AN inspired substitution by West Ham manager Harry Redknapp enabled his side to earn a point with a late goal from Tony Cotter at Villa Park. Redknapp sent the Portuguese player Dani on as a replacement for Steve Potts with five minutes to go and his second touch set up the equaliser.
His precise pass picked out Cottee, who took the ball down on his chest and made no mistake from close range.
It was a case of third time lucky for Cottee, who had squandered two golden chances before finally grabbing his 12th goal of the season. West Ham deserved point by virtue of a fine second half display after a rare goal from Villa's central defender Paul McGrath bad looked to have settled the issue.
Villa, however, created the better chances in the opening 45 minutes and Tommy Johnson had a header tipped over by Ludek Miklosko. But the West Ham goalkeeper was stranded when a 25 yard thunderbolt from Mark Draper hit the crossbar.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Andy Townsend's left wing corner found its way to McGrath at the far post and he volleyed home in spectacular fashion.
The second half opened in similar fashion and Johnson, who has now gone 12 games without a goal, should have done better in the 50th minute after being picked out by Draper's superb 40 yard ball.
Cottee volleyed over from close range after 62 minutes and then was sent clear by John Moneur only to be denied by the advancing Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich but not for long.
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