The referre fin ally puts Villa out of their misery and ends a thoroughly dominant performance from the home side.

Sheringham fees Yossi Benayoun down the left channel who completely bamboozles HUghes before sliding the ball past Sorensen

The visitors come forward again looking for a consolation but Steven Davis drilled shot goes just wide.

Villa are really trying anything now but Wilfred Bouma's ambitious 30-yard curler is caught by Roy Carroll

Baros lacks support and tries his luck from distance but Carroll makes a comfortable save.

David O'leary makes one final substitution and brings on Lee Hendrie for Gavin McCann

West Ham break forward again through Reo-Coker but with numbers in support the midfielder blasts a shot high and wide.

Pardew decides to take off the hat-trick hero and bring on Bobby Zamora in his place.

West Ham pass the ball around nicely and eventually find Mullins but his ambitious 30-yard effort goes well over

This game has long looked over for Villa as they are still yet to seriously trouble the home side.

Matthew Etherington has picked up a knock and is unable to contiue and is replaced by Shaun Newton.

The visitors are enjoying some possession but the Hammers are defending strongly and keeping Villa in check

Villa finally carve out a chance when Milner flicks on for Baros but Carroll makes a good save.

Villa make a second change and bring on Patrik Berger for Gareth Barry

Aston Villa force a corner but Gavin McCann can't get obver the ball and heads into the crowd

West Ham have been on top all over the pitch and the midfield is not allowing Villa any time to get things going.

Villa make a change and take off Kevin Phillips and bring on Juan Pablo Angel.

West Ham survive a brief period of pressure from the visitors and are now looking to add to their tally.

Villa try to find a way back but Gavin McCann's volley from the edge of the box is deflected over by Mullins.

Thomas Sorensen misjudges a cross from the right and misses his punch, allowing Harewood a simple tap-in to complete his hat-trick

Villa feed the ball out to Milner on the right and his cross hits both posts before falling to Phillips who slams into the side netting.

There are no changes at half-time and West Ham get the game restarted

West Ham have dominated the opening half with Villa offering little threat and deservedly go in front at the break

Aston Villa attack looking for something befoer the break but James Milner's curling shot is saved well by Carroll.

West Ham break forward again through Hayden Mullins but his 25-yard shot is saved by Sorensen.

Villa have regrouped since those two quick goals but still can't impose themselves on a solid home side.

A scramble ensues following a corner and the ball eventually breaks to Barry but he wildly slashes over the bar.

Aston Villa are losing the battle in midfield and are struggling to get anything going, West Ham are looking comfortable

The corner comes in from the left, Ferdinand heads back towards the goal and Marlon Harewood beats Sorensen to the ball to score.

Repka whips in a wicked cross that Hughes just manages to head over for a corner

Harewood nods the ball back for Sheringham who heads the ball over the top for Harewood to run onto and he coolly slides the ball under Sorensen

Etherington and Konchesky combine well down the left and the latter's cross is fizzed across the goal and falls to Benayoun but he horribly mis-kicks

Gareth Barry is a touch late on a challenge on Tomas Repka and is the first player into the ref's notebook.

West Ham have certainly started the brighter of the two sides but there are signs that Villa are settling into the game.

West Ham break quickly and a clever Sheringham dummy sets up Benayoun but his shot lacks power and Sorensen saves easily.

The home side are on the offensive again and a Ridgewell clearance falls to Repka but his shot goes high into the stands.

West Ham attack again and a Mellberg challenge breaks to Konchesky but his 30-yard effort is comfortably gathered by Sorensen

It has been a promising start from the home side but as yet neither team has settled.

Kevin Phillips has a chance when West Ham dither ovder a clearance by Sorensen but Phillips can't get the ball under control

Olaf Mellberg gives the ball away sloppily to Matthew Etherington but his shot is always rising.

Gareth Barry swings over the cross but Milan Baros can't keep his header down.

Kevin Phillips has the first shot of the game but it is deflected behind for a corner.

The referee blows his whistle and Aston Villa get the game underway.