18.04.2009
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Villa Park
Saturday 18 April
3pm
Referee: Rob Styles
Final score - Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United
Full time. A superb away-day point for West Ham and it is thoroughly
deserved by the number of chances they created.
90 min - Upson gets booked for a late tackle on Young. This is a frantic
finale as first Villa nearly score through Carew and then West Ham get
another corner.
90 min - It is all West Ham now as Savio fires a shot in that goes just
wide. Moments later a Savio cross is deflected behind for a corner. Can West
Ham sneak a winner.
88 min -The West Ham fans are enjoying this and it looks like the players
are now too. Noble so nearly wins the game with a deflected shot that
Friedel has to help over the bar.
85 min - GOAL! And the change pays off! Sears wins a corner. It is cleared
to Dyer, he shoots and then Tristan gets his head to the ball to flick it
past Friedel. West Ham have deserved that based on the chances they have
created.
81 min - West Ham make their final change as Freddie Sears comes on for Di
Michele. Villa also swap things round as Milner leaves the pitch for Craig
Gardner.
80 min - So close! An almighty scramble in the box involving Di Michele,
Tristan and then finally Boa Morte somehow does not end up with the ball in
the back of the net. Friedel must take credit for a brave save from the feet
of the West Ham No13.
78 min - A great chance for Villa to double their lead as Carew heads over
when completely unmarked. Can the Hammers make him pay by getting an
equaliser?
76 min - Savio gets involved in the action straight away with shot that
flies well wide. The home support among the 39,534 in Villa Park respond
with the customary cheers.
74 min - Zola makes his second change of the afternoon with Savio replacing
Stanislas.
71 min - Villa make their first change of the afternoon when Heskey comes
off for Nathan Delfouneso.
67 min - This half is certainly not quite as action-packed as the first was
and Villa put a rare chance wide of the goal. Good work from Luke Young sees
him cross for Carew, he puts his shot wide.
65 min - Petrov goes into the book for a late tackle on Noble. The West Ham
No16 does not like the challenge and lets him know in no uncertain terms.
61 min - The supporters sitting on the far stand must wait a little longer
in their hunt for an equaliser, though, as Noble's corner is headed clear.
60 min - The West Ham fans are still in good voice as a rendition of Bubbles
echoes around Villa Park. Thier side have just won a corner.
56 min - Villa have had a couple of injury concerns in the last few minutes.
First, Young was hobbling and then Curtis Davies felt the full force of a
Noble shot that went straight at his head. Both appear to be ok now, though.
54 min - The West Ham fans are in great voice and have been singing 'We are
West Ham's claret and blue army' non-stop since half time. Great effort from
the away support.
50 min - Both were cleared well without a shot coming in on goal and West
Ham are looking to get back into the game as Dyer gets close to getting on
the end of chipped pass from Noble.
48 min - Villa have come out of blocks flying in the second half and have
just won their second corner in the space of a few minutes.
46 min - We're underway in the second half. A few Villa fans make
light-hearted appeal for a penalty as Upson and Carew tangle in the area.
Half time. Mr Styles blows his whistle and the players go in. It has been an
action-packed opening half here at Villa Park. Zola's side will be
frustrated that they are behind after several good chances have gone
begging, but the good thing is that they are causing their hosts problems at
the back.
45 min - The Hammers will have to defend a corner before they can go in for
their half-time drinks.
45 min - Young goes into the book after what can only be described as
handbags with Neill. There will be two minutes of added time at the end of
this half.
43 min - Now it is Di Michele's turn to try his luck. The Italian linked up
well with Diego Tristan, before turning one way and then the other and
unleashing a shot straight into the arms of Friedel.
41 min - Stanislas has another great chance to get his second goal for the
club. Ilunga's cross from the left found the midfielder in space but he put
his header well wide.
38 min - Boa Morte is booked for going down a bit too easily for Mr Styles'
liking. However, replays suggest there may have been some contact.
36 min - This is Dyer's first appearance in the first half of a Premier
League game since 25 August 2007. He has gone into central midfield with
Neill moving to full-back.
34 min - Stanislas, who has looked dangerous so far, races forward and hits
a powerful, rising drive that just goes over. Better from West Ham.
33 min - He is and he leaves the field to be replaced by the West Ham No32.
32 min - Kieron Dyer is being prepared on the touchline as it looks like
Collins is struggling.
27 min - Another good burst from Young sees him go past Tomkins and shoot
straight at Green. Seconds later Noble's back-pass is intercepted by Heskey
and he prods the ball towards goal. Thankfully, it hits the post and bounces
clear. A real let off for West Ham and Noble there.
24 min - Brilliant tackle by Boa Morte on Barry in the penalty area. It is
backs to the wall time for West Ham at the moment.
23 min - The initial free-kick is straight into the wall but the ball come
back to him and his second effort is much better, missing Green's goal by a
matter of inches.
22 min - More danger for the Hammers as Villa have a free-kick right on the
edge of the area.
20 min - Mark Noble goes into the book after Rob Styles rules his sliding
tackle on Stiliyan Petrov was worthy of a yellow card.
18 min - Villa have a corner as Herita Ilunga flicks a Milner shot over the
bar. Tomkins' brave header clears the danger, albeit temporarily as he
concedes another flag kick. Young whips it in again, but it manages to miss
everyone in the area.
17 min - This really is end to end stuff as Green has to make a reaction
save at his near post to keep out Milner's effort.
