Aston Villa have only themselves to blame for not improving their embarrassing away record which has left them as the only club in the First Division not to score an away win this season.

For with two goals on the scoresheet in just ten minutes Villa promptly handed West Ham the chance of pulling back a goal, and then frittered away a hatful of chances In the last 13 minutes before allowing the equaliser.

But the 2-2 draw ended any lingering relegation fears at Villa Park. And Ron Saunders has the satisfaction of knowing that his team consolidated their First Division status without relying on the results of other games.

But how Villa failed to win at Upton Park is a mystery. They went at a jaded Wed Ham from the start. The Londoners had clearly not returned to earth following their European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final with Frankfurt on Wednesday night.

John Deehan, replacing Ray Graydon, on the right, rocked West Ham with a fine fifth minute opener. Andy Gray hooked a left-wing throw-In over his head, and Deehan rose above Kevin Lock to power a header beyond Bobby Ferguson’s right hand.

It was no surprise when Villa went two ahead in the tenth minute. Gray sent Gidman racing clear on the right and his deep cross found Steve Hunt who headed inside the upright.

At that moment Villa looked on the verge of a complete take-over bid but a goal after 15 minutes let West Ham off the hook.

England schemer Trevor Brooking, repeating an identical move from a corner minutes earlier, crossed to Keith Robson who headed over Jake Findlay into the goal.

Villa proceeded to fritter away gilt-edged chances. Deehan fired over from two yards as did Gray on two occasions, and Carrodus and Dennis Mortimer all allowed Ferguson to scramble away shots in an extraordinary final 15 minutes.

And then in the 89th minute Brooking found a space on the left before driving home a deflected shot past Findlay.