Barclays Premier League

VILLA NAIL HAMMERS

Aston Villa have climbed out of the bottom three after their first Premier League victory in nine matches. The opening 45 minutes was a turgid affair, but the second half was full of drama. Firstly, Andy Carroll saw his effort cleared off the line by substitute Darren Bent before the hosts were awarded a penalty as Charles N'Zogbia was brought down in the area by Mark Noble. Christian Benteke bagged his 15th goal of the season with a cool finish. Paul Lambert's side doubled their advantage thanks to a sublime free-kick from N'Zogbia. His left-footer from 25 yards flew over the wall and past Jussi Jaaskelainen into the top corner. The visitors pulled one back thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Ashley Westwood, but Villa held on to record a much-needed win.

FULL-TIME

Mark Clattenburg brings an end to the game and Aston Villa beat West Ham 2-1 after a dramatic second half at Villa Park.

LAST CHANCE SALOON

West Ham thump the ball upfield as the Villa fans whistle for full-time. Still play goes on as the Hammers launch the ball in the box and Brad Guzan makes a super stop. The American then makes an even better stop from the resulting corner from Carlton Cole's near post header.

CLARK BOOKED

Ciaran Clark handles the ball and is shown a yellow card by Mark Clattenburg. Joe Cole launches it in the box, but Brad Guzan makes a brave catch.

STOPPAGE TIME

The board goes up on the touchline from fourth official Michael Oliver which shows a further FOUR minutes will be added on at the end of this game.

OWN GOAL

West Ham are thrown a lifeline with just a couple of minutes remaining as Joe Cole's inswinging ball is flicked into his own net by Ashley Westwood with Brad Guzan at full stretch.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

OWN GOAL!!! ASHLEY WESTWOOD

WEST HAM CHANCE

The Hammers' corner is knocked down to Ricardo Vaz Te on the edge of the area, who blasts his right-foot drive inches wide of the far post.

VILLA CHANGE

Charles N'Zogbia is being replaced by another new man, Yacouba Sylla, who made his debut at Everton last weekend.

CLOCK TICKING

With the clock ticking, Villa are on course for their first home win since the victory against Reading back in November. The three points would also help them leapfrog the Royals and out of the relegation zone.

ANOTHER PENALTY SHOUT

The home fans are in full voice as Villa come forward again through Simon Dawkins who claims he is brought down by James Tomkins in the box, but nothing is given.

MAGNIFICENT FREE-KICK

From the resulting free-kick, Charles N'Zogbia sends his left-foot effort over the wall and past Jussi Jaaskelainen into the top corner for a stunning goal and Villa double their advantage.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

CHARLES N'ZOGBIA

SUB AND BOOKING

Carlton Cole has replaced Mark Noble while Winston Reid has been booked by referee Mark Clattenburg for a fould on Darren Bent.

COOL CHRISTIAN

Christian Benteke rolls the ball calmly into the far corner with his right-foot with Jussi Jaaskelainen going the other way. He has now scored in five successive appearances for Villa in all competitions.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

PENALTY TO VILLA

Mark Noble brings down Charles N'Zogbia in the box and referee Mark Clattenburg points to the spot.

BAKER BOOKING

Nathan Baker is booked for a late challenge on Joe Cole, who goes straight down in front of the visiting fans.

GAME IS STRETCHED

Christian Benteke is put through on goal, but he drags his right-foot effort wide of the mark. The flag was up on the far side in any case, but the game is suddenly stretched.

HAMMERS CHANGE

Ricardo Vaz Te comes on for Matt Taylor as manager Sam Allardyce responds to the Villa double change.

OFF THE LINE

West Ham win a corner and the delivery falls to Andy Carroll, who takes his time before sending his left-foot shot towards the far post, but substitute Darren Bent is in the right position to make the all important clearance.

JUST WIDE

Christian Benteke finds Charles N'Zogbia in space out wide and he cuts inside, before lashing his effort just wide of the far post with Jussi Jaaskelainen beaten.

