New England hero Darius Vassell scored a dramatic injury-time winner to secure a first victory for Graham Taylor since his return as Aston Villa manager.

Vassell, England's star in Holland last month, struck just as Villa looked to have surrendered two more home points in their quest for a UEFA Cup spot.

The striker was first to react to a low centre from Jlloyd Samuel - and he squeezed the ball past his former Villa team-mate David James and into the net.

It was no more than the home side deserved after a performance which showed plenty more purpose and flair than had been evident in the colourless games witnessed earlier this season at Villa Park.

Taylor opted to give a full debut to Thomas Hitzlsperger and the German Under-21 international confirmed the promise he had shown as a substitute against Manchester United the previous weekend.

He played without fear and was twice denied a goal by excellent saves from the on song former Villa 'keeper David James.

But there was also much to admire about the other young blood in the Villa side who are certainly making more use of the flanks in an effort to find the extra ammunition for Angel and Darius Vassell.

Both Gareth Barry, reinstated by Taylor after being frozen out by John Gregory, and Jlloyd Samuel play with freedom down the left and supplied a string of teasing crosses, particularly in the first half.

Up front Vassell, in front of England Under-21 coach David Platt, was a constant threat and gave Ian Pearce problems all afternoon.

But West Ham also played their part in an entertaining match - most notably through Paolo di Canio on his return from suspension.

The Italian was full of trickery and invention as Glenn Roeder opted for a 4-5-1 system but he had little support and Joe Cole had one of his quieter games.

Villa were the first to threaten when Darius Vassell's pace took him past Ian Pearce but he screwed his shot wide after bursting into the penalty area.

But West Ham also looked lively in the early stages and they went ahead in the 12th minute.

Villa central defender Olof Mellberg chopped down Jermain Defoe when in full flight in the penalty area and di Canio, on his return from suspension, coolly sent Peter Schmeichel the wrong way from the spot.

The home side retaliated and Vassell headed wide from close range after a good move involving Gareth Barry and Juan Pablo Angel.

But after 23 minutes Graham Taylor's side were back on level terms. Gareth Barry sent over a superb left-wing cross and Angel rose at the far post to head past David James even though the former Villa keeper got a hand to the ball.

Mustapha Hadji had a 20 yard shot deflected over the bar but the Hammers still posed a threat on the break, most notably through di Canio.

He produced a stunning 30 yard shot out of nothing from wide on the left which formed Schmeichel into a finger-tip save.

But Villa were giving as good as they got and James, booed every time he touched the ball on his return to Villa Park, knew little about a powerful low drive from Hitzlsperger which cannoned back off his body to safety.

Then on the stroke of half-time Angel got on the end of another inviting cross, this time from Jlloyd Samuel, but this time his header was saved by James.

Villa began the second half in the ascendancy and James produced a superb save to finger-tip away a rising shot from Barry after Angel had laid the ball into his path.

Apart from the odd piece of trickery by di Canio, it was now virtual non-stop traffic towards the West Ham goal.

Pearce became the first player to be yellow carded for a challenge on Angel after 55 minutes.

The game went a bit flat although Schmeichel needed to be a alert to hold onto a left footed effort from Defoe.

But Hitzlsperger again showed that he was not afraid to shoot and James pulled off another fine save to turn his low drive around the post.

Cole could have won the game for the Hammers when Schmeichel blocked his 86th minute effort - but then Vassell struck.

Teams:

Aston Villa: Schmeichel, Delaney, Mellberg, Staunton, Samuel, Hadji (Merson 78), Hitzlsperger, Boateng, Barry, Angel, Vassell.

Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Hendrie, Balaban, Kachloul.

Goals: Angel 23, Vassell 90.

West Ham: James, Schemmel, Repka, Pearce, Winterburn, Sinclair, Dailly, Cole, Garcia (Labant 68), Di Canio, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Kitson, Hislop, Minto, McCann.

Booked: Pearce.

Goals: Di Canio 13 pen.

Att: 37,341

Ref: G Barber (Tring).