Zamora has been in superb form this season and his fifth goal in four matches cancelled out Liam Ridgewells early strike and underlined his determination not to be the player who makes way for Argentina star Tevez.

Eventually it was Zamoras strike partner Marlon Harewood who was withdrawn to allow Tevez to make his eagerly awaited Premiership debut as a second half substitute.

Tevez and his international team-mate Javier Mascherano had created a frenzy of interest since their transfer deadline day moves from Brazilian club Corinthians last month.

But West Ham manager Alan Pardew took the bold decision to leave both players, who he believes are short of full fitness, on the bench despite the clamour from fans eager to see them in action for the first time.

Before the crowd had to time to contemplate whether Pardews decision was brave or foolhardy, the bubble of expectancy was burst as Villa stole the lead in the fourth minute.

Roy Carroll made a superb save to keep out Luke Moores powerful header from Gareth Barrys corner but the ball fell perfectly into Ridgewells path and the defender tapped in from close range.

Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen presented West Ham with a glorious chance to equalise moments later when he made a complete hash of a routine clearance to leave Harewood with the goal at his mercy.

But, despite having no Villa defender around him, Harewood seemed unable to set himself for a shot and scuffed his effort harmlessly wide.

The home defence had already paid the price for failing to deal with one corner from Barry and they were nearly punished again after 15 minutes.

The Villa left-back whipped in another excellent delivery and Juan Pablo Angel was granted acres of space to direct a header onto the crossbar with Carroll well beaten.

Villa were in total control and were only denied a second goal by the crossbar as Angels glancing header from Barrys cross deflected off the woodwork.

West Ham finally found their stride in the opening minutes of the second half and drew level in the 52nd minute thanks to an opportunistic effort from Zamora.

Lee Bowyers corner was headed goal-wards by Paul Konchesky and Zamora deflected the ball off his thigh past Sorensen from close range to claim his fifth goal of the season.

It took an extraordinary clearance from Tyrone Mears to keep West Ham on level terms as the right-back acrobatically scooped Petrovs chip off the line.

Anton Ferdinand emulated Mears heroics a minute later when he denied Moore with another fine goal-line block.

After 61 minutes Tevez finally made his entrance and received a rapturous reception from the home fans, with his first touch greeted with a roar almost as loud as the one which heralded Zamoras goal.

Tevez is capable of sublime moments of skill and one dribble that left Villa defender Martin Laursen twisting in a forlorn attempt to keep up showed the striker at his best.

Apart from that piece of impudence Villa kept Tevez comfortably under wraps as Martin ONeills side maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

And, with Mascherano confined to the bench for the entire 90 minutes, the brave new era at West Ham got off to a rather under-whelming start.