15 min - More good football from the visitors nearly gets them level. Di
Michele breaks into the area and a smart save from Friedel sees the ball
bounce back to Tomkins with a clear sight of goal. Sadly, his shot sails
just over the bar.
13 min - Obviously not the start Zola's side would have wanted but they do
not seem to have let the goal affect them too much. Boa Morte has just
flashed a shot a few yards wide of the Villa goal.
11 min - GOAL! The home side go one better as they take the lead after a
quick counter attack. James Milner ran onto a through pass and rolled the
ball along the floor to Heskey, who made no mistake from eight yards.
10 min - It is Villa's turn to almost take the lead as a ball in fron Barry
is headed just wide by Emile Heskey.
8 min - Tomkins passes his first Young-related test as he reads the winger's
run perfectly to slide in and tackle him.
7 min - Noble swings the corner in, Friedel palms it away and Di Michele's
attempted follow up is blocked.
5 min - After that frantic start the game has settled now, with West Ham
seeing more of the ball. Just as I write that a clever through ball from
Luis Boa Morte put Stanislas in space in the area and only a last-ditch
tackle stops him getting another shot in.
2 min - So close to the perfect start. Junior Stanislas goes on a storming
run and the Villa defence parts in front of him. He gets a shot in and the
ball looks like it's going in, only to bounce wide via the slightest of
touches from Friedel. Great start from the Hammers.
1 min - We're off at last!
3.01pm - Here they come. Villa's third kit doesn't have a sponsor's logo on
it.
2.59pm - Still no sign of the two teams...
2.56pm - The two teams are in the tunnel ahead of the big kick-off. Can West
Ham secure the victory that strengthens their grip on seventh place?
2.54pm - It is three years ago this week that West Ham beat Middlesbrough
1-0 at Villa Park to secure their passage to the FA Cup final.
2.52pm - It's been confirmed over the tannoy. Villa will play in their
all-white third kit.
2.50pm - Junior Stanislas is wearing some bright orange boots. Very
fetching. On the subject of clothing, there are whispers in the press box
that Villa may be wearing their third kit as their home kit clashes with
West Ham's light blue away strip. Not sure about that one, but we'll see.
Villa's players are wearing yellow t-shirts during their warm-up, so I'm not
sure which kit they will be turning out in. Only time, as they say, will
tell.
2.45pm - Perhaps it is a good thing for the Hammers that Steve Sidwell is
only on the bench for Villa. He has scored the fastest goal in the Premier
League this season, netting after just 31 seconds against Everton at
Goodison Park in December. Sidwell is joined among the Villa substitutes by
Nigel Reo-Coker, who made 142 appearances for West Ham, scoring ten goals.
Villa's other former West Ham player, Marlon Harewood, is on loan at
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will be promoted to the Premier League if they
beat QPR this afternoon.
2.40pm - James Tomkins will continue at right-back this afternoon. The
20-year-old has been a revelation since coming into the team for the injured
James Collins at Bolton Wanderers. Since his arrival, West Ham have conceded
just two goals in six matches. Tomkins had an assured game against Croatian
playmaker Luka Modric last weekend, but Ashley Young will provide the
youngster with another testing afternoon.
2.35pm - West Ham United's players are out on the pitch at a sunny but
blustery Villa Park. It's a bit chilly in the Midlands, but this is set to
be a red hot game between two of the Premier League's top-seven. Villa have
not won in ten games in all competitions, while the Hammers will be eager to
bounce straight back after losing at Spurs last Saturday. A large number of
visiting fans have congregated behind the advertising boards to watch their
heroes being put through their paces by fitness coach Antonio Pintus.
Gianfranco Zola named an unchanged team from the West Ham United side that
went down to a narrow 1-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur a week
ago. Academy product Zavon Hines was on the substitutes' bench in the
top-flight for the first time ever.
The 20-year-old striker scored on his only previous first team appearance
this season in the 4-1 Carling Cup second round win over Macclesfield Town.
Radoslav Kovac failed to overcome a thigh injury in time to play at Villa
Park, while reserve team captain Bondz N'Gala dropped out of the squad.
Iceland Under-21 defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, 18, travelled with the
first team squad for the first time, as did Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper
Peter Kurucz.
Matthew Upson celebrates his 30th birthday today by making his 71st
competitive appearance for the club.
Former West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker was named among the substitutes by
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
A win this afternoon would take the Hammers to within five points of
sixth-placed Everton, who are in FA Cup semi-final action against Manchester
United on Sunday afternoon, and within six points of Villa in fifth.
However, West Ham have lost on their last two visits to Villa Park and know
they face a stern test in the shape of O'Neill's side.
Aston Villa: Friedel, L.Young, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner (Gardner 81),
Barry, Petrov, A.Young, Carew, Heskey (Delfouneso 71)
Subs: Guzan, Knight, Salifou, Sidwell, Reo-Coker,
West Ham United: Green, Tomkins, Collins (Dyer 33), Upson, Ilunga, Boa
Morte, Neill, Noble, Stanislas (Savio 74), Di Michele (Sears 81), Tristan
Subs: Lastuvka, Lopez, Payne, Hines
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Heads up Tristan
WHUFC.com
Diego Tristan's sublime late header saw West Ham United grab a deserved draw
at Aston Villa on Saturday
18.04.2009
Diego Tristan's superlative 85th-minute header grabbed West Ham United a
thoroughly deserved 1-1 Premier League draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Spaniard craned his neck expertly to divert Kieron Dyer's volley past
Brad Friedel and into the top-left hand corner of the net. Until that
moment, it had appeared that Emile Heskey's eleventh-minute strike would
condemn the Hammers to their second 1-0 away defeat in the space of eight
days following last week's narrow reverse at Tottenham Hotspur.
