West Ham United is currently in the middle of a tough period, and it seems that their set-play defense has become their Achilles heel. The Hammers have struggled to defend corners and free kicks effectively, which has led to some costly goals for them.

In their latest match against Aston Villa, West Ham found themselves in a tight situation when they were awarded a penalty. However, they failed to convert the penalty into a goal, which allowed Aston Villa to level the score at half-time.

The second half saw West Ham United struggling to find their rhythm, and they found themselves under immense pressure from Aston Villa. They failed to create any clear-cut chances, and their lack of defensive organization was exposed when Aston Villa scored another goal through a set-piece.

As the match drew to a close, it became evident that West Ham's set-play defense had let them down yet again. Their inability to deal with corner kicks and free kicks has been a major concern for them this season, and it looks like it will continue to be a problem for them in the future.

It is clear that West Ham needs to address their set-play defense if they want to improve their performance. The team should work on improving their communication and understanding of their roles within the set-up, and they should also focus on developing stronger defensive tactics to protect their goal.

With every defeat, West Ham's chances of securing a place in the Premier League playoff positions look dimmer by the day. The club needs to take action now to ensure that they can compete with other teams in the league, or else they may face relegation next season.

In conclusion, West Ham United's set-play defense has become a major issue for them this season. The team must prioritize improving their set-up defensively, and they need to make sure that they can handle set-pieces better. With every loss, their chances of remaining in the Premier League playoffs seem to diminish, and it's time for the club to act fast.