Filed under: Aston Villa, West Ham, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
West Ham's hopes of Premier League survival took a blow when they failed to defend Robbie Keane's early strike and were defeated by Gabriel Agbonalhor's stoppage-time winner for Aston Villa at Upton Park.Darren Bent's strike cancelled out Keane's strike and the late drama meant Avram Grant's team could not manage a morale-boosting result before tough matches against Chelsea and Manchester City.
The hosts were without their inspirational midfielder Scott Parker due to an Achilles injury but their day started well - they were celebrating after just 104 seconds when they took the lead.
Mark Noble's corner was only cleared as far as Thomas Hitzlsperger, who headed back towards goal and found Keane unmarked and with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Ashley Young had been guarding the post and played Keane onside, with the Hammers striker turning and volleying into the roof of the net for his second goal since arriving from Tottenham.
Bent had already had a strike ruled out - for a push on Lars Jacobsen - before he levelled the match with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
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Noble lost possession in his own area to an Emile Heskey tackle and Villa worked the ball to Luke Young and the full-back's cross found Bent, who headed firmly into the bottom corner.
Bent could have added another just after the break during a flurry of activity towards West Ham's goal.
Robert Green saved from Bent at the near post when he ran through, then the England goalkeeper turned Ashley Young's free-kick around the post. Carlton Cole also hacked off the line when James Collins headed at goal.
The winner came in stoppage-time when Ashley Young chased a loose ball before crossing for Agbonlahor to head home from close range.
WHAT IT MEANS:
West Ham are in the thick of the relegation fight and need something from their next two games against tough opponents. They look like a team struggling for inspiration without Parker. Villa are in the top half and virtually safe.
REACTION:
West Ham manager Grant admits time is running out for his team to save their season:
"We need to deal with this situation, we have been in a good run since January but lost points in the last games. We don't have much time to recover but we need to be strong."
On what is needed to stay up:
"We need nine points more or less to stay in the league. It will be difficult but still possible and we don't have any intention to give up. We will fight. And we will not give up against our next two opponents, we have beaten big teams this season."
On his team being nervous:
"It was crucial. The players knew it and that is why they were a little bit nervous, sometimes they gave it away cheaply. It was very important to us but we lost it so we have to look at the next game."
Villa manager Gerard Houllier insists his team are united, despite reports of dress-room splits:
"I must give credit to their character because that is what we need when we are in a fight against relegation, you need character and you need composure.
On team spirit:
"When you are in danger you can't have egos in the team and you can't have grudges. You have got to be man enough to put away your own personality and work for each other."
On the season:
"I said to the players before the game that this was a turning point. We missed a turning point at Bolton when we went 2-1 up and we lost the game. I said to them that we would not miss this turning point."
WEST HAM 1 (Keane 2) ASTON VILLA 2 (Bent 37, Agbonlahor 90)
PLAYER MARKING:
West Ham (4-3-3): Green 9; Jacobsen 7, Da Costa 6 (Gabbidon 14, 7), Upson 7, Bridge 6; O'Neil 6 (Ba 63, 6), Noble 6, Hitzlsperger 7; Keane 8, Cole 7, Obinna 6 (Hines 58, 6).
Subs (not used): Boffin, Boa Morte, Spector, Piquionne.
Aston Villa (4-4-2): Friedel 7; Walker 6, Dunne 7, Collins 7, L Young 7; Downing 7, Petrov 7, Reo-Coker 6, A Young 9; Bent 8, Heskey 6 (Agbonlahor 78).
Subs (not used): Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Makoun, Clark, Cuellar.
ATTENDANCE: 34,672
REFEREE: Mark Halsey
NEXT UP:
- West Ham v Chelsea (away), Premier League, 23/04, 1730 BST
- Aston Villa v Stoke (home), Premier League, 23/04, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Ashley Young (Aston Villa): England midfielder was a constant source of trouble for West Ham. Very direct, then set up the winner at the death.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/16/west-ham-united-1-aston-villa-2-gabriel-agbonalhor-football/
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