However, that was without taking into consideration the skill of 33-year-old
Tristan, who joined the Hammers on a free transfer in October. Saturday's
draw at a sunny yet blustery Villa Park saw West Ham maintain their
challenge for seventh place and a spot in next season's UEFA Europa League.
Gianfranco Zola, who named an unchanged side from the lineup at White Hart
Lane a week previously, will have been delighted with the heart shown by his
players after falling behind early on. Indeed, only the inspirational
performance of home goalkeeper Brad Friedel stood between the Hammers and
victory in the Midlands.
The first half was a thrill-a-minute affair, with Friedel keeping West Ham
off the scoresheet almost single-handedly. Junior Stanislas and David Di
Michele were both denied by the big American, who was making his
record-breaking 185th consecutive Premier League start.
The lively Stanislas could have put the visitors ahead within two minutes,
taking advantage of Tristan's clever dummy run to streak through the middle
of the Villa back-four, only for Friedel to block his shot behind with his
right shoulder.
Five minutes later and the Hammers threatened again with smart build-up play
from Di Michele and Luis Boa Morte freeing Stanislas inside the penalty
area, only for James Milner to deny the England Under-20 winger with a fine
last-ditch tackle.
Having survived two early scares, Villa went on the offensive themselves and
Gareth Barry came within inches of putting the home side ahead, only for his
header from Nicky Shorey's left-wing cross to fly narrowly wide on ten
minutes.
It was only 60 seconds later that Martin O'Neill's side were ahead, however.
Barry's superb run took him clear of the Hammers' back-four. The England
midfielder found Milner wide on the right and when the winger crossed into
the danger zone, Heskey was on hand to sweep the ball past Robert Green from
close-range.
Having fallen behind, West Ham refused to be bowed and came within a whisker
of equalising on the quarter-hour mark, only for Friedel to thwart them yet
again. This time it was Di Michele who was denied, the goalkeeper blocking
his shot bravely following a buccaneering run from right-back James Tomkins,
who volleyed his follow-up shot a yard over.
Just moments later, the action switched to the other end, where Green had to
be alert to turn Milner's snap-shot around the post. From the resulting
Barry corner, giant Norwegian John Carew - a scorer against the Hammers on
his home debut for Villa two seasons ago - headed over from eight yards.
Having seen Mark Noble booked for a foul on Stiliyan Petrov, Boa Morte was
adjudged to have unfairly challenged Ashley Young 25 yards from goal. The
former Watford winger took the free-kick himself, hitting the wall with his
original effort before lashing a left-foot shot that clipped the outside of
the post on its way wide.
Villa hit the woodwork again on 27 minutes when Heskey latched on to Noble's
misplaced backpass and poked his shot past Green and on to the inside of the
far post before James Collins hacked the ball clear. A short time later,
Milner glanced a header narrowly wide from Shorey's cross.
West Ham suffered a further blow on 33 minutes when the injured Collins was
replaced by Dyer, who appeared during the first half of a Premier League
game for the first time since the home game against Wigan Athletic on 25
August 2007. Captain Lucas Neill moved to right-back, with Tomkins moving to
the centre of the defence alongside Matthew Upson.
There was no let-up in the action as the half drew to a close, with Boa
Morte being harshly booked for diving as he drove into the Villa penalty
area. Replays appeared to show the Portuguese had tripped over his own feet,
rather than tried to con referee Rob Styles. Ashley Young also found his way
into Styles' notebook following a clash with Neill.
West Ham ended a pulsating opening 45 minutes as they had started it - on
the attack. First, Stanislas headed wide following superb build-up play from
Di Michele and Tristan, then the Italian worked Friedel with a low curling
shot.
It was the home side who produced the better football immediately after the
break, with Green having to react quickly and bravely to save at the feet of
Heskey just 90 seconds into the second period.
Ashley Young and Carew also fired efforts narrowly wide as Villa looked to
double their advantage, while Stanislas, Dyer and Noble worked tirelessly in
an attempt to create an equaliser. Meanwhile, Petrov became the fourth
player to be booked for a late lunge on Noble on 64 minutes.
O'Neill made his first change with 19 minutes remaining, replacing
goalscorer Heskey - just back from the hamstring injury he suffered in
England's 4-0 win over Slovakia on 28 March - with England Under-19 striker
Nathan Delfouneso. Zola responded by bringing on Germany Under-20 forward
Savio for Stanislas.
The change nearly paid dividends eleven minutes from time, only for Friedel
to produce another heroic save to deny Boa Morte, who latched on to the
loose ball after Noble's goalbound shot had hit the unfortunate Di Michele.
Zola flung on Freddie Sears for the on-loan Torino man on 81 minutes, while
O'Neill replaced Milner with Craig Gardner.
West Ham refused to give up their search for an equaliser and their
persistence was rewarded with just five minutes remaining. Noble's corner
was half-cleared to Dyer and when the England forward volleyed goalwards,
Tristan showed supreme technique and awareness to divert the ball past the
previously unbeatable Friedel.
