Championship: Jordan Ayew Opens Season Account For Villa

England-based Black Stars forward, Jordan Ayew, officially opened his season’s account for Aston Villa in a 1-1 drawn game at Barnsley.

The tricky attacker handed his struggling side a 61st minute lead to cap an explosive performance for the London-based side before Sam Winnal denied Aston Villa on the stroke of full time.

Ayew rounded off one of his personal best performances for Aston Villa with a fully deserved goal after a series of near misses.

The former Olympique Marseille attacker made a promising start with a flurry of goals in the off-season but has since failed to replicate that form in the Championship.

Aston Villa extended it’s worst start to any league season with one win in the opening 10 matches played.

London-born Ghana international, Albert Adomah, enjoyed 87 minutes for Roberto Di Matteo’s men before making way for the fast improving Rudy Gestede

Championship: Jordan Ayew Opens Season Account For Villa

uniBank Congratulates Dede On Record West Ham Move

Upon confirmation of his successful transfer from Welsh side, Swansea City, to London-based West Ham United for a club record fee, leading indigenous Ghanaian bank, uniBank has congratulated Dede ayew on his move.

In a post today, uniBank said it wished Ayew, who is its brand ambassador, well as he begins another journey in his football career.

Ayew completed a move to West Ham United on Monday in a club record fee of £20.5million.

The versatile striker/winger/attacking midfielder joins the Hammers on a three-year contract, with an additional two-year option, on the back of an exceptional debut Premier League season with Swansea City.

Boasting an equally impressive spell at Marseille on his CV, where he played alongside Dimitri Payet, along with goals at four major international tournaments for the Black Stars, the 26-year-old is now set to shine on the London Stadium stage.

He said: “I am very proud and happy to be at this magnificent Club. I am happy to be playing for these fans and I hope to make the people very happy here.

“The Club have a lot of ambition and have a great manager. They want to become a bigger Club every year and with the new Stadium and a new training ground, you can feel they are moving onto another level and I want to be part of this project.

“I want to train hard, do my job and show that I deserve to play for West Ham United. I want to give back to the manager and the fans the confidence they are showing me.”

Born in Seclin, northern France, in December 1989, Ayew had spells in Germany and Ghana as a youngster before making his professional breakthrough at Marseille – the same club that his father Abedi Pele starred for in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

He debuted for Marseille in 2007, and after spending time on loan with Lorient and Arles-Avignon, established himself as a regular on the scoresheet at Stade Velodrome from 2010 onwards.
In all, he scored 60 goals in 202 games for L’OM, many of them assisted by Payet, winning the Coupe de la Ligue and the Trophee des Champions twice apiece during his time in France.

An impressive 16 goals in 2011/12 included four in just nine European appearances and he has hit double figures in five of his last six campaigns.

Included in that is his impressive Premier League bow, where he scored at a rate of better than one every three games for the Swans, with his goals steering the Welsh club away from danger and to another year of Premier League safety.

Internationally Ayew has enjoyed great success, featuring for Ghana in four major tournaments – and scoring in all four.

He netted twice at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and followed that with three goals at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to claim that tournament’s Golden Boot.

A two-time Africa Cup of Nations runner-up and FIFA U20 World Cup winner, Ayew has scored eleven goals in 67 senior caps for the Black Stars.

Ayew became a uniBank ambassador this year following a deal in June.

In an official signing ceremony, the bank said he was he expected to “use his image and value as a player to help boost the image of the indigenous bank outside the shores of Ghana.”

Chief Operating Officer of uniBank, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor Jnr, added they’re looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the former Swansea City player.

uniBank Congratulates Dede On Record West Ham Move

Jordan Ayew Extends Scoring Run For Villa

Rampant Black Stars forward, Jordan Ayew,  extended his preseason scoring run with Aston Villa in a 1-1 drawn game against Rovers.

The 24-year-old Villa talisman bagged another goal for the in-form London side ahead of the new season to extend his scoring run to three matches.

Jordan took his off-season tally to four goals in three matches to fuel his exit rumours.

The former Olympique Marseille attacker has reportedly been earmarked for an imminent  departure from the Villa Park after their surprise relegation at the end of last season.

The Ghanaian import could however be tempted to ply his trade in the Coca Cola Championship if Roberto Di Matteo beefs up the London side in the transfer market.

