ASTON Villa and West Ham shared the points and the frustration at Upton Park in a scrappy 90 minutes that failed to produce a goal.

West Ham defender Tony Gale produced a performance of calm authority at the centre of the home team's defence. in contrast to his opposing number Paul McGrath, who lost out in a personal battle with Lee Chapman.

Villa manager Ron Atkinson has never brought a side to win at Upton Park.

His attack consisting of Saunders and Atkinson - Whittingham stayed on the bench furiously - extended Miklosko only once, with ten minutes to go, but the Czech keeper fisted clear from Atkinson.

The lack of goals will continue to worry the Villa manager. A total of 12 in 11 games in the premiership this year is a poor dividend from a £3.9m investment, not to mention the £1.2m spent on Whittingham.

In the first half, West Ham's compact midfield strangled Villa's attacking efforts, bolstered by the return of Townsend.

The frustration got to McGrath, who was finally booked for a third display of petulance in 35 minutes.

Villa's keeper Bosnich also allowed himself to be rattled by some competitive challenges from Morley.

The unsetting tactics of the West Ham striker almost indirectly produced a goal when an agitated Bosnich slipped in possession of a Teale back pass, but the Australian international recovered to scramble Chapman's goal effort clear.

Villa's most rewarding forays before the interval came from the speedy combination of Daley and Small on the left.

Miklisko was forced to parry a Daley drive after 28 minutes. Daley and Small combined well again just before halftime, working the ball from left to right for Cox, Villa's outstanding player of the half, to draw a good save from 35 yards.

West Ham started the second half well but within ten minutes Villa had begun to dominate.

Marsh. who had combined the footballing tradition of West Ham with the steel acquired in his former club Liverpool, tired, along with Breacker at right back, and Daley exploited the weakness down the left.

As the second half went on some powerful running by Townsend. Houghton and Atkinson seemed likely to produce a goal, but like Daley's crosses, the trio lacked precision in the last third of the pitch.

Villa at least avoided finishing the game with ten men. McGrath was perhaps lucky to stay on the field after wrestling Morley to the ground late in the game.