Terry Lambert: Are West Ham trying to lose the Europa League fair play spot with their constant fouling and moaning at Villa?

Well, they've had no bookings so far.

Image source, .

The good news for Villa is that if they can keep it like this, they will climb out of the bottom six.

A couple more West Ham set-pieces, and Villa do not look comfortable here at all. Keeper Shay Given scrambles a Cheikhou Kouyate header around the post from Aaron Cresswell's free-kick. From Amalfitano's resulting corner, Kevin Nolan fouls Given just as the visitors are appealing for a penalty as Enner Valencia goes down inside the area under Leandro Bacuna's challenge. Decent game, this.

Image source, PA

It looks as if a set-piece offers West Ham's best hope of a way back at the moment. Morgan Amalfitano floats in a corner that causes consternation in the home defence before they clear.

Amalfitano, who used to play not far from here at West Brom, then aims a naughty kick at Tom Cleverley off the ball. Referee Lee Mason doesn't see it.

BBC Final Score

Former England striker James Beattie on BBC Final Score: "You have seen it with Christian Benteke and now you are seeing it with Tom Cleverley. Tim Sherwood has given the players confidence and told them they are good players.

"If you give the players freedom to express themselves on the pitch this is what you get. Tim has gone in there and done a fantastic man-management job. A few weeks ago Aston Villa were clearly in a false position."

Tom Broughton: Is Cameron celebrating that goal?

Some more good news for Villa. Relegation rivals Newcastle, who have lost eight league games in a row, are behind again. Victor Anichebe has given West Brom the lead at St James' Park.

Image source, Getty Images

What a run Tom Cleverley is on at the moment - that's three goals in three games for the Aston Villa midfielder. Jack Grealish gets clear down the left to square across the six-yard box, and it's an easy finish for Cleverley. West Ham dozing, Villa possibly taking a big step towards safety.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Steven Froggatt on BBC London: "West Ham, to me, look as if they're carrying one player. The way Kevin Nolan's breathing, he looks like he's played 180 minutes already. He doesn't look fit enough to play at this level."

West Ham continue to spend more time near their own goal. Now Christian Benteke controls a cross and lays it off for Fabian Delph to shoot straight at Adrian from the edge of the area.

If I were a betting man, which I'm not, I know where I'd be putting my money for the first goal, and it wouldn't be with West Ham.

Image source, Getty Images

No doubt that Villa are pushing for an opening here. Fabian Delph has half a sight of goal, but James Collins and Reece Burke do enough between them to clear.

Sam Allardyce, seated in the West Ham dugout, looks calm enough at the moment - he's presumably content that his defenders can handle the pressure.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Steve Froggatt on BBC London: "Villa have played so many diagonal balls up towards Christian Benteke that it has to be a tactic. They're looking to stretch the two centre-halves, particularly with young Reece Burke's lack of experience."

The Heed Saddler: Sherwood: Villa have the "best midfielder in the country" - Delph - and "best striker in Europe" - Benteke. Yet still near bottom?

Image source, EPA

Villa's revival has been built on the goals of Christian Benteke, who has scored 10 times in his last eight matches - and was named Premier League player of the month for April.

"I don't know if there's a better striker in Europe right now," Sherwood said yesterday. "He's the best."

A bold claim. But then Benteke was good enough to make Garth Crooks' team of the week last weekend.

Again Christian Benteke gets in behind the West Ham defence, but this time fractionally mistimes the run and is flagged offside. In any case, he hits the post.

As if to prove Steve Froggatt's point, Benteke immediately gets on to a Jores Okore knock down from a free-kick and has a sight of goal, but slices wide of the near post as Collins tries to close him down.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Steve Froggatt on BBC London: "Villa have dominated the early possession and chances. West Ham are showing Christian Benteke far too much respect. James Collins needs to get closer to him."

Adrian has had a superb season in West Ham's goal, and he's alert here to beat away Tom Cleverley's bouncing right-foot volley from Fabian Delph's left-wing cross.

Image source, PA

First West Ham attack of note. Well, I say of note. Morgan Amalfitano tries to combine with Aaron Cresswell down the left, but the Jores Okorepass is overhit and the ball rolls out of play.

Baz Saikia: For me Villa won't compete in the top half of the table as they are too direct in playing to Benteke.