Aston Villa's Ghanaian international striker Jordan Ayew apologised on Wednesday after being sent off in his side's 2-0 defeat at West Ham United in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Bottom-of-the-table Villa had made a promising start to the game when Ayew, 24, was shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for swinging his left elbow into the face of West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell.

Subsequent goals from Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate condemned Villa to a defeat that left them 10 points from safety.

"Looking back at my impulsive actions last night I sincerely apologise to the supporters of Aston Villa, my teammates, AVFC staff and my coach," Ayew wrote on Instagram.

"I take full responsibility for my actions and I don't wish to dwell on my mistake, but rather look forward to playing again to prove myself to be true to claret and blue as I have done from the moment I joined AVFC and I do not intend to slow down now.

"To my fans and everyone I offended, I ask that you join me in moving on from this unfortunate situation as I continue to focus on my career and the success of the team. We fight till the end. Up The Villa!"

Ayew will now be suspended for three matches, beginning with Saturday's visit of fourth-bottom Norwich City.