West Ham grateful for point against a dominant Aston Villa

Aston Villa were very unlucky not to leave London with three points tonight. Two goal line clearances and two efforts off the woodwork is all that saved West Ham from an embarrassing home defeat.

Smiler McCann had another good game and I must repeat my apology to him, it's clearly the manager who is getting the best out of the player. Gareth Barry, playing at left back, had another decent game and when he got forward provided some decent crosses; he won't want to stay in that position for too long and I don't think he should; maybe it's time I offered him an apology also.

Man of the match for me was Liam 'Future England Captain' Ridgewell. Not only did he score the Villa goal in the fourth minute but defended with the composure normally only associated only with England captains who happen to play centre back.

Nice to see Martin Laursen playing and Petrov on his debut was unlucky not to get a goal, one of the goal line clearances. Mellberg played right back as a direct replacement for Hughes and then Delaney, neither of which were available for selection.

Overall I'm gutted we didn't win but I'm also happy with the point. West Ham looked average and by my reckoning only had one shot on target despite Sorensen gifting them a golden opportunity in the 8th minute.

I'm not going into match specifics as it was on Sky and it's not what I do but Sorensen is a good keeper however I think he's almost too comfortable. Maybe it's time for Stuart Taylor to be given a chance?

Overall, a point is a point and better than none. We are in 5th place after four games and I would have taken that four games ago. Up the Villa!