The 'white Balotelli' Zaniolo and VAR ruin West Ham's day against Aston Villa

By Alessandro Schiavone at London Stadium

West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa

Goals: Antonio (W), Zaniolo (AV)

Nicolò Zaniolo and two disallowed goals for handball are the three main stains on a positive day at the office for West Ham who were bitterly held to a 1-1 draw against Champions League-chasing Aston Villa despite outplaying and outfighting the hosts for large spells.

Michail Antonio had given the Hammers the lead with a brilliant free header from Vladimir Coufal's cross before the half-hour mark.

Having just trashed Ajax 4-0 on Thursday, Villa appeared stuck in a rut and chasing shadows in the first-half but madman Zaniolo saved their blushes after finishing off Moussa Diaby's cutback 11 minutes from time.

The stalemate extends West Ham's unbeaten home run against the Villans to nine. Equally, the hosts have yet to lose in nine trips to the capital since Unai Emery took over, having won four and drawn five. But Zaniolo's toe poke could prove crucial in the race for top-four after Tottenham's 3-0 reversal at Fulham.

Under the watchful eye of Colombia great Rene Higuita in attendance at London Stadium, West Ham had the better start to the game but failed to build on their lead. Be it by Emiliano Martinez who made a a couple of crucial saves and... Soucek who inadvertently blocked Paquetà's goal-bound effort, the Hammers had their endeavours for a second goal dented.

And Diaby's introduction at half-time changed a few things for the visitors who had been playing at walking pace and with the handbrake on up until that point.

It took a fine Alphonse Areola save to deny the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man's effort before his counterpart Emiliano Martinez repelled Paquetà's shot too.

But despite some controversy late on, the result didn't change after 'white Balotelli' Zaniolo poked home Villa's equalizer after Diaby's excellent footwork was followed by an immaculate assist.

After a long VAR check, the referee was called to the monitor and decided that Soucek deliberately used his arm to help the ball over the line.

If only Villa could play in London every week.

In the end this Conference League 'derby' between Zaniolo, winner in 2022, and the competition's reigning champions ends in draw.

But neither will be particularly happy with it.