Bilic - We'll take the point

Slaven Bilic had mixed emotions over the Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic had mixed feelings after Aston Villa came from behind to claim a point against his team on Boxing Day.

The Hammers led 1-0 at the break thanks to Aaron Cresswell's fine strike, but were pegged back by Jordan Ayew's second half penalty.

It extended the Londoners' draw streak to five, and Bilic said all things considered, with their injury list, the result should be seen as a positive.

"Before the game we are looking to win it, and especially at half-time when we are 1-0 up," he said.

"Of course we knew they would come at us, but we hoped we could frustrate them by keeping the ball or hurt them with the space behind.

"Unfortunately we didn't do it and they were awarded a penalty which gave them a lift. To be fair, when you consider the whole situation with injuries before the game, and even during the game, we will take the point as a good one away from home."

The award of Villa's spot kick, for a foul on Rudy Gestede by Angelo Ogbonna, was also a source of frustration for the Gaffer.

He explained: "For me, I had a good angle and Ogbonna was in front of Gestede. The only reason Gestede came in front of Ogbonna is that he pulled his shirt.

"It's not just a quick one, it lasted, so for me it was a foul. But then he's given a penalty, and then there's been a couple of handballs which at least one should have been rewarded with a penalty. 

"We didn't, we can't change it. We can moan, but what's the point of that?"

Bilic now faces a wait to see whether James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell will make Monday's visit of Southampton after departing the action early due to injury.

He added: "It's very frustrating to have both full-backs out of the game [during the course of it]. With Tomkins it's a situation that long-term it's nothing serious but his eye is shut and the problem is the game is in a couple of days time.

"Cresswell, he felt some tightness and it was a precaution [to take him off]. We have to wait until tomorrow."