VAR takes centre stage as Aston Villa rescue point at West Ham

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.