Even then, there was still time for Noble to come within inches of stealing
an unlikely victory for the visitors, only for the big American to tip his
deflected shot over the top.
The final whistle was blown by Styles shortly afterwards to end a breathless
match. West Ham's point keeps them in seventh position and on course for a
place in Europe ahead of next week's visit of UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists and FA Cup finalists Chelsea to the Boleyn Ground.
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Zola hails his squad
WHUFC.com
The manager was rightly delighted with the way his team secured a 1-1 draw
at fifth-placed Aston Villa
18.04.2009
Gianfranco Zola hailed his team's fighting spirit after they returned from
Villa Park with a superb point to go with the ones already achieved at
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea this season.
Although fifth-placed Aston Villa took a deserved early lead through Emile
Heskey's eleventh-minute strike, Zola knew his depleted squad would keep
going to get the equaliser. It came through an instinctive 85th-minute
header from Diego Tristan and, in the end, the lively Hammers ended up
coming close to a famous away win that would have really consolidated their
hold on seventh place.
As it was, it finished 1-1 and all agreed the match was a thrilling contest
that perhaps only lacked some better finishing from both sides. "It was a
pity [there were not more goals] because everything else was on the pitch,"
Zola said. "It was a very good display of football. It was very enjoyable
and the only thing missing was a few more goals. It was an exciting game.
"Everybody can be satisfied with the game, especially us. We can say that we
totally deserved a point and if we had won the game no one could have said
anything about that either. It was a hell of a game. Both teams tried to win
the game so this result is fine."
Despite the absence of potentially a first-choice midfield of Radoslav
Kovac, Scott Parker, Valon Behrami and Jack Collison and strike duo of
Carlton Cole and Dean Ashton, those that played showed again just why West
Ham are riding high with five games to play. Senior figures like Robert
Green, Matthew Upson and Luis Boa Morte, combined superbly with the lively
James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas to more than match a strong Villa side.
"My team dug in under pressure. It keeps happening. We had to take out James
Collins [in the first half] because of a problem with his calf but it has
been like this since the beginning," the manager added, before saying he
actually saw such situations as positives rather than negatives."I like this
because the team never lets itself down. They always fight against
everything that comes against them. I am delighted about their attitude. "
With Chelsea next up at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, the manager also sees
no reason why the team cannot produce another positive display. "We fight to
the end. They just need to play and keep the same attitude no matter what
comes in front of us. We always have to give 100 per cent and that has been
the spirit, the trademark of this team."
Zola also reiterated his commitment to West Ham United and confirmed a deal
to extend his and his backroom staff's tenure in east London was close - a
clear sign that he is more than positive about the club's long-term future.
"The club is looking after us. We are talking about [a contract] and it is
looking good so maybe in the next few weeks it will happen.
"It is good, the club has been very good to us and we appreciate that. I
believe the club is going to improve and there will be stability. The
situation will be better, but we have been through everything this year so
we are not scared of anything."
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Gala evening in May
WHUFC.com
Individual tables for the prestigious end of season dinner have been
released
15.04.2009
A limited number of tables have been released for the club's first end of
season Gala Evening.
The event takes place on 12 May to mark the launch of 'The Vantis Hammer of
the Year award 2008/09' and includes tributes to previous winners and the
continued success of the West Ham United Academy. The 2008/09 winner will be
announced on the pitch after the final home game of the season with details
to come via whufc.com of how to vote.
Star guests on the night will include Gianfranco Zola and members of the
first-team squad as well as a number of West Ham United legends. The
evening's host is TV comedian Phill Jupitus, with special guest John Motson
also in attendance.
Guests will be treated to a three-course dinner, followed by musical
entertainment from the cast of the award-winning West End play 'Rat Pack'.
The event takes place at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD and
a limited number of tables are now available for individuals to purchase at
a cost of £250 per person.
For bookings please contact the ticket office on 0871 222 2700 and select
option 3.
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Abseil for the Bobby Moore fund
WHUFC.com
Fans can take part in a charity abseil to raise money for the Bobby Moore
Fund for Cancer Research UK
18.04.2009
Brave supporters can raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK by abseiling 200ft down the Bobby Moore Stand at the Boleyn
Ground.
The event, which will take place on Sunday 7 June and is open to over 18s
only, will give fans the chance to test their fear of heights and also help
the fight against bowel cancer.
Registration costs £25 per person, while those taking part will need to
raise a minimum of £200 for the charity, which was set up in memory of the
West Ham United and England legend following his death in 1993.
For further information, contact the organisers at abseil@crukcity.org.uk
To register to take part, call 08701 602040
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Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
By Sam Lyon
BBC.co.uk
Diego Tristan popped up five minutes from full-time to grab only his second
goal in a West Ham shirt and snatch a barely deserved point at Aston Villa.
Emile Heskey's early goal, bundled in after good work by James Milner, had
looked like settling an absorbing tie. But Tristan flicked in Kieron Dyer's
wayward shot late on to save West Ham. It left Villa to rue their profligacy
after they had failed to turn dominance into goals, Heskey and Ashley Young
going closest when they hit the post. And home supporters will also point to
referee Rob Styles's failure to give a penalty at the death when James
Tomkins appeared to clearly handle in the box under pressure from John
Carew. The result leaves Aston Villa without a win in eight Premier League
matches and their remote hopes of securing fourth spot and Champions League
football in tatters. And although the last-gasp nature of the draw will
please Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, a point does little to pull West Ham
clear of their rivals for seventh place in the league and the resulting
qualification to the rebranded Europa League that comes with it. It could
have all been different, though, had Junior Stanislas made the most of two
early chances for the Hammers. First the youngster burst through a staid
Villa backline to leave himself with only Brad Friedel to beat, only for the
keeper to deflect his effort wide, and then the midfielder was denied by a
desperate saving tackle from Milner when clear in the box moments later.
