Hines snatches win for Hammers

Hines fired home after a fine run by Scott Parker as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

Mark Noble had put the struggling home side in front from the penalty spot in first-half injury time. England goalkeeper Robert Green then saved Ashley Young's 49th minute spot-kick before the Villa winger atoned for his error with a curling 25-yard equaliser two minutes later.

Green pulled off a magnificent save when West Ham half cleared a corner and Stiliyan Petrov volleyed the ball towards goal from fully 30 yards. The ball took a deflection on its way towards the top corner but somehow Green managed to get his fingertips in the way.

Villa were in the ascendancy in the first half and it got worse for the Hammers in the 31st minute when England international Carlton Cole collected an injury and had to be replaced by Hines.

But West Ham were given a penalty in first-half injury time when Habib Beye brought down Hines. Beye was booked and Noble sent his spot-kick into the roof of the net to give the home side the lead against the run of play.

In the 49th minute referee Steve Bennett was at the centre of controversy when he awarded Villa penalty. Manuel Da Costa appeared to have headed the ball clear but Bennett clearly thought his feet had come into contact with James Collins.

None of the other Villa players appealed for the spot-kick but Bennett waved away West Ham's furious appeals. But justice was seen to be done for the home side when Young's penalty was superbly kept out by Green. The England goalkeeper dived low to his left to parry it to safety to the delight of home fans.

Their euphoria was shortlived, however, when Young made up for his penalty miss with a superb equaliser in the 51st minute. The Villa winger sent a curling shot over the head of Green and into the top corner to put the visitors on level terms.

But it was West Ham who grabbed the decider when Hines fired Parker's pass into the roof of the net.