Jonathan Spector came off the bench in the eighth minute while Brad Friedel was beaten from the penalty spot as the Hammers rode their fortune to three points in midweek action.
Herita Ilunga was chosen over the American Spector, but was forced off due to injury early in the match. Aston Villa had the edge nearing half time, but Habib Beye was adjudged to bring down Zavon Hines inside the box. Mark Noble stepped up to smash home the resulting penalty kick, beating Friedel who had guessed the wrong way.
Four minutes after the halftime Aston Villa were given their own chance at a penalty kick, but Aston Villa hit-man Ashley Young forced a remarkable save from Robert Green to keep the Hammers in the lead. The winger atoned for his miss three minutes later, though, sending in a beautiful 25-yard curling effort that Green had no chance of getting to.
Beye received his second yellow card of the match in the 85th minute, resulting in his dismissal. With the game minutes from ending even, Hines stepped up with injury time winner.
Scott Parker broke into the Villa 18, and slotted his pass to Hines. With three white shirts defending him, the striker used his opponents as blinders to freeze Friedel and put his shot easily into the far corner.
Parker and Guillermo Franco were the only two Hammers booked, while James Collins, Stiliyan Petrov, and Young joined Beye in the referees book.
Up next for West Ham is a weekend test at home against Everton, while Villa host Bolton at Villa Park. |
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