However, a David di Michele clipped effort aside, the rest of the half was
dominated by a home side finally getting back into their stride after a
crippling dip in form in recent weeks. Gareth Barry had already gone close
with a glancing header when Heskey - on his return to the side after a
hamstring injury - bundled in Milner's cross from close range for the
opener, and Villa kept knocking at the door thereafter. Milner saw his
goalbound long-ranger deflected wide, Ashley Young clipped the outside of
the post with a left-footed shot from 20 yards and Heskey then struck the
upright again when he lifted Mark Noble's woeful backpass over Robert Green
on to the post.
A measure of Villa's dominance could be drawn from Hammers boss Zola's
decision to replace defender James Collins with Dyer on the half hour and
reshuffle his side, with Lucas Neill dropping back to right back and Tomkins
coming inside. Not that it put the hosts off their stride, and West Ham were
again grateful to Green for keeping them in it after the break, the keeper
denying Heskey from point-blank range after Carew's scooped pass had set his
strike partner clear. Still, with only a goal in the game, West Ham were
never out of it and as a second half far tamer than the first drifted
towards the final whistle, the Londoners slowly got back in the game.
Noble was the Hammers' driving force, and he came close to finding the
equaliser when his 12-yard shot was blocked, sparking a goalmouth scramble
that ended with Friedel desperately collecting under pressure from Luis Boa
Morte. It looked like the Londoners' rally would come to nothing, though,
until Tristan expertly steered home from close range from a Dyer shot that
looked to be flying wide. And the Hammers almost grabbed a winner when
Noble's deflected effort was desperately tipped over from almost under his
own bar by Friedel. There was still time for a huge slice of controversy,
though, as Villa earnestly appealed for a penalty when Tomkins clearly
handled, but referee Styles was unmoved and the match ended all square.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: "It definitely feels like two points
dropped. We created so many chances but the ball just wouldn't fall for us.
"We gave everything we possibly could but at 1-0 West Ham were always in it
and they've snatched a point in the end. We've played well, provided plenty
of entertainment, but at the end of the day it's a results business and we
suffered for not converting our chances. "It came down to the fact we
couldn't get that elusive second goal. However, the Tomkins handball at the
end was a clear, clear penalty and that would have given us a valuable three
points. "The games are running out now so this is clearly a bad blow in our
bid to reach that fourth spot."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola: "I'm delighted with a point. It was a very
entertaining game and there were chances at both ends. "We had a couple of
chances, and conceded a lot of chances too, but it was that sort of game -
wonderful. "We are down to our bare bones - much like a lot of this season -
but I don't complain. At the end of the day perhaps I should be happy with a
point."
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner (Gardner
81), Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Heskey (Delfouneso 71), Carew.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Knight, Salifou, Reo-Coker.
Booked: Ashley Young, Petrov.
Goals: Heskey 11.
West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Collins (Dyer 33), Ilunga, Neill, Boa
Morte, Stanislas (Nsereko 74), Noble, Di Michele (Sears 81), Tristan.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Payne, Hines.
Booked: Noble, Boa Morte, Upson.
Goals: Tristan 85.
Att: 39,534
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Aston Villa's Brad Friedel 7.65 (on
90 minutes).
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Aston Villa 1 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th April 2009
By: Staff Writer
Diego Tristan rolled back the clock with a to snatch a point for the Hammers
at Villa Park this afternoon.
The veteran striker, who had been virtually anonymous up until that point
showed all of his guile and experience to cleverly deflect a Kieron Dyer
effort into the back of the Villa net with just five minutes of normal time
remaining to earn a vital point for United in their push for Europe.
The point - massive to the Hammers in the circumstances - ensures Gianfranco
Zola's side remain in seventh spot in the Premier League for another week at
least with just five games of the season left to play.
With Fulham only managing a goalless draw at Middlesbrough (and Tottenham
and Wigan, both four points behind United, playing tomorrow) West Ham's push
for Europe remains very much on course.
Given that Chelsea are next up for Zola's side it was imperative that they
took something from today's game - and despite being under the cosh for long
periods they duly delivered, albeit somewhat fortuitously.
Villa - who were somewhat unusually forced to wear their away kit after it
was ruled that West Ham's sky blue away kit clashed with Villa's claret and
blue, leading to a five-minute kick-off delay - had taken an early lead
against the run of play when Emile Heskey pounced to convert a James Milner
cross from the edge of the six-yard box after just 11 minutes.
The England striker could have put the game beyond the Hammers later in the
half when he reacted first to a poor Mark Noble backpass but his effort
rebounded off Rob Green's near post to safety; a costly miss for the former
Wigan striker in retrospect.
At the other end Junior Stanislas and David Di Michele were both expertly
denied by Brad Friedel when through one-on-one (third and fourteenth minute
respectively) and the Hammers went into the break after an enjoyable yet
ultimately frustrating opening 45 minutes a goal behind.