Jordan Ayew Extends  Scoring Run For Villa

England: Jordan Ayew Nets For Aston Villa

Rampant Jordan Ayew extended his fine scoring run in off-season with another beauty in a 1-2 win for Aston  Villa.

The 24-year-old attacker registered his third pre-season goal for the relegated side  to add to his goal tally ahead of the 2016/17 European season.

Jordan powered home a pile driver in the 81st minute to draw his side level against Telford United before locating Ally Cissokho  for the match winner right on the stroke of full-time.

The Ghanaian looks set to stay at the Villa Park in their quest to make an instant return to the top flight amidst endless  inquiries about his availability.

The former Olympique Marseille forward opened his pre-season account with a powerful brace for Roberto Di Matteo’s men and could be their star man in the Championship as they seek instant promotion to the premiership.

England: Jordan Ayew Nets For Aston Villa

Sports Crusader Team Of The Week

Your most informative sports website, sportscrusader.com, once again brings to you the Crusader Team of the Week.

To set the records straight, players are selected based on the following parameters:

1. TheCoefficientof the league they play
   
   2. The competition they are in (If they are not playing league matches)
   
   3. Consistency
   
   4. The competition they face from other players playing for the same position
   
   5. The positions they play
   
   6. The number of minutes played in the game, and
   
   7. The contribution of the player to the success of the game.

Sports crusader team of the week returns for the first time in over 8 weeks with new faces making the inaugural edition of the weekly assembled finest players.

Andre Ayew kicked off his season under new manager Roberto Di Mateo with two goals in the preseason friendly for the Aston Villa forward. The 24 year old leads our Team of The Week for his promising start to the 2015/16 season.

Anderlecht duo of Frank Opoku Acheampong and Dennis Appiah earned their place in the SCTOW for their diverse roles in the 1-1 thriller with Red Stars. The duo are joined by club mate Emmanuel Agyei Sowah who graced his debut game for the senior side with impeccable display at the back.

Nigeria based Nana Bonsu mans the sticks for the NPL side to extend his boisterous run in the division.

Below is the Crusader Team of the Week and the number of minutes each player lasted.

1. Osei Bonsu (GK)- 90′  Enugu Rangers.


2. Dennis Appiah- 90’ Anderlecht.


3. Harrison Afful-90’ Columbus Crew


4. Baba Mensah-90’ BK Hacken


5. Micheal Ofosu-Appiah-90’ Infonet


6. Derreck Boateng-90’ Rayo OKC


7. Albert Adomah-90’ Middlesborough


8. Nasiru Mohammed-90’ BK Hacken


9. Jordan Ayew-90’ Aston Villa


10. David Accam -90 Chicago Fire


11. Frank Opoku Acheampong.

Subs

12. Ebenezer Ofori-90 AIK Solna

13Emmanuel Agyei Sowah- 46’ Anderlecht

14. Gilbert Koomson-90’ Sogndal

15. Ernest Asante-90’ Staebik

16. Kamal Issah-90’ Staebik

17. Kojo Opoku-90’ Miami

18. Haminu Dramani- Infonet.

 

Sports Crusader Team Of The Week

Jordan Scores In Villa Defeat

Ghanaian striker Jordan was on target for already relegated Aston Villa in their 3-2 Premier League loss to Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The former Lorentz forward put Villa 2-1 up early in the second half after Ayman Abdi had cancelled out Ciaran Clarke’s opener in the first half.

Jordan’s goal look as though it had secured three point for the Villans but defender Ally Sissokho was sent off for a late challenge on a Watford attacker which swing the game to the advantage of the Vicarage Road outfit.

Watford pressed on until they finally rip benefit of their numerical advantage with Striker Troy Deeney scoring twice in injury time to hand the newly promoted side all three points.

The defeat means Aston Villa will finish the season bottom of the table as they are currently on 16 points with just two matches remaining

Jordan Scores In Villa Defeat

West Ham United To Provide Escape Route For Jordan Ayew

London rivals West Ham United, has provided an escape ruote for Jordan Ayew after his side’s relegation from the English Premiership.

The high flying Hammers, are on course for European football under the inspiration of Slaven Bilic with five matches to end the campaign.

The Uptown Park outfit, look set to loose Senegalese hitman Diafra Sakho to domestic rivals, which has prompted the London based side to fix their gaze on Jordan Ayew ahead of the summer transfer window.

