to understand and respect the opponent. They have a very good structure and were playing at home.
"They have very good players and when they are connecting with Bowen, Antonio, Kudus and Paqueta they are a very good team.
"In the first half we were trying to recover our positioning and trying to get comfortable - as we did in the second half. When we were connecting with our players we were getting in their box better and being more imposing.
"This draw is completely fair."
West Ham travel to Newcastle in the Premier League after the international break on Saturday March 30. Kick-off 12.30pm.
The West Midlands derby takes place on the same day as Aston Villa host Wolves, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 5.30pm
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