Aston Villa are now undefeated in their past six WSL games against West Ham
At a glance
Hanson breaks deadlock with stunner
Wilms free-kick secures Villa's first win
West Ham lose seventh successive WSL game
Two stunning strikes earned Aston Villa a first victory of the Women's Super League season and condemned winless West Ham to a seventh straight league defeat.
A tight encounter looked destined for a draw until the hour mark, when Kirsty Hanson arrowed a shot into the top corner following a short routine involving Lynn Wilms.
Dutch defender Wilms doubled Villa's lead seven minutes later with her first WSL goal, a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area finding the same corner of Kinga Szemik's goal.
Chasity Grant hit the post as Villa looked to fill their boots having scored just twice in their previous four games in all competitions.
Though West Ham started strongly, Villa could have been two goals up by half-time had Anouk Denton not denied Rachel Daly a tap-in with a superb block, and Hanson converted on the stretch with the goal gaping.
West Ham spurned a great early chance when Shekiera Martinez blazed over from six yards, before captain Katrina Gorry saw her powerful strike tipped away by Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo.
Rehanne Skinner's side's worst ever start to a WSL season continues as they sit rock bottom of the table with zero points after five games. Villa move up to eigth with five points from four outings.
Analysis: Villa show improvement as West Ham pay for missed chances
After a slow start to the season, Villa boss Natalia Arroyo will be pleased her side built on the point they earned against Arsenal with a last-gasp goal last weekend.
Though West Ham's pressing appeared to disrupt her side's build-up play in the early stages, Villa settled and looked the stronger side against an opponent that faced 66 shots across their previous four games.
Losing Jill Baijings to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last week was a major blow for Villa, but the dynamic performance of her replacement Hanson emphasised the depth of quality in Arroyo's squad.
On Thursday, Rehanne Skinner spoke of the positive aspects of West Ham's performances this season, but a stat line of zero points, two goals scored and 16 conceded in five games does not paint a pretty picture.
Martinez's glaring miss goes some way to summing up the Hammers' season - last term she scored 10 goals in 12 WSL appearances, but she is yet to find the net this term.
Their issues in front of goal were compounded when Viviane Asseyi's diving header at the far post went wide.
The good thing for West Ham is that they are not yet adrift at the bottom of the table - Liverpool remain pointless after losing 1-0 to London City Lionesses.
What's next for both teams?
West Ham host Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup on Wednesday, 8 October (19:00 BST), before making the short journey across London to face London City Lionesses in the WSL on Sunday, 12 October (12:00 BST).
Aston Villa take on Leicester City at Villa Park on Sunday, 12 October (12:00 BST).
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