Summary

  • Aston Villa draw with West Ham to open three-point gap to fifth-placed Tottenham

  • Zaniolo equalised for Villa after Antonio headed West Ham opener

  • Hammers had two goals disallowed by VAR for handball - including one in stoppage time

  1. All overpublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    That's a wrap for our Premier League coverage on this Sunday.

    Check out the full match report here or head here for the very latest in Manchester United's FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

    See you!

  2. 'It's what VAR do'published at 16:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    West Ham United

    David MoyesImage source, Getty Images

    West Ham boss David Moyes, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We've had two calls this week. One against Freiburg in midweek didn't go our way. We've had four handballs this week that didn't go for us. It's what VAR do, it's their decision not ours, we can't do anything about it. It's there to do the job.

    "In the second half, Villa stepped it up, they were the better team for periods. I was really pleased with how we performed overall."

  3. Postpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Michail AntonioImage source, Getty Images

    Michail Antonio’s opening goal was his first for West Ham since netting against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League in August 2023, ending a run of 17 consecutive matches across all competitions without a goal.

  4. 'It's better to win but we draw and I think it's good'published at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    Unai EmeryImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Good afternoon. We didn't control the game in the first half. We were not progressing to impose our position. When they are connecting with their attacking players, they scored one goal. We changed tactics in the second half and we got chances to score a goal and in the end we did score. The second half, we deserve it more than the first half. The referee decided it was handball.

    "We had a plan before the match and the plan can change. The players had to be ready and focussed in case we needed them like today. Zaniolo is working and he is focussed.

    "In this Premier League level it is difficult because the set piece takers are good. It is important to not concede set pieces. Overall, I think tactically in the second half we dominated and imposed our position.

    "It's better to win but we draw and I think it's good and we have to accept it."

  5. Good option to havepublished at 16:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Nicolo ZanioloImage source, Getty Images

    Both of Nicolo Zaniolo’s Premier League goals for Aston Villa this season have been second-half equalisers after coming off the bench – with the Italian also levelling things up vs Sheffield United in December 2023.

  6. Postpublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Only Liverpool (22) Arsenal (18) and Newcastle (18) have had more goal involvements from substitutes in the Premier League this season than Aston Villa (17 - 8 goals, 9 assists), with their equaliser (scored by Nicolò Zaniolo and assisted by Moussa Diaby) the third instance of two subs combining for a league goal for Villa this season.

  7. 'We are a very good team'published at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    Nicolo ZanioloImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa goalscorer Nicolo Zaniolo speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a very good match. The first half they were more aggressive but we played well in the second half. Our team is very good. We competed well today and we have to fight.

    "It will be very hard [the top-four fight] but we are a very good team. We have a very good coach and we prepare very well."

  8. Postpublished at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Tomas SoucekImage source, Getty Images

    Pick the bones out of that one.

  9. What it meanspublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    Here's what a point apiece means in the race for those European places.

    Premier League table
  10. Postpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    West Ham have now dropped points in six of their eight Premier League matches this season directly following a Europa League fixture (W2-D4-L2).

  11. Postpublished at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    West Ham goalImage source, Getty Images

    Let's try and describe the melee for that last-minute disallowed goal.

    Tomas Soucek swings at the ball and misses it, the spin takes it away from the midfielder and then it hit his arm, before hitting Jarrod Bowen and going in.

    Got it?

  12. Postpublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    From a West Ham perspective, you're going to be disappointed that goal was disallowed but Aston Villa will think it is the correct decision.

  13. Postpublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    David Moyes asks a few questions of the officials in the middle before Pau Torres offers his opinions on the matter.

    The goal was ruled out and the ball certainly seemed to hit the arm of Tomas Soucek. How much he knew about it is another question.

  14. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    BOOOOOs ring out as referee Jarred Gillett blows up. Players surround the ref.

  15. Postpublished at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    It probably is correct but it's difficult to find the correct angle that proves it.

  16. Postpublished at 90+12 mins

    West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    Both managers look bemused by this. We could still have a few minutes of play yet as well.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    VAR. Sucking the fun out of football, game by game.

    Darren, Grays

  18. Postpublished at 90+11 mins

    West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    That was such a long review. But ultimately there was a handball in there and West Ham have had two goals ruled out now.

  19. DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March
    Breaking

    West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

    NO GOAL!

  20. Postpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March

    The ball hits the arm of either Tomas Soucek or Jarrod Bowen, I think. But who it goes in off last is really hard to see.