Noble’s gutted but loves the Carroll option

Mark Noble declared himself “gutted” at failing to inflict a seventh successive defeat on Aston Villa at Upton Park this afternoon.

He realised that most approached the game seeing it as a home banker but said: “The Premier League is not like that. I’m gutted but at the same time it was an important point.

“We knew that Villa had some top players but we thought they would come and sit in order to frustrate us. We could have had three or four in the first half but it just wasn’t to be.”

Noble though was thrilled with Andy Carroll’s return – albeit for just a few minutes at the end – and said: “He’s been out for a long time but he showed he can create mayhem.

“He could have had three goals in three minutes and is a fantastic addition up front for us. He’s good in the air and good on the floor – we have a great front line of options.”