John Carew became an instant hero with the Aston Villa fans when he scored on his home debut to plunge West Ham deeper into relegation trouble.

Carew had what appeared to be a legitimate goal ruled out against Newcastle in midweek but he made no mistake nine minutes from half-time against Alan Curbishley's side.

The former Lyon striker was a constant threat before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation with 20 minutes remaining, after helping to pile the misery on the Hammers.

But it needed two superb late saves from Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to deny Curbishley's men a share of the spoils.

Overall Villa deserved to register what was only their second win in 14 league games and they have now moved above the 30-point mark to allay any fears of being dragged into a relegation battle.

They showed some some admirable flair and purpose, with Carew and Ashley Young shining, and they were not flattered by the tight scoreline.

Gavin McCann won the midfield battle in typically unfussy style while Olof Mellberg and Wilfred Bouma were solid performers at the back.

West Ham seldom threatend to rescue a point until a late rally almost pulled the game out of the fire.

O'Neill left his latest signing, £1million striker Shaun Maloney from Celtic, on the bench and instead kept faith with the side which had played well in defeat at Newcastle.

Villa made a bright start start and Gabriel Agbonlahor made good ground down the right wing before delivering a dangerous low centre but nobody was on hand to apply the finising touch, while Stiliyan Petrov lashed a powerful volley from 30 yards just past the post.

Carroll was called into meaningful action for the first time when he tipped away a shot from Young after he had cut in from right.

Carew showed his power to reach the byline before cutting back an inviting cross for Young but Luis Boa Morte got back to put in a crucial challenge.

Matthew Upson's Villa Park injury curse struck again after 28 minutes when the Hammers' £7.5 million signing injured an ankle on his debut after falling awkwardly.

He had suffered a ruptured achilles in the warm-up when playing for Birmingham last April.

Carew was creating a favourable impression and after 36 minutes the 27-year-old collected Young's pass before holding off Calum Davenport and driving his shot past Roy Carroll, although the keeper did get a hand to the ball.

Villa were now on top and Carew was only just too high with a header from a Barry cross. It led to a furious Carroll rushing out of his area to berate Jonathan Spector for allowing England call-up Gareth Barry the time and space to cross.

Nigel Reo-Coker became the first player to be cautioned in first half injury-time for a lunge at Agbonlahor.

Carew continued to impress and his first time touch allowed Barry time to run at the Hammers defence but his low shot was straight at Carroll.

Young was also looking sharp and the former Watford striker anticipated a through pass from Barry and his first-time shot contained plenty of power but drifted wide.

Spector blocked another attempt from Young at the expense of a corner and Agbonlahor headed over from a cross from Bouma who was having another solid game at left-back.

McCann came within inches of doubling Villa's lead just after the hour mark when Carroll was well beaten by a low left-footed shot which fizzed past the post.

Curbishley opted for a double substitution after an hour, bringing on Marlon Harewood and Matthew Etherington in place of Kepa Blanco and Boa Morte.

Carroll tippled over a pile-driver from Petrov while substitute Patrick Berger had the ball in the net but was penalised for stepping offside.

West Ham finally came to life and Thomas Sorensen made two superb saves to deny Matthew Etherington and Davenport at point-blank range while Bouma deflected a George McCartney header onto his own crossbar.

Teams:

Aston Villa Sorensen, Bardsley, Mellberg, Cahill, Bouma,Petrov, McCann, Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew (Berger 73),Young (Ridgewell 90).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Davis, Maloney.

Goals: Carew 36.

West Ham Carroll, Spector, Davenport, Upson (Dailly 30),McCartney, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Quashie,Boa Morte (Etherington 61), Zamora, Blanco (Harewood 60).

Subs Not Used: Green, Mullins.

Booked: Reo-Coker.

Att: 41,202

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).