Villa remain in deep trouble, without a win in 17 Premier League matches since they beat Bournemouth on the opening day of the season and without a victory at Villa Park since West Ham lost here in May, yet can at least take some encouragement from a performance that revealed they do possess the stomach for a fight, no matter how hopeless their prospects of a successful outcome.
Backed by vocal home support in a crowd of more than 38,000 - their biggest since the visit of Manchester United in August - Villa created many more chances than Slaven Bilic's team, now without a win in eight matches, and recovered from the loss of a goal in first-half stoppage time to salvage a point through a penalty converted by Jordan Ayew.
Posession stats
Villa's position is bleak. In the only two seasons in their history in which they have been bottom of the table at Christmas they have been relegated but may draw some encouragement from the knowledge that the teams propping up the Premier League at Christmas in the last two seasons have survived. Remi Garde will need serious reinforcements in the transfer window but perhaps all is not lost yet.
Aaron Cresswell puts West Ham in front
Villa had been competitive for much of the first half. Cresswell's goal was not quite against the run of play but a 1-0 half-time advantage for the visiting side did not really look on the cards, especially given West Ham's recent lack of goals.
Remi Garde's team, on the other hand, had gone close on a couple of occasions, with the recall of Rudy Gestede up front giving them the edge.
Ayew levelled from the spot
Gestede drew a save from goalkeeper Adrian with a header in the 18th minute following good work from Jordan Veretout to keep the ball in play on the left.
Aston Villa attacking thirds
Mauro Zarate brought Brad Guzan into play with a low shot after winning a 50-50 tussle with Alan Hutton but then Adrian needed to be at his sharpest to punch away a drive by Leandro Bacuna and then scramble into position to keep out Gestede's follow-up.
The balance of possession began to shift when Villa lost holding midfielder Carlos Sanchez through injury after 36 minutes. Garde sent on the more attack-minded Carles Gil in his place, switching Ashley Westwood from the right flank to sit deep alongside Idrissa Gana.
The result was that Villa lost their balance for a crucial period and when Michail Antonio's crossfield pass swiftly moved the play from right to left in first-half stoppage time Cresswell had time and space to drive in from the flank and launch a strong left-foot shot wide of Brad Guzan and into the far corner.
West Ham attacking thirds
It was a first goal for Cresswell since April and a first in six and a half hours' play for West Ham following three consecutive goalless draws yet it was hard on Villa, whose shortcomings had been exposed at times but at least looked like a team with some fight.
Indeed, they began the second half with much the same spirit and Adrian was soon pressed into action again, saving from the impressive Veretout and for a third time from Gestede, with the home crowd urging their side to retain their self-belief despite the setback of a goal conceded.
Reward came in the 61st minute, when Gestede broke away from Angelo Ogbonna and was brought down inside the box by the West Ham defender. Dean resisted calls for the Italian to be sent off as last man but the penalty was probably punishment enough. Ayew, coolness personified, sent Adrian the wrong way from the spot.
Villa continued to press, with James Collins heading off the line from Alan Hutton and while West Ham held on for a point they had to defend desperately at times.
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