Tim Sherwood's rejuvenated Aston Villa side lead West Ham United at half time thanks to a goal just after the half-hour mark from Tom Cleverley.

Fabian Delph and Charles N'Zogbia combined well in the opening minutes to create some space for Kieran Richardson down the left, but with Villa men waiting in the box the left-back saw his cross turned behind.

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Leandro Bacuna then curled a 30-yard free kick narrowly wide of goal, before N'Zogbia's fierce strike from 12 yards was blocked by Kevin Nolan.

The hosts' bright start continued when N'Zogbia picked out Cleverley, who has scored in each of his last two games, but the on-loan midfielder's volley was beaten away by Adrian.

It was another of Villa's in-form men that squandered the clearest chance to break the deadlock as Christian Benteke fluffed his lines from just six yards following Jores Okore's knockdown from Delph's pass.

However, Villa had the lead their attacking display warranted when Cleverley fired home from Jack Grealish's cross to extend his goalscoring run.

Villa had a scare as Shay Given got involved with some West Ham players at a corner just before the break, but referee Lee Mason took no action.