SUBSTIUTUTIONS

Darren Bent and Simon Dawkins come on for Villa in a double change for Paul Lambert's side. Andreas Weimann and Jordan Bowery are replaced.

SOLID PUNCH

Brad Guzan punches Guy Demel's right-foot cross away, but only into the path of Kevin Nolan, whose goalbound shot is well blocked.

HEADS UP

Referee Mark Clattenburg awards a free-kick to West Ham after Nathan Baker fouls Joe Cole and from that, they win a corner kick. However, Matt Taylor's ball is headed away, but the visitors still have possession.

VILLA RESPITE

Some respite for Villa as Jordan Bowery's cross is knocked out for a corner. Christian Benteke climbs highest, but is just unable to grow enough to get a firm head to the ball.

HAMMERS PRESSURE

Seconds later Ciaran Clark makes another superb clearance from Mohamed Diame's low ball into the box as the pressure from West Ham builds. Suddenly the home fans are in fine voice as they get behind their side.

CLARK CLEARS

Jordan Bowery gives the ball away to Mohamed Diame, who wins his side another corner. Matt Taylor's high ball is cleared and then Ciaran Clark comes to Villa's rescue with a well-timed clearance.

COMMANDING DEFENDING

Joe Cole's cross goes out for a throw to West Ham and Jordan Bowery takes no chances with a firm header over his own crossbar. The resulting low corner by Matt Taylor is hacked to safety.

BIG BOYS IN THE BOX

This game needs a goal so desperately. West Ham have come out a different team as Guy Demel's cross looks to find Andy Carroll but Ron Vlaar puts him off with a strong challenge.

HANDBALL SHOUT

There have been no changes by either side at the break, but there are plenty of the options on the bench. West Ham win their first corner pf the match and Christian Benteke heads away at the near post. The ball comes back in and this time James Tomkins claims a handball, but referee Mark Clattenburg waves play on.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

The second half is underway at Villa Park then and let's hope for better from both teams. Villa have scored just two goals in their last seven Premier League matches at home and they have conceded the highest proportion of second half goals of any team in the Premier League (69%). Three points for the hosts would send them out of the relegation zone in this crucial half for them. West Ham have scored just five goals in their last nine games away from home, so I wouldn't blame you all for predicting a goalless draw this afternoon!

VERY POOR ENCOUNTER

The opening 45 minutes have been turgid to say the least with Sam Allardyce's side surely the happier of the two sides. Villa should have made a dream start after Christian Benteke's shot was spilled by Jussi Jaaskelainen into the path of Andreas Weimann, but the Austrian international contrived to miss the target from eight-yards out. Andy Carroll has had a couple of sighters at goal, but the visitors have shown just why they have scored just seven Premier League away goals this season.

HALF-TIME

Referee Mark Clattenburg blows his whistle to bring an end to the half.

WILD THING

Andy Carroll turns on the edge of the box before lashing his left-foot effort high and wide of the near post. That gets a big cheer from the Holte End.

YELLOW CARD

Emanuel Pogatetz is booked on his West Ham debut after bringing Charles N'Zogbia down after he looked to break away. There will be FOUR added minutes of stoppage time in this first-half.

POOR TOUCH

Andreas Weimann is caught in an offside position as he was just on his way back. Now, Jordan Bowery applies the pressure and Villa break, although it comes to an end as Andreas Weimann's touch lets him down. The wind and rain has arrived in the west Midlands, but the quality of football is negligible right now.

JUST OVER

At the other end, Ron Vlaar meets Ashley Westwood's corner at the near post, but fails to keep the ball down as he rises above the crossbar. Bit of a half chance to the home side.

EXCELLENT DEFENDING

Lots of mistakes by both teams but West Ham create a chance this time as Guy Demel's cross is cut out superbly by defender Ciaran Clark. Brad Guzan collects the loose ball and the visitors decide against appealing for a back pass.

COMMANDING CATCH

James Tomkins launches the ball high into the box after West Ham win a free-kick on halfway, but goalkeeper Brad Guzan makes the call to his back four and catches well.

