Aston Villa have restricted West Ham United to few chances in the first half of their Premier League encounter at Upton Park which has ended 0-0.

It was Villa who had the game's first chance, as Gabriel Agbonlahor drove at the Hammers defence and unleashed a left-footed shot at goal from a narrow angle, but it flashed narrowly over the bar.

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Almost immediately, West Ham fired two efforts of their own goalwards.

First, James Collins saw his strong header palmed away by Brad Guzan before Mark Noble's effort from distance was also dealt with by the American stopper.

Villa defended for the most part, but a slick move prior to half time released Andreas Weimann, who stung the palms of Adrian with a powerful strike from range.

The Austrian striker then hooked another effort towards goal which Adrian had to deal with, before Stewart Downing hit a powerful strike at Guzan at the other end.

The visitors continued to defend stoutly to ensure that they entered the break with the game still goalless.