Villa may have led West Ham but in the end they were lucky to draw, and ahead of Celtic’s visit on Wednesday, Unai Emery has a centre-back shortage that could do some lasting damage.
Aston Villa's most faithful servant is rapidly falling out of favour
Read MoreThe forced change altered the tune and gave West Ham hope of finding an equaliser, with Mings’ injury taking the sting out of a nervy-looking Villa, who were second-best across the park after the loss of their vocal leader at the back.
It was no more than West Ham deserved, and while they almost scored a carbon copy moments later, Digne did his goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez no favours with a wayward pass that almost went in.
Lucas Digne had ‘an absolute nightmare’ according to Carragher (Photo: PA)
The hosts held on for a point after watching Danny Ings’ strike sail a whisker wide, and on a weekend where both Manchester City and Newcastle won, Villa are falling behind in the top-four race – sitting eighth behind Chelsea and Bournemouth too.
How Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man City can qualify for Champions League knockouts
Read MoreSevilla’s Loic Bade is a reported target, and it looks more pressing than ever that Villa get this deal over the line.
That could cost Villa in the long run, for after a season that started with such promise, the last thing these supporters would want is an abrupt Champions League exit before realising they are too far behind in the league to catch up with fourth.
Fifth could yet open up as a Champions League spot, with England primed to secure one of those two extra places, but Villa are lagging behind – and the defence in this current guise is only going to further scupper their prospects.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Aston Villa face defining week in transfer window after an ‘absolute nightmare’ )
Also on site :