SIDE NETTING

More positive football by West Ham this time as they break through Matthew Taylor, who finds the run of Mohamed Diame, but the Senegal international smashes his left-foot shot into the side netting. It was possibly the wrong choice, especially as they had players waiting in the box.

HAMMERS FRUSTRATION

The West Ham fans in the Doug Ellis stand are letting Sam Allardyce know what they think as they launch the ball forward for Andy Carroll, rather than play their normal passing game.

GOOD PRESSURE

Villa pass the ball about neatly, but can't quite set Christian Benteke up with a chance to get a shot away at goal. Moments later, Villa are awarded a free-kick by referee Mark Clattenburg, but James Tomkins makes an important block which allows the visitors to clear their lines.

EARLY SUBSTITUTION

Guy Demel replaces the injured Joey O'Brien at full-back for West Ham, while James Tomkins is back on his feet after that knock to the face.

BOOT IN THE FACE

Mohamed Diame looks to get away down the left before he's eventually tackled by Matt Lowton. Joey O'Brien hobbles down the touchline and now James Tomkins takes a smack in the face from Fabian Delph's boot.

HARD WORKING BAKER

Applause in the 19th minute for Villa's Stiliyan Petrov, from both sets of supporters too and that's followed by a big roar as the Holte End urge Villa forward. Great work by Nathan Baker as he clashes into Joey O'Brien after hunting down the ball.

HARMLESSLY OVER

Emanuel Pogatetz brings down Fabian Delph this time and Ashley Westwood's outswinger is headed over by Christian Benteke - who is clearly the danger man, having reached double figures this season.

SCRAPPY CONTEST

The Hammers are in search of their first away victory since early November, but Villa are dominating these early stages. Fabian Delph concedes a cheap free-kick after losing possession of the ball. The game has got very scrappy in the last few minutes.

VILLA PRESSING

The defender is soon back on his feet and straight into the thick of the action going up with Andy Carroll. Villa are pressing West Ham well as the men in sky blue panic and James Tomkins slams the ball out of play for a throw.

BAKER BAKED

Andreas Weimann sprints away down the left-hand side and James Tomkins slides in again for hand Villa a corner. The initial cross comes to nothing, but they soon win another one after a mistake by Joey O'Brien. However, Nathan Baker takes a knock to his head and is in need of some medical attention.

GOOD FOOTBALL

Victory for Aston Villa would send them out of the bottom three, while the Hammers are looking for back-to-back wins. James Tomkins comes across to make a solid sliding challenge and now Christian Benteke is caught in an offside position after the hosts kept possession well.

CLOSE CALL

A high ball into the Aston Villa penalty area causes all sorts of problems as Joe Cole wins the initial knock down before Andy Carroll can only direct the ball onto the roof of the net. But an early warning to the home side.

WHAT A MISS

Paul Lambert holds his hands on his head in disbelief after watching Andreas Weimann miss a sitter from six-yards out. Christian Benteke's shot was parried by Jussi Jaaskelainen into the Austrian's path, but he somehow contrived to miss the target!

DIFFERENT SYSTEMS

West Ham have flooded the midfield in an attempt to sufforcate Villa in a 4-3-3 formation with two of the front three dropping into the middle of the park and being used as wing-backs. Villa have lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation after dropping the 5-3-2 system. Andreas Weimann is expected to play just behind Christian Benteke.

WE'RE UNDERWAY

Villa - wearing their traditional claret and blue home kit - have won just one of their last nine Premier League games heading into this one. Meanwhile, West Ham - in their sky blue away shirts, shorts and socks - are without a win in seven on the road, so something has to give this afternoon. The pitch is in immaculate condition here at Villa Park, while the supporters of both teams are in full voice, although it's not quite a sell-out.

TEAM NEWS

Paul Lambert makes three changes to his Villa side which drew 3-3 at Everton last weekend. Fabian Delph has recovered from an ankle injury after a two-game absence and starts in midfield with Karim El Ahmadi dropping out altogether. Nathan Baker comes in to the backline for Joe Bennett and Jordan Bowery - signed for £600,000 from League Two Chesterfield in the summer makes his first Premier League start with Gabby Agbonlahor out with illness. Sam Allardyce makes two changes for this clash. He hands a full debut to former Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz, who signed for the club on loan from VfL Wolfsburg until the end of the season, while Joe Cole is also re-called to the starting XI. Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te drop to the bench. Andy Carroll, as expected, leads the line after scoring the winner in last weekend's home game against Swansea.

