Tom Cleverley's third goal in three games gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win over West Ham United at Villa Park that takes them four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

Villa, who have dramatically improved under Tim Sherwood, started brightly, making most of the early running and carving out several opportunities to take a lead.

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Leandro Bacuna nearly took one early chance in spectacular fashion, but his curling 30-yard free kick flew narrowly wide of goal.

Cleverley then collected Charles N'Zogbia's pass and lashed a half-volley at goal that was beaten away by Adrian, before Christian Benteke somehow failed to find the back of the next from just six yards with the goal at his mercy.

However, Villa got the breakthrough when the lively Jack Grealish beat his man and swung a cross across the face of goal that was fired home by the arriving Cleverley.

Jores Okore had to be alert to keep out a dangerous Carl Jenkinson cross just before the break as the Hammers fought their way back into the game, but it remained 1-0 at the break.

Half-time substitutes Alex Song and Nene combined well just after the restart, allowing the former Paris Saint-Germain striker to hammer an effort narrowly over the top of Shay Given's goal.

At the other end, N'Zogbia's mazy run took him clear of the Hammers defence, but he could only find the side-netting with his shot, before Given was then called into action as he tipped a James Collins header behind.

Enner Valencia thought that he had levelled the game just after the hour mark, only to see his effort ruled out for offside, though replays seemed to indicate that he may have been level.

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Either way, it was clear that West Ham were a different side with Song on the pitch, with the midfielder marshalling Grealish with authority.

Time was running out for the Hammers though, and their last chance came when Given clawed away a Nene cross-come-shot to secure the win for Villa.