Villa, mindful perhaps that their last clean sheet came two months ago - and
without a home win since January 10th - pushed on for a second goal
immediately and their efforts almost proved dividends just 90 seconds after
the restart when a clever lob from John Carew put Heskey through on goal.
Fortunately for the Hammers Green was more alert than those in front of him
and stood up to deny Heskey.
The home side continued to push on and seemed to have control of the game up
until the final 15 minutes when United, boosted by the arrival of Savio and
Freddie Sears (replacing Stanislas and Di Michele) began to hit back in
search of a late equaliser.
A melee inside the Villa box on 80 minutes almost led to a United goal but
Friedel was on hand again to deny Louis Boa Morte, to whom the ball fell
last after the Hammers had tried to engineer a viable opening.
But that save was merely denying the inevitable and the Hammers earner their
reward for their late push - and Villa their punishment for their failure to
turn possession into goals - when Tristan, invisible until that point rose
to deflect Dyer's effort home with just five minutes of normal time
remaining.
Villa -shellshocked by the goal - were all at seas for the few minutes
following Tristan's goal; Freidel was again on hand to divert a looping shot
over the bar whilst Savio fired an effort inches wide of Villa's far post
with the game about to enter injury time.
The game ended in slight controversy after Villa were denied a penalty shout
when a long hopeful punt into United's penalty box rebounded off the arm of
James Tomkins, chasing back alongside Villa's Carew.
TV replays confirmed that the ball had indeed struck the young defender's
arm - however that was only after Carew himself had handled the ball,
meaning Rob Styles' decision to wave play on was probably the correct one.
The point takes West Ham to 45 for the season with five games - Chelsea (h),
Stoke (a), Liverpool (h), Everton (a) and Middlesbrough (h) - left to play.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Villa denied winning return
Late Tristan equaliser cancels out Heskey's first-half opener
Last updated: 18th April 2009
SSN
Man of the match: Brad Friedel. Despite West Ham coming from behind late on
to pinch a point, the Aston Villa goalkeeper had performed heroics to ensure
his side led until the closing stages.
Save of the match: Take your pick from Friedel's antics. The shot-stopper's
block when one-one-one with Junior Stanislas in the early stages was
probably the best.
Goal of the game: Diego Tristan's late equaliser. Kieron Dyer's effort was
going wide, but Spanish veteran Tristan showed all his experience to deflect
towards goal.
Talking point: Is Villa's quest for a place in the UEFA Champions League
over? Are Martin O'Neill's side guaranteed a top-seven finish? Can West Ham
qualify for Europe?
Aston Villa were denied a return to winning ways in the Premier League as a
late Diego Tristan goal earned West Ham United a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
Fifth-placed Villa had been in wretched form over recent weeks, and their
visitors, who sat seventh at kick-off, arrived in the Midlands breathing
down their necks in their race for a place in the maiden campaign of the
Europa League. An early goal from Emile Heskey, who was returning from
injury, looked set to allow Villa to record a first league win since
defeating Blackburn in early February, but the Hammers hit back in the dying
minutes through Tristan. For the majority of the season Villa had looked set
to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, but a winless top-flight run which
now stands at eight games has led some critics to question whether even a
top-seven finish is a certainty. A host of clubs have emerged as contenders
for continental football, but Villa demonstrated they remain focused,
despite seemingly losing their quest to gatecrash the top four, as Heskey
netted a close-range opener in the 11th minute. However, Spanish veteran
Tristan spoilt the party in the 85th minute when he deflected an equaliser
at a corner to earn a share of the spoils. Villa played with great fluency
with stand-in skipper Gareth Barry instrumental in setting up wave after
wave of attacks. His midfield partner Stiliyan Petrov and winger James
Milner also made telling contributions while Heskey and John Carew always
demanded close attention up front.
But West Ham played their part in an end-to-end game with Mark Noble a key
figure and Villa needed goalkeeper Brad Friedel to make a trio of fine saves
before Tristan's late strike. The Hammers opened brightly and Friedel
prevented them taking the lead after two minutes. Noble threaded a pass into
the path of the impressive Junior Stanislas and his darting run took him
through the heart of the Villa defence but Friedel managed to deflect his
shot just past the post. Villa threatened seriously for the first time when
Barry was only just wide with a glancing header from a Nicky Shorey centre.
And in the 11th minute Heskey put Villa ahead. Barry broke down the left
before picking out the run of Milner on the opposite flank, and his low
centre was turned home at close range by the England striker. West Ham
quickly responded and Friedel again did well to block an effort from David
Di Michele before James Tomkins fired the rebound over the bar. Green had to
be alert to keep out a low drive from a narrow angle by Milner who then had
a goal-bound drive blocked by Herita Ilunga. Noble became the first player
to be booked in the 20th minute for a challenge on Barry.
The game was full of goalmouth action and Ashley Young's 20-yard drive
clipped the outside of a post after his initial free-kick had been blocked
by the defensive wall.
Heskey almost struck for the second time when he intercepted a back-pass
from Noble and clipped his shot at full stretch against the post. Boa Morte
was booked for diving after appearing to go down too easily when challenged
by Barry on the edge of the Villa box. Then Ashley Young was yellow carded
after eye-balling Lucas Neill who had brought down the Villa winger. Villa
started the second half on the offensive and came close to doubling their
lead within the first two minutes. Carew showed good skill before flicking
his pass through to Heskey whose low shot was blocked by an alert Green.
