In a game of two howlers, David James made the most costly blunder when his goalkeeping error 12 minutes from time allowed Paolo Di Canio to equalise for West Ham and rob Villa of all three points. James came flying out to take a cross that he didn’t need to challenge for, dropped the ball and allowed Di Canio to hook home his 11th goal of the season. Earlier, Di Canio’s strike partner Paulo Wanchope had missed one of the easiest chances he will ever get when he hooked the ball over an empty goal from three-yards out.

Poor Wanchope. The West Ham striker has been out of form and favour with his own supporters, and in the first half here he illustrated just how low his confidence has sunk.

West Ham, trailing to Ian Taylor’s 24th-minute goal for Villa, were desperately seeking a way back into the game when Joe Cole burst through to the byline on the left side of the penalty area. The youngster arrowed a low cross past James in the Villa goal, and when it arrived at Wanchope’s feet, just three yards from an open goal, the home supporters were already beginning to celebrate.

But Wanchope managed to scoop the ball up and over the bar when a simple tap-in was required, and West Ham’s chance to equalise went begging. It would have been an injustice after the Midlands side continued where they had left off on Tuesday, when they beat West Ham in their replayed Worthington Cup quarter-final.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Villa content to soak up West Ham’s pressure and attack on the break while the home side enjoyed most of the possession. Joachim was unlucky after a quick burst took him past Javier Margas but his shot was saved by Shaka Hislop.

West Ham threatened to equalise in the 51st minute when James dropped the ball at the feet of Wanchope but the luckless striker had his shot blocked.