Aston Villa took a big step towards Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened West Ham at Villa Park.
John McGinn's measured finish from 20 yards out put Villa in control in what was a dominant first-half performance by Unai Emery's side and a poacher's effort from Ollie Watkins in the second half sealed the points.
Villa had seen their rivals for the Champions League places slip up and by becoming the only team in the top six to win this weekend, they move five points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool. After three Premier League defeats, it was a massive moment in their season.
For West Ham, they miss the chance to move out of the relegation zone and see Nottingham Forest move three points clear of them following their win at Tottenham, who now look like the team to chase. Spurs remain only the one point above the Hammers.
Jean-Clair Todibo was a late withdrawal for West Ham and Nuno Espirito Santo changed formation to bring in Freddie Potts. His side never got to grips with the game in a one-sided first half, needing a colossal display from Konstantinos Mavropanos to stay in it.
The Greek centre-back cleared twice off the line but even he could not keep out McGinn's shot from just outside the box, passed into the corner when Jadon Sancho squared the ball into his path. The captain's return from injury has invigorated Villa.
He was standing over the ball on the penalty spot soon after when referee Paul Tierney inexplicably adjudged Mavropanos to have fouled Ollie Watkins inside the box. The tackle was expertly executed and it meant Villa still had to work to do in the second half.
West Ham improved following the introduction of Callum Wilson and Adama Traore at the interval, Pablo firing over when well placed. But they were punished when Amadou Onana tackled Jarrod Bowen, springing Morgan Rogers to run at the Irons defence.
Mads Hermansen should have dealt with Rogers' shot but could only parry the ball with Watkins gobbling up the chance. The Villa striker finds himself out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad, his World Cup hopes fading, so this goal was a welcome response.
The same could be said of Villa as a team. Emery had never lost four league games in a row. He still hasn't. His side look Champions League bound once more. For West Ham, it could be the Championship if they turn in too many performances like this one.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking in the press conference:
"Not a good performance. First half, never comfortable in the game, we lose duels, we arrive late to the press, we didn't break them, side to side but not break.
"Slightly improved second half, we had half chances but not enough to change the dynamic of the game. We lost to a team that were better than us.
"We expected much more from ourselves."
On Todibo: "It's always a problem to lose a player in the warm-up, it changes things, we had to change the shape."
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to Your Site:
"I'm delighted how the players responded. Fantastic. We set the challenge not only to win, but to recover collectively and be able to feel confident and comfortable in our structure to win the match.
"I think maybe it was the best first half we have played here at home this year. We stopped them because they were performing very well.
"I think we did everything like we planned to try to win through how we were playing, how we were dominating, how we were avoiding transitions, avoiding the momentum to get into our box.
"I'm really so happy because of how we are being consistent over 31 matches."
On Watkins: "He's a fighter and today he played a fantastic game. He must keep going forward. The national team is something every player is very grateful for, but we must accept sometimes they are in and sometimes not.
"Now he must be focused with us to recover his confidence, his numbers and he will be close to being back with the national team."
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins speaking to Your Site:
"Everyone wants to play for their country but I expected that.
"My form hasn't been that great, but I know what I can do. Everyone knows what I can do when I've got on an England shirt.
"I feel like I've done myself some favours. I feel like I've always performed well and I know what I can bring to the team.
"I'm capable of going on a long goalscoring run so I'm not ruling myself out for that [the World Cup]."