Luke Young had to be alert to take the ball away from the feet of Di Michele
after he found half a yard of space inside the Villa box. Carew was not far
off target with a near-post volley after good play by Luke Young to create
the opening. But he should have doubled Villa's lead when heading over from
Ashley Young's inswinging centre. Friedel protected Villa's lead by pulling
off a fine save to deny Boa Morte at close range. But with six minutes left
Tristan deflected in a shot from Dyer which had been going wide after a
corner.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diego Tristan steals point for West Ham
Even a change of colours could not trick Aston Villa into a change of
fortune.
Telegraph
By Phil Shaw at Villa Park
Last Updated: 6:14PM BST 18 Apr 2009
Having had to forsake their claret and blue for all white, they led through
Emile Heskey's early goal only for a late equaliser by West Ham's Diego
Tristan to extend their run without a Premier League win to eight matches.
Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, hailed the point secured by the
33-year-old Spaniard's opportunism as "well deserved".
Junior Stanislas and James Tomkins join glittering cast of local West Ham
talent"Everyone can be satisfied," said the Italian, adding with an impish
smile, "especially us."
A "disappointed" Martin O'Neill did not agree. "Going forward we were
exhilarating and brilliant, but we were unable to see it through," the Villa
manager said. His frustration was compounded by the failure of referee Rob
Styles to spot a clear hand-ball by James Tomkins in stoppage time. The
impasse ensured that Villa have still not won at home to a club in the top
half of the table, while West Ham have yet to defeat any of the top six. It
was not for want of trying, both sides playing an expansive game and
spurning an array of scoring opportunities. Villa, whose change of attire
came after Mr Styles decided West Ham's sky-blue away strip clashed with
their sleeves, led after 10 minutes. Gareth Barry broke on the left before a
cross-field pass to James Milner on the opposite flank. His low cross was
swept in by Heskey for only his second Villa goal. Heskey, beating Robert
Green to a suicidal back-pass by the otherwise outstanding Mark Noble, hit
the post after 27 minutes. But the second goal Villa needed would not come
and they paid dearly with five minutes remaining. A corner was cleared to
substitute Kieron Dyer, whose volley was drifting wide until Tristan
redirected it with a twisting header.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diego Tristan hits Aston Villa's top-four hopes
Aston Villa 1 West Ham United 1
The Times
Brian Glanville at Villa Park
BUT for the last 10 minutes, when West Ham staged their unexpected and
incisive rally, it looked as if this windswept game would end with a whimper
— and a 1-0 win for Aston Villa. They had gone ahead in the 11th minute.
Gareth Barry — not for the first time, the best player on the field, cool
and rational throughout — found James Milner on the right. With West Ham's
defence alarmingly open, Milner was able to cross for Emile Heskey to score
into the bottom left corner. With several West Ham absences, Lucas Neill
was moved to central midfield and moves didn't flow, despite the constant
application of Luis Boa Morte. They had a substantial chance to equalise
after a bright move in which Boa Morte was prominent, but when the ball ran
to James Tomkins, he struck the ball over the bar. On 16 minutes a left-wing
corner by Villa's highly committed left-winger Ashley Young reached Milner,
whose fierce drive was turned round the near post by the resourceful Robert
Green. In the next minute Villa missed a palpable chance of doubling the
score when John Carew found Barry, but when his left-wing centre seemed to
expose the visiting goal, Stiliyan Petrov couldn't quite make contact.
West Ham could so easily have gone two goals down 10 minutes later. Mark
Noble, quite untypically, under-hit his back pass, giving Heskey a chance,
but his shot hit the left-hand post. Though the quality of the first-half
football was not exceptional, and real chances comparatively few, at least
it had been a bright as well as breezy game.
It should be recorded that the Aston Villa announcer revealed before
kick-off that Villa would "reluctantly" be wearing their all-white third
strip, "owing to a colour clash". But when West Ham took the field almost
wholly in sky blue, you wondered whether that change of strip from the
traditional claret and blue worn usually by both sides was wholly essential.
In the 47th minute Carew neatly found Heskey but though the striker was
within close range, Green came out to block the ball near his right-hand
post. In the 77th minute Nicky Shorey's high ball from the left was headed
over the top, rather than into the net by Carew. This seemed to be the
signal for West Ham suddenly to get into their stride, take over the
midfield and fashion a series of opportunities which resulted eventually in
their equaliser and could almost at the end have brought them the winner.
Two fresh attackers, Savio Nsereko and Freddie Sears, were introduced and
Diego Tristan moved into a more central position. On 79 minutes, after a
tremendous scramble in the Villa penalty box, Boa Morte made strong contact,
only to be blocked by Brad Friedel. Six minutes later Kieron Dyer shot, and
Tristan expertly and accurately got his head to the ball to level the
scores. In the 89th minute West Ham might have won when a high attempt by
Noble was turned over by Friedel. Just before the final whistle Carew broke
through, only to be thwarted by Tomkins' hand. No penalty was given.
Victory, for all their late and vigorous rally, would have flattered West
Ham and been hard on Villa. Predictably West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola was
happier than Villa's Martin O'Neill. "It was a very good display of
football," said Zola. "Maybe a few more goals were missing, but it was an
exciting game. We can be satisfied. We can see West Ham totally deserved a
point."
O'Neill said: "Going forward we were absolutely brilliant again, but we were
unable to see it through. After 25 minutes we could have scored five. We
were unable to get the second goal. The equaliser was going wide but the
fellow got the touch and it just drifted into the net."
