[goldenHuddlestone]

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill admits he’s glad to have put last Monday’s performance against Tottenham behind him with a win against West Ham this afternoon.

After Villa were involved in an eight goal thriller that ended 4-4, Villa leading 4-1 at half time against Tottenham, it was a largely less eventful game at Villa Park this afternoon.

England U21 international, Craig Gardner scored Villa’s winner against West Ham after 21 minutes when Danny Gabbidon deflected his free kick past the helpless Robert Green.

It was the only goal of the game, as Villa held on throughout the second half to bag a win that takes them up to fifth in the Premier League.

O’Neill was delighted to put Monday’s result behind him and see out the result against The Hammers.

“Obviously today’s result is very, very pleasing. I was pleasing to return to winning ways after Monday night and we kept a clean sheet,” he told the club’s official website.

“We played some exhilarating stuff in the first half and maybe should have been more than one up at half time. We couldn’t take the chances then in the second half I just thought the exertions of Monday night had begun to take their toll.

“West Ham gained the initiative early in the second half, and didn’t surrender it and we were on the back foot for probably 20 minutes.

“But we regained a bit of composure towards the end and I’m just delighted to have won. The crowd’s reaction at the final whistle would suggest that we’re doing something right at the moment.”