Grealish and Cleverley combine to give Villa win over West Ham

Aston Villa took another step to survival with a 1-0 win over West Ham at Villa Park, with Tom Cleverley scoring.

West Ham appeared ready for their holidays from the outset, idling on the pitch but rarely making an effort recreate the form of their early-season performances.

Villa, on the other hand, still had something to play for with the race for relegation exceptionally tight. Jack Grealish helped put Villa ahead when he reached the byline and pulled back for Cleverley to tap into an empty net.

In the second half, Nene volleyed over, and a James Collins header was tipped over from a corner, but Aston Villa also had a chance. Charles N’Zogbia beat two defenders with a run into the box, but couldn’t squeeze a shot on target from a tight angle.

Grealish impressed for Villa, drawing fouls on the left wing, and almost setting up Gabriel Agbonlahor with a great ball over the top that he could not convert as Aaron Cresswell covered.

12’ - ADRIAN SAVE - Delph's cross to Cleverley, pulling off at the back, is volleyed towards the far corner, and Adrian leaps to his right to save.

27’ - DELPH VOLLEY - Benteke chests down, lays it off to Delph, but his strike is straight at Adrian.

31’ - GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham. Cleverley scores - Jack Grealish drives from the inside left into the box towards the byline. He holds off a defender and picks out Cleverley, two yards out, and he taps in.

49’ - NENE VOLLEY - Nene fires a shot at goal from 25 yards. It keeps rising but is only a yard or so over.

54’ - N’ZOGBIA MISS - N'Zogbia reaches loose ball down the right of the box, and he takes on two defenders and squeezes a shot past Cresswell and into the side-netting.

59’ - GIVEN SAVE - Vlaar concedes a silly corner on the left wing. Nolan swings in, Collins heads at goal and forces Given to tip over.

85’ - WESTWOOD SHOT - Villa keep possession with some passign around West Ham's box, which ends with Westwood clipping a low shot just wide from outside the box.

West Ham United have won none of their last 11 Barclays Premier League away games (W0 D5 L6).

West Ham have played 38 times against Aston Villa in the Premier League without ever earning a red card, the most games by a team who has not picked up a dismissal against a certain opponent.

Tom Cleverley has scored in three consecutive PL appearances after not finding the net in his preceding 37 outings.

Two thirds of West Ham’s Premier League points (31/50) were won before Xmas this season – they have won just 16 points in their 19 PL games since.

Tim Sherwood is one of only 12 managers to have taken charge of 30+ Premier League games and have won more than half of them.

Only one of Aston Villa’s goals this season have been scored or assisted by a substitute; fewer than any other team.

Results elsewhere have helped Aston Villa. Villa can feel a little better with Newcastle and Hull struggling, even if Sunderland were victorious. Tim Sherwood has got them playing without self-loathing and some kind of ambition. He has been helped by the return to form of Christian Benteke, but he has given Jack Grealish the chance to learn on the pitch, and has been rewarded by an enjoyably exciting young prospect.

Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa): He has now found his level. Deceptively old, he has the style and talents to play well for an attacking team in the bottom half of the Premier League. He’s not going to be popular in Spain, but he has now shown after a couple of years of criticism that he can serve a purpose for a team, rather than hold back a more talented group of players with his limitations.

Aston Villa: Given 7, Bacuna 6, Okore 6, Vlaar 6, Richardson 6, Westwood 6, Cleverley 7, Delph 6, N'Zogbia 6, Grealish 7, Benteke 6. Subs: Agbonlahor 6, Hutton 6, Sanchez 6.

West Ham: Adrian 6, Jenkinson 6, Burke , Collins , Cresswell 6, Kouyate 6, Nolan 5, Noble 5, Amalfitano 6, Downing 5, Valencia 5. Subs: Nene 6, Song 5, Cole 6.