Star man:Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Yellow cards: Aston Villa: A Young, Petrov. West Ham:Noble, Boa Morte,
Upson.
Referee:R Styles.
Attendance:39,534
ASTON VILLA:Friedel 7, L Young 6, Davies 6, Cuellar 6, Shorey 6, Milner 6
(Gardner 88min), Petrov 6, Barry 7, A Young 6, Heskey 6 (Delfouneso 70min),
Carew 6
WEST HAM:Green 7, Tomkins 6, Upson 6, Collins 6 (Dyer 32min, 6), Ilunga 6,
Neill 6, Boa Morte 7, Stanislas 6 (Nsereko 73min), Noble 6, Di Michele 6
(Sears 80min), Tristan 6
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola has been betrayed by the bank
By Michael Calvin 18/04/2009
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola must have been a very naughty boy in a previous life. How
else can we explain his misfortunes at West Ham? He's saved the fools in the
boardroom a fortune by following tradition. Zola is developing a young,
attractive, resilient team. Now he's at the mercy of Icelandic bankers, and
their spin doctors. He's been betrayed.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CARLTON COLE ON WAY BACK
West Ham striker aims to be training within two weeks
By ROB SHEPHERD, 18/04/2009
News Of The World
CARLTON COLE is hoping to be back in training inside two weeks. West Ham
feared the striker, 25, would be out for the rest of the season after
tearing a groin muscle playing for England last month. But they now hope
Cole will return for the last few matches of the campaign. Partner Dean
Ashton is also close to a comeback after missing most of the season with
ankle problems. But the cash-hit Hammers are ready to listen to offers for
the £7.5million hitman during the summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham look East as £80m Upton Park buyout looms large
By Rob Draper
Last updated at 11:08 PM on 18th April 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have two potential bidders ready to mount an £80million takeover
deal in the wake of the financial meltdown of owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
Companies from the Middle East and the Far East have expressed an interest
in a buy-out of West Ham but have yet to commit to the final stage of the
deal, due diligence. But with the club edging ever closer to being taken
over by their creditors, currently led by troubled Icelandic bank Straumur —
the principal creditors of West Ham's parent company, Hansa — a deal could
be struck this summer. The business empire of Icelandic owner Gudmundsson,
once valued at £600m, has been wiped out by the credit crunch and he is
slowly losing control of West Ham after Hansa's creditors agreed to back him
only if he could find a buyer by June. The club are now faced with the
scenario of passing into the hands of the various banks to which they owe
money or concluding a quick deal at the end of the season.
Manager Gianfranco Zola has been assured of his future if the banks take
over as they see maintaining stability and building on the progress being
made as the best way to maximise the price of any future sale. It is likely
that the companies discussing a takeover would also persist with Zola, given
the excellent job he has done with assistant Steve Clarke. The Mail on
Sunday understands that the two separate companies have been working on the
takeover for several months but have been waiting for the right moment to
make their move to pay the lowest price possible. That will likely come at
the end of the season. Any takeover will involve contingencies for dealing
with £50m of West Ham debt and payment of the £20m compensation to Sheffield
United to settle the Carlos Tevez dispute.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Villa boss O'Neill left fuming by denied penalty claim
19.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was left angry with a denied penalty call at
the end of their 1-1 draw with West Ham United. O'Neill was convinced that
Hammers defender James Tomkins had handled the ball under pressure from
Villa striker John Carew. But Styles waved aside Villa's protests as their
winless run was extended to 11 games, leaving their hopes of Champions
League football hanging by a thread. O'Neill said: "We were denied a
clear-cut penalty in the last minute of the game. You have got to be able to
see those. "The player has clearly punched the ball away. It is not as if it
brushed against him, but that is the way things are going for us at present.
"We are playing to full houses every week because of the way we are playing
attacking-wise, but at the moment we can't get a victory on the board."
O'Neill admitted his side now face an uphill task if they are to overhaul
fourth-placed Arsenal, who are seven points clear and have a game in hand on
the midlands club.
He said: "In the last three games we have played some brilliant stuff, but
have taken just two points, and maybe winning, like losing, becomes a habit.
"We got an early goal and we could have scored five times in the opening 25
minutes, but we were unable to get the second goal. "We have to be able to
see games through, but we definitely deserved more from the game."
On Villa's Champions League chances, O'Neill added: "If we could have won
today, we would have been back in with a chance. Our fixtures are difficult,
but maybe Arsenal would have been under more pressure going to Liverpool on
Tuesday had we won today. "Had this result happened in mid-season, we could
have brushed it aside and made up for it away from home. "But it is now
going to be a very difficult task for us. We need help from other sources,
but we really needed to have won today." Emile Heskey broke the deadlock
after 11 minutes with his second goal for Villa, but Diego Tristan rescued a
point for the Hammers in the 84th minute when he deflected home a shot going
wide from substitute Kieron Dyer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola wants West Ham youth system to match Arsenal
19.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is determined to bring through more
local talent. Zola is looking to follow Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's
example, and has made a good start in handing first-team opportunities to
the likes of Jack Collison, James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Freddie
Sears this season. He told whufc.com: "I said straight away that Arsenal was
one of the models that this club was looking up to. That's what we want to
do. I think it's working ok for the moment and we're looking forward to
improving. Certainly Arsenal is a team that I admire very much so obviously
to try to do what they do is something we would like to do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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