Upton Park Pain for Hammers as Villa Continue Top Four Challenge

Aston Villa further cemented their place in the top four after winning 1-0 away at Upton Park, a result that means West Ham are still without a Premier League home win since September.

A Lucas Neill own goal was enough to separate the two sides, as high flying Villa move up to third, whereas the Hammers are in risk of dropping into the relegation zone, should Manchester City at least get a draw in their game with West Brom.

Both teams had several opportunities to win the match, as fast flowing football and deadly counter attacks meant this game was one of the more exciting 1-0 wins in the EPL this season.

Rather surprisingly, the game had looked to be ending in a goalless stalemate, but James Milner’s hopeful effort on 78 minutes deflected wickedly off Neill, looping over the helpless Robert Green and into the back of the net.

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Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill was delighted to see his side climb up to third in the table after beating West Ham United.

O’Neill praised his side’s battling performance, while conceding his side were lucky when James Milner’s shot deflected so kindly off Lucas Neill.

He said: “We created quite a number of chances on the break in the first half but the game was really open and could have gone either way. We got a bit lucky with the goal at a time when West Ham were pressing us.

“I'm delighted to be third. At the moment it is nice and it would be lovely to just hang in there. Points on the board are very important.

“But I think we've got a lot of work to do. Brad Friedel had a magnificent game for us. He has earned his money. We have a distance to go."

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is certain his side's football will soon be rewarded, despite another defeat.

Zola rued the manner of Villa's winning goal while he praised his players for matching their opponents for much of the game.

"It's very hard," he said. "It's difficult to leave the pitch with nothing when you play like that.

"We had so many chances against a team fourth in the table. We are one place away from the relegation zone but that didn't show on the pitch.

"I'm upset and frustrated for my players because they deserve more. It won't carry on like this. That would be impossible.

"I'm not going to give up on this, we have to be strong and make our own luck. If we play like that it will not go on forever."