EPL: West Ham Draw Aston Villa To Climb Out Of Relegation

On Sunday, West Ham United played to a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League, with Said Benrahma scoring from the penalty spot to equalize Ollie Watkins's early opener, moving the London club back out of the relegation zone.

Despite Everton's and Bournemouth's wins on Saturday, West Ham dominated the game but struggled to convert their chances, slipping into the bottom three. The draw leaves them in 17th place with 24 points, while Villa remains in 11th place.

"We played a good game and had many chances but just couldn't score. Obviously, we need to get wins," said West Ham defender Kurt Zouma.

In the first half, West Ham almost took an early lead from a set play, but Nayef Aguerd dragged his shot wide in the seventh minute. Villa then scored in the 17th minute with Watkins heading home from Alex Moreno's inch-perfect cross.

Benrahma equalized nine minutes later by hammering his spot-kick past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez after a clumsy foul by Leon Bailey on Lucas Paqueta.

Both Benrahma and Watkins had efforts saved before halftime, and the teams went into the break level. Throughout the second half, West Ham attacked, but Villa dug in defensively, with goalkeeper Martinez standing firm when called upon.

Villa had a few chances on the break, but most came to nothing, and substitute Jhon Duran missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the 89th minute. West Ham's Maxwel Cornet was guilty of doing the same at the other end deep into stoppage time.

The draw means Villa is now winless in their last 10 Premier League games against West Ham, since a 1-0 home win in May 2015.