ASTON Villa are now in relegation peril after falling to West Ham, for whom Paul Ince scored a a stunning goal which overshadowed the return of £1,250,000 Scotsman Frank McAvennie.

Ince dragged Acton Villa deeper into relegation trouble and gave the stricken Hammers some hope with Ms eighth goal of the season after 10 minutes.

A punch by goalkeeper Phil Parkes and a quick pass by Mark Ward released the England under-21 international in the middle of his own half. He then carried the ball to the edge of the Villa penalty area before beating Lee Butler with a blistering shot.

Ince later hit the bar with a delicate chip but after a dominant first half, bottom of the table Hammers were made to work harder for the points after the interval and out of form striker Alan Mclnally should have equalised before he was substituted 10 minutes from time.