TEAMS

ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Baker, Clark, Vlaar, Lowton, Bowery, Westwood, Delph, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Benteke. SUBSTITUTES: Given, Sylla, Bent, Bannan, Holman, Dawkins, Bennett WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Pogatetz, Noble, Diame, Nolan, J.Cole, Taylor, Carroll. SUBSTITUTES: Spiegel, Demel, O'Neil, Jarvis, Vaz Te, C.Cole, Chamakh.

MATCH PREVIEW

This could be another chastening afternoon for Aston Villa fans as visiting West Ham could subject the home team to an aerial bombardment in this Premier League clash. Paul Lambert's side are currently occupying one of the relegation positions after embarking on a winless run that has now stretched to eight games. And with games against Arsenal and Manchester City up next, the visit of the Hammers is surely entering must-win territory. They will take some heart from last weekend's thrilling 3-3 draw at Everton, but the result still saw Villa throw away a 3-1 lead with just over 20 minutes to play. West Ham, who sit in mid-table, will be desperate to end their poor form away from home where they have lost their last five matches and are without a win in seven on the road. The Hammers have beaten Chelsea and drew against Manchester City this season in a mixed campaign, but have also lost 11 games - one less than Villa and bottom-placed QPR. The hosts have a good record at Villa Park against their opponents - having not lost to them since 2006 - a record that they will hope to continue this afternoon.

LAMBO PRAISES CHRISTIAN

Villa boss Lambert believes striker Christian Benteke's value has increased considerably after an impressive 10 goals for the club this campaign. And the Scot is hopeful the Belgium international, who signed for them in a deal worth around £7m from Genk in the summer can inspire the west Midlanders to stay up this season. He said: "When the guy came into Villa, people were saying to me 'who is he and why are you going for someone from Genk?' With what he's done, he's a cult hero already. He's only 22 and he's got years and years ahead of him. He's not at his peak, but what he's done for me and for the club is fantastic. If someone wanted to buy Christian, they'd better have a few quid in their pocket. He's not just going to walk out of here for the value he came for, that's for sure. We have given him the opportunity to show what he can do and I think he is loving his football at the moment."

BIG SAM AIMING FOR DOUBLE

Sam Allardyce brings West Ham to Villa Park knowing that victory would hand them back-to-back wins for the first time this season and also give them a Premier League double over their opponents. He said: "We go there in good heart and buoyed by the return to fitness of Andy Carroll, who was outstanding in our victory over Swansea last weekend. As I always say, if your striker plays well, the team play well. With no game the following weekend, we then go to Dubai for a few days of warm weather training, which I believe is imperative at this time of the season, to prepare the lads for the final big push of the season."

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Fabian Delph has recovered from an ankle injury after a two-game absence and is included in the squad and fellow midfielder Karim El Ahmadi has also shaken off a knock to the knee sustained during the draw at Everton last weekend. A fitness check is due on midfielder Ashley Westwood, who is suffering from illness, but hopes of a return for defender Richard Dunne have been dashed by a recurrence of his persistent groin problem. Although defensive duo James Collins (hamstring) and George McCartney (knee) are still out there are no fresh injury concerns with all of the Hammers' internationals having returned from midweek duty unscathed. Andy Carroll is expected to lead the line after scoring the winner in last weekend's home game against Swansea while Modibo Maiga is back at the club following Mali's exit from the Africa Cup of Nations but is unlikely to feature.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The referee in charge of this encounter is Mark Clattenburg. The 37-year-old from County Durham has shown more red cards than any other official this season - six in 14 games - as well as 40 yellows. He will be joined by fellow Englishmen Stephen Child and Simon Beck who will be his assistant referees, while the fourth official on the touchline is Michael Oliver.