Sakho, announced himself to the European big guns whiles with the Hammers but the flurrry of offers on board could trigger an early departure from the fifth place WestHam United.

Reported offers from a number of options for the versatile Sakho, forced Slaven Bilic to cast his net wider for a direct replacement with possible Champions league or UEFA Europa league football in the offing.

Ayew, one of the few shining stars in a beleaguered Aston Villa side, will however not come cheap having joined the Villa Park side in a big money deal from Lorient.

The 24 year old Ghana international, illuminated the Premiership with his quick feet and attacking prowess with six goals in as many matches on his debut season.

The former Lorient star forward however look destined for Championship football after his side’s surprised relegation from the top tier of English football with a home defeat to AFC Bournemouth over the weekends.

The Ghanaian will be a mega addition to the Hammers as they build on the 2015/16 Premiership campaign.

West Ham United To Provide Escape Route For Jordan Ayew

English Club Targets Ghanaian Forward

English premier league club, West Ham United are reported to be considering a £6 million bid for the services of Aston Villa forward, Jordan Ayew.

 

The Ghana Black Stars striker signed in the summer of 2015 from French Ligue 1 side, Lorient for a fee of £9.5 million.

Aston Villa forward, Jordan has scored 11 goals since he joined in the summer of 2015

Bilic has been impressed with how 24-year-old Ayew has often foraged for goals with little support at Villa and, though he has only scored six for Villa this season, believes he will benefit greatly by linking up with former Marseille teammate Dimitri Payet.

The London based recruitment staff have drawn up a list that includes Marseille’s Michy Batshuyai, Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon, Wilfried Bony of Manchester City and Liverpool’s Christian Benteke.

English Club Targets Ghanaian Forward

Jordan Ayew Leads A Team Of Star Players Likely To Join The Drop

Aston Villa Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has been included in a team of star players likely to go on relegation with their clubs, at the end of the current campaign.

The trickery Black Stars wideman, has been one of the few shining spots in an otherwise disastrous season for his beleaguered club as they stare at relegation with no hopes of survival.

The Ghanaian, is joined upfront by a Newcastle United duo of Musah Sissoko and Ayoze Perez in a deadly attacking partnership.

Whoscored.com, one of the largest online database website globally assembled, the best eleven players from the basement clubs of the 2015/15 Premiership with just six matches to the end of the season.

Rafa Benitez Toon army dominated the starting XI with five players in the team, whiles Jordan Ayew is joined by two other club mates in Mika Richards and Ibrahima Gueye.

Rob Eliot has been spotted as the best of the three possibly relegated custodians whiles Yunus Kaboul , Yan Mvila sealed their place in the side a representatives from Sunderland.

Best XI Players likely to be relegated Rob Eliot, Darryl Janmaat, Micha Richard, Yunus Kaboul, Rudy Brady, Iddrisa Gana, Yan Mvila, Musah Sissoko, Ayoze Perez and Jordan Ayew.

Jordan Ayew arrived at the Villa Park at the start of the campaign but his 5 odd strikes could not power Aston Villa out of a dreadful start to the season that has three wins to their name all season.

Jordan Ayew Leads A Team Of Star Players Likely To Join The Drop

Match Report: Ghana 3-1 Mozambique

The Black Stars of Ghana continued their impressive run to Gabon 2017 with 3-1 victory over Mozambique on Thursday afternoon at the Accra Sports Stadium.

An early goal from Frank Acheampong in the first half, John Boye’s fortuitous header, and Jordan Ayew’s volley in the second half was enough to make it three out of three for the four times African champions in their race to Gabon 2017.

Mozambique pulled one back through substitute Apson Manjete, but it was not enough to earn the Mambas a favourable result for the second encounter in Maputo next Sunday.

Ghana began the game on the front foot, exerting their presence. Wakaso, who was the architect with his accurate passes, found Frank Acheampong on the right flank with a swift through ball.

The Anderlecht winger made no mistake when he raced towards the goalkeeper one-on-one, placing the ball beyond his reach.

The Mambas compacted the midfield, limiting the spaces available for the Black Stars to exploit and held on to slim defeat into the dressing room for recess.

