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Ashton's late leveller spares Hammers' blushes
Last updated at 15:26pm on 12.05.08European football, albeit in the knockabout summer fun form of the InterToto Cup, was celebrated by the claret and blue army at Upton Park. On the other three sides of the ground, the West Ham fans simply enjoyed a day in the sun as an otherwise nondescript season came to an entertaining end. In spite of the scoreline, the difference between an upwardly mobile Villa side and a more pedestrian home team was all too apparent.
Of course, Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been able to field a settled side while West Ham counterpart Alan Curbishley has too often been forced by injuries to adopt a policy of whoever-wants-a-game-gets-a-game but it was the chasm in the brands of football on display that struck home.
Great start: Solano celebrates his early strike with George McCartney
O'Neill's ability to develop his team further into contenders for a Champions League place depends on his silver tongue. Persuading Gareth Barry to ignore the overtures of Liverpool and stay in his role of captain and fulcrum of this Villa team is essential.
Barry gives Villa their heartbeat. His assurance and calm distribution give the likes of Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor their heads. He was magnificent again yesterday.
A majestic display was crowned by his 58th-minute goal. Surging at a retreating home defence, he slipped the ball in front of Nigel Reo-Coker — mercilessly booed throughout on his return to east London — and continued his run to steer in the rebound after Robert Green had parried Reo-Coker's shot.
Judging by the surge of emotion that drove Barry into a manic celebration with the Villa fans there is a bond on which O'Neill can focus during discussions. O'Neill said: 'No, I don't understand why Gareth would want to leave Villa. He's only 27. He's been brilliant for us. He has made it into England squad and team while he has been here and we'll try and guarantee him Champions League football over the next 23 years.
"He has two years left on his contract and myself and the owner will be talking to him to say how much we value him and want him to stay. But we won't be rushing just because another club wants one of our players."
Villa's dash towards Europe was slowed after eight minutes when Nolberto Solano curled a free-kick up and over an eight-man wall and past a wooden Scott Carson. Within six minutes, the visitors were level, although it was not clear whether Young was trying to slide a low cross to the feet of John Carew or intentionally guide a soft shot towards the corner of the net. Either way, he fooled everyone.
An open game brought chances galore. Both sides had an effort cleared off the line, while Bobby Zamora cannoned a header off the Villa bar. Two minutes from time, Dean Ashton rescued a final day point and tenth place for West Ham by whipping a fierce shot beyond Carson.
An upbeat Curbishley said: "The players have done fantastically well. I'm delighted with the progress we've made in a season of constant change. My big hope is that we can get all our injured players back for pre-season."
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Good report. Good match. Villa should have won. But then late late goals against are something we are getting used to. Spurs, Arsenal, and Liverpool have all taken two points off us in the last five minutes. If we address that little statistic next season. Who knows?
As for the Hammers next season. Who knows? Maybe injuries permitting they might find their best team.
- Lord Villa, London
