Dean ashton marks england recall with equaliser against aston villa

By Simon Hayes on May 12, 2008 2:00 PM |

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West Ham 2 Aston Villa 2

Dean Ashton's late strike earned West Ham a share of the spoils at Upton Park, and then learned he's made Fabio Capello's latest England squad.

The 24-year-old forward's 88th minute goal, a superb first time effort from the edge of the box, rescued a point for the Hammers after Villa looked set to snatch a win on the last day of the Premier League season.

The point, coupled with Tottenham's 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool, meant West Ham finished 10th in the table, although for most of the second half the most likely outcome looked to be a comprehensive defeat against a determined and enterprising Villa side.

Nolberto Solano had given West Ham an eighth minute lead with a well-flighted free-kick against one of his former clubs, giving the home fans something to enjoy apart from the fine weather.

Making a return to Upton Park were ex-Hammers Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood, the latter having to make do with a seat on the bench. Reo-Coker endured an afternoon of abuse from the home crowds but turned in a decent performance, having a hand in both Villa goals.

His sharp pass let in Ashley Young down West Ham's left and his cool finish beat Robert Green to nestle in the far corner of the net after 14 minutes. It was no less than Villa deserved as they continued to produce some bright attacking football, with Young causing a lot of problems with is pace and trickery.

Gareth Barry gave the visitors the lead on 58 minutes, slotting home from six yards after Green had parried Reo-Coker's shot.

It looked as if the Irons' season would finish as it started, with a home defeat, until Ashton's dramatic intervention.

Although Ashton has earned the chance to face the USA at Wembley on May 28, there was no call-up for club colleague Green. The newly-crowned Hammer of the Year has been overlooked again despite his fine form all season and will have to concentrate on his expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro later in the summer.

West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney (Pantsil, 45), Ferdinand, Tomkins, Noble (Sears, 82), Parker, Solano, Ashton, Zamora (Cole, 75), Boa Morte.
Goals: Solano (8), Ashton (88). Bookings: Parker (foul)

Aston Villa: Carson, Bouma, Mellberg, Laursen, Barry, Young, Carew (Harewood, 87), Agbonlahor, Knight, Petrov, Reo-Coker.
Goals: Young (14), Barry (58). Bookings: Petrov (diving)

Attendance: 34,969