Acheampong was taken off for Jeffrey Schlupp who passed a late fitness test. The Black Stars began the second half more stronger and pinned Mozambique to the wall. The chances for the Stars’ began flowing but the back line was very compact for Ghana to reach to the goal mouth.

However, a well floated ball from a corner kick by Christian Atsu, who had a good day, was difficult for the Mambas to defend. The keeper failed to get first control on the ball, and his defenders couldn’t either. An attempted clearance was directed at the forehead of John Boye who was following up after the melee.

The ball went into the net, and Ghana were two up. Mozambique appealed, but it was not headed to by the referee.

Two minutes later, Jordan Ayew volleyed home the final nail on the coffin after he was sent one-on-one by Harrison Afful. The goalkeeper poorly timed the ball and raced out, but he was beaten by the Aston Villa striker to it.

Ghana adopted control the game attitude, but Mozambique took advantage of that and pounced on them to earn a consolation through substitute Manjate.

Influential midfielder Mubarak Wakaso could not complete the game, and was replaced by Emmanuel Agyemang Badu.

Pressure was mounted on Ghana, but they remained resolute and earned their third successive win in the upcoming AFCON series.

Match Report: Ghana 3-1 Mozambique

Liverpool Legend Tips Jordan Ayew Get A New Club Next Summer

Former Liverpool player Paul Merson has said that Ghanaian international, Jordan Ayew is the only Aston Villa player likely to get purchased by a Premier League in the summer.

Villa has endured a disastrous campaign so far, and they have won just three matches all season.

The Claret and Blues looked well short of the standard required and their players’ attitudes have all come into question.

Villa’s squad appear to have folded on numerous occasions, and simply accepted their fate within matches.

There are very few members of Villa’s squad who can look back on this season with any pride, but Merson believes that Ayew may have convinced Premier League clubs that he has enough quality to perform at the top level.

“You always get teams that go down and you go ‘you’d take him, he’ll get a club’. I’d be absolutely shocked if any of those players got a Premier League club next season, with the exception of the centre forward Ayew,” he said.

Ayew only joined Villa from Lorient last summer, but he has arguably been the most successful of any of the Midland club’s new recruits.

Liverpool Legend Tips Jordan Ayew Get A New Club Next Summer

Ghanaian Players In Midweek European Action

England

West Ham United vs Aston Villa

Jordan Ayew got booked for  a silly foul on West Ham United left back, Aaron Creswell. The game was going as planned for the bottom placed Villa but with ten men it was difficult to see how they travel back to the midlands with even a point. Goals from Antonio and Cheik Kouyate gave the hammers all the three points.

 

Leicester City vs Liverpool

Daniel Amartey is still waiting to make his debut for Leicester city since he completed an £8m move to the English premier league side. The Foxes defeated Liverpool by 2-goals to nil as they retained their firm grip of top spot. Jeffrey Schlupp is a couple of weeks away from returning to first team action for Leicester city.

 

West Brom vs Swansea City

Ghanaian forward, Andre Ayew played 82 – minutes of Swansea’s 1 all draw game away to West Brom at the Hawthorns. The Welsh side took the lead through Icelandic international, Gylfi Sigurdsson with some few minutes left on the clock it looked like the Swans will win their second game in succession after beating Everton but West Brom’s record signing, Salomon Rondon ensured that didn’t happen.

 

 Italy

Sassuolo vs AS Roma

Alfred Duncan started for Sassuolo as they hosted Serie A giants AS Roma. The versatile Ghanaian international lasted 87 minutes as a lone goal from former Chelsea forward, Mohammed Salah gave the capita based club all three points.

Ghanaian Players In Midweek European Action

Jordan Ayew Sent Off For Elbowing West Ham"s Aaron Cresswell In The Face

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew was sent off on Tuesday night for elbowing Aaron Cresswell in the face during their Barclays Premier League match against West Ham.

Jordan who started the game was enjoying himself as he kept terrorising the defence of the host with his speed and dribbling prowess.

However that lasted very short as a brief moment of madness saw him elbowing Aaron Cresswell full in the face unprovoked.

Jordan Ayew looks dejected after being sent off for elbowing West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell in the face.

The centre referee had no option that to show him a straight red card for that act.

Aston Villa who are rooted at the bottom of the league table, eventually lost the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Michail Antonio (58th) and Cheikhou Kouyate (85th).

