• 9 months ago
Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden's reaction at London Stadium after West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Transcript
00:00 Aston Villa will feel very happy to get a point away at West Ham United. A 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
00:06 Before this, Tottenham Hotspur losing to Fulham and Villa thinking, 'OK, three points are needed here in the Champions League fight.'
00:12 But a draw I think he'll be very happy with considering how things unfolded here at London Stadium.
00:17 West Ham, better side in the first half, took the lead through Miquel Antonio.
00:21 Vladimir Sofele's cross was headed in by Antonio, who was given far too much space by Ezra Konza and Clement Longley.
00:28 Villa lacked a clinical edge, didn't really create too many chances, especially in the first half, and they took a while to get going.
00:34 Substitutions at half-time, though, helping out. Moussa Diaby coming on and changing the game.
00:39 Nicolo Zaniolo very direct and throwing himself about, very physical, very aggressive.
00:44 And it paid off, those two combining, to get Villa an equalising goal.
00:48 A very good cutback from Diaby and then Zaniolo, first time, poking the ball home.
00:53 It looked as if it was going to be 1-1 here. West Ham denied a goal for Antonio, a second one.
00:58 It's a Ham ball, eventually found by VAR after a minute or two.
01:02 But then an even more controversial VAR ruled out goal in the 95th minute, I believe it was.
01:09 It took five minutes for VAR to check.
01:12 Kostas Mavropanas, the ex-Arsenal centre-back, putting it home over the line after a goal-line scramble.
01:18 But he too handled the ball. For me, looking at the replays, it looked quite clear.
01:23 It hit his arm on the way in and it looked as if he moved his arm a little bit to help the ball go into the net.
01:28 So why did it take so long? Well, God knows.
01:31 I suppose it's a massive decision to make in the Champions League fight for West Ham as well.
01:37 Those extra points would help them towards their Europa League hopes.
01:40 In the end, though, ruled out. West Ham fans absolutely furious.
01:44 But I think both of those ruled out goals were the right decision.
01:47 It's just a shame it took so long for the decision to be made.
01:50 But nonetheless, 1-1 draw here at the London Stadium.
01:53 Villa happy with the two teams with that point having fought back.
01:56 It's a response to Tottenham losing, but not quite the one fans would have hoped for.
02:01 Anyway, we're heading to the international break. Villa still in fourth place ahead of their rivals.
02:05 Let's just see if they can hold on after the internationals.

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