JORDAN AYEW rescued a point for battling Aston Villa as they were held by West Ham.
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| Ayew kept his cool to convert the penalty and win his side a share of the points |
Remi Garde is still searching for his first win as Villa boss, despite his side coming from behind to close the gap to safety.
Aaron Cresswell ended the Hammers' goal drought with their first strike in 388 minutes, but Ayew's second-half penalty levelled after Rudy Gestede went down under Angelo Ogbonna's 62nd-minute challenge.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic was unhappy with referee Mike Dean's decision.
He said: "I saw Ogbonna in front of Gestede, and Gestede came in front not because he was quicker but because he pulled his shirt. It was long enough for the referee to notice."
Villa huffed and puffed without real quality and Gestede wasted two golden chances, while Jordan Veretout was denied by Adrian.
A draw means Villa will have to win half of their remaining 20 games to meet boss Garde's survival target of 10 victories.
They remain bottom and sit nine points from safety, while the disappointing Hammers are on course for a season of mediocrity.
Garde admitted this result represented two points dropped.
He said: "I think we deserved more points but West Ham defended very well."
MAN of the MATCH: JORDAN AYEW - Saved the day for Villa, earning a point which may yet prove crucial.
Ref: M Dean Att: 38,193
VILLA: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna; Sánchez (Gil 38); Westwood, Gueye; Veretout (Traore 83), Gestede, Ayew.
WEST HAM: Adrian; Tomkins (Jenkinson 45), Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Song 75); Obiang; Noble, Kouyate; Zárate (Oxford 85); Antonio, Valencia.
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