This is the first time the Ghanaian international has been sent off during since he joined Aston Villa from Olympic Marseille at the start of the new season.

Jordan Ayew Sent Off For Elbowing West Ham"s Aaron Cresswell In The Face

Jordan Ayew To Battle Mikel Obi For EPL African Player Of The Month Award

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew of Aston Villa, Chelsea’s Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi and Senegalese star Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham are the final three in the shortlist for the African Player in the English Premier League of January.

The statement signed by awards director Tunde Adelakun explained that the month showed signs of a long and hard season for the Premier League players so far with players like Odion Ighalo and Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez still proving doubters wrong as they continued sparkling form.

But, according to Adelakun, this month is ‘a tribute to the Africans who are making their own contribution in their own way, in their clubs’ trying times’.

Apart from Kouyate, whose West Ham are certainly riding high, getting impressive results against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, and an impressive away win at Bournemouth, the other two nominees are having a season to forget in their respective clubs.

Chelsea, champions of England only last season, are not having the best of times. But, as Adelakun pointed out, ‘things have taken a turn for the up for the champions, unbeaten in eight games since the departure of former manager Mourinho, but more importantly, a restore to starting eleven duties for Nigerian Jon Obi Mikel”.

Continuing, he said “Mikel has put an air of settlement in the Chelsea midfield and we thought we should recognise his input by shortlisting him for January’s award”.

The same can be said of Ghanaian Jordan Ayew, who is having a torrid season with Aston Villa, seemingly unable to pick points to take them off the bottom of the table.

However, Ayew has been playing really well, showing signs of why he was highly rated and picked up by Villa in the summer.

In the statement, Adelakun was quoted as saying “the quality of Ayew’s skill, ability and work rate belies the position his team is on the table, but that is football”, he concluded.

Jordan Ayew To Battle Mikel Obi For EPL African Player Of The Month Award

Jordan Ayew In Action As Aston Villa Beat New Castle To End 19-Game Winless Streak

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew was in action for his side Aston Villa as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to end a nightmare 19-game winless streak in the English Premier League on Tuesday with defender Joleon Lescott the hero of the hour.

With empty claret and blue seats visible all around Villa Park, rock bottom Villa went into their 21st game of the season on just eight points having won only once all season, on the opening weekend against Bournemouth.

But South Londoners Palace had failed to score a goal in their last three Premier League games, and looked in need of the striker their manager Alan Pardew is aiming to sign in the transfer window.

Lescott’s goal came from a 58th-minute corner when Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey dropped his routine header, and watched in horror as it first hit his leg before bobbling between his legs and across the goal-line.

Villa proceeded to defend from deep with 20 minutes to go, eventually parking the bus and simply playing for time.

It was also French coach Remi Garde’s first win in 11 games in the Villa hot-seat since replacing the sacked Tim Sherwood.

Villa captain Micah Richards confronted angry fans after their last game, a 1-1 draw at fourth-tier minnows Wycombe Wanderers.

Garde also spoke to fans and after the game said: “The best apology we could give is to win the next game and give a better performance.”

Palace started the match in lively and confident fashion and Wilfried Zaha hit the post inside the first minute, his crisp shot coming back off the woodwork with Villa keeper Mark Bunn so bamboozled by the winger’s effort he was sat on the ground.

But Villa grew in confidence and in the first half Jordan Ayew, full of pace and ambition, shot narrowly wide while Jordan Veretout forced a handy save by Hennessey too.

Villa’s dire form had sent statisticians scanning the record books but the Midlanders are unlikely to be rewriting history for the wrong reasons now.

Derby County went an astonishing 32 matches without a win in the 2007/2008 season when they picked up a paltry 11 points.

Villa are now eight points from safety and four behind second-from-bottom Sunderland.

Jordan Ayew In Action As Aston Villa Beat New Castle To End 19-Game Winless Streak

Ayew"s Loses BBC MOTD Goal Award

Not Dede, Another Ayew Loses BBC Award

Jordan Ayew’s superb drive against Newcastle failed to get him much vote to be crowned BBC MOTD fans choice goal of the month for December.

 

aAston Villa and Ghanaian striker, Jordan Ayew’s  superb goal against Newcastle that earned Villians a point at St. James’ Park was shortlisted by BBC match of the day team for best goal in the month of December.

