West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola admits the ref kept Radoslaw Kovac from being sent-off in their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Kovac was substituted soon after his challenge on Stiliyan Petrov by Zola to avoid being red-carded after having already picked up a first-half booking.

Zola said: "The referee told our captain (Matthew Upson) the next tackle was going to be a sending-off so we took no chances.

"I thought the first booking in any case was harsh because it wasn't a foul but I also have to congratulate Petrov because he is a fair person and a fair player."