Villa miss out after Hammers draw

Aston Villa failed to make the most of slip-ups by their Champions League rivals after a goalless draw at home to strugglers West Ham here on Sunday.

The point at Villa Park saw Martin O’Neill’s men stay sixth in the English Premier League table, two places outside of the Champions League spots, after a Saturday where fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur were held to a goalless draw by Hull and Manchester City (fifth) lost to Everton and Liverpool (seventh) drew 1-1 with Stoke.

Villa have now not won, and not scored, in the league since beating Stoke 1-0 on December 19.

But the draw was a good result for West Ham, lifting the London club out of the relegation zone.

In Sunday’s other Premier League matches, third-placed Arsenal are away to Bolton, where a win for the Gunners would leave them just three points behind leaders Chelsea, while Blackburn face Fulham.