Ayew struck from the penalty box after picking up a lose ball and beat two Newcastle defenders before bending the ball into the far left of goal keeper Elliott’s post.

 

Cuco Martina voted winner of goal of the month

The 24-year-old was competing along with Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal), Mesut Ozil(Arsenal), Riyad Mahrez(Leicester City), Lee Chung-Yong(Crystal Palace), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Yaya Toure(Manchester City), Marko Arnautovic(Stoke City), Xhedran Shaqiri(Stoke City) and eventual winner, Cuco Martina(Southampton).

 

The Curaçao right back, Cuco Martina’s opening goal against Arsenal in a 4 – 0 thrashing of the Gunners got more votes and was crowned best goal for the month of December.

Ayew"s Loses BBC MOTD Goal Award

Verdict: Ayew Is Our Best Player

Ayew Is Our Best Player For 2015

 

Ghana Forward Jordan Ayew emerged the best player for Aston Villa in the year 2015 after winning a poll conducted by the club.

 

Ayew, 24 joined the club only last June but has been voted the best player by fans of the club for the year 2015.

The former Lorient man has found the back of the net on five occasions since his arrival at the club from France.

 

Villa have been disappointing this season having picked only eight points from their last 19 games of the season.

Verdict: Ayew Is Our Best Player

Jordan Ayew Thumbs Up Strike Partner

Ayew Backs Strike Partnership To Save Villa

 

Jordan Ayew insists hisstrike partnership with Rudy Gestede can save Aston Villa from the claws of relegation.

 

The Ghanaian striker knows time is running out for Remi GardeG and his team mates and says thr Villains next game at Norwich is a must-win and so is when Villa host Sunderland.

 

Ayew scored his fifth of the season from the spot in the 1-1 draw with West Ham after Gestede was brought down.

The pair helped Villa get a point in their previous game at Newcastle but Villa remain bottom without a win since the opening day.

Jordan Ayew is joined by fellow striker Rudy Gestede to celebrate a goal for Aston Villa

Ghana international Ayew, 24, said: “Up front with Rudy, we understand each other really well. He is a very friend of mine and is perfect for me.

“He did a great job and I am happy for him. He is good in the air, he keeps the ball and I have the chance to go left on the right.”

He added, “I like playing with Rudy and we need to keep it up. We are going to win games if we continue playing like this. We have to just keep on believing and working hard.”

 

Aston Villa have two important games coming up and have to get points immediately with the Norwich City game on Monday, 28 December.

Jordan Ayew Thumbs Up Strike Partner

"Its Not Easy Playing At This Time Of The Year"-Andre Ayew

Ghanaian international Andre Ayew says playing at this time of the year is strange to him and his brother, but they are coping quite well.

The Ayew brothers have played in the French Ligue 1 league throughout their young careers, playing for Olympic Marseille and other Clubs in France.

Both players joined the Barclays Premier League in the summer and have been very impressive for their respective Clubs, scoring well over five goals each.

Jordan signed for Aston Villa whilst his senior brother joined Swansea City and they both have been an integral part of their team’s activities season long.

Coming from a league that usually goes on break during the Christmas festivities, the Ayew brothers say they are gradually adjusting to life in the Premiership, especially with the series of matches played at this time of the year.

“To me, it’s not a worry because I knew this before coming here and so did Jordan. We are adjusting and have no problem with playing these days”, Andre mentioned.

"Its Not Easy Playing At This Time Of The Year"-Andre Ayew

Jordan Ayew strikes again to secure precious point for Aston Villa in West Ham draw

Ghana striker Jordan Ayew scored for the second week running to rescue a point for Aston Villa who came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham.

The hosts had gone down to a stoppage time strike from Aaron Cresswell at the end of the first half.

But Villa, who are staring relegation in the face rallied from behind to get an equalizer.

Rudy Gestede won a penalty for Villa in the 62^nd minute with Jordan Ayew electing himself to take the vital kick.

The Ghana striker who has been extremely clinical from the spot slotted home by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Aston Villa pressed on thereafter but were unable to get the all-important winner.

Jordan Ayew meanwhile continues to show good form at his club.

The former Lorient man has now scored five goals in the league for the struggling Villa side having recovered from a difficult start.

Jordan Ayew strikes again to secure precious point for Aston Villa in West Ham draw