Aston Villa were guaranteed three festive points from the moment the Football League computer churned out this season's fixture list.

West Ham at home at any time of year is not the most taxing of propositions.

Come the holiday season, the Hammers are usually ripe for slaughter.

So yesterday's scoreline was no more than any self-respecting Villa supporter would have expected.

What the Holte End faithful may not have had in mind was the uneasy manner in which Ron Atkinson's men accepted only their second win in the last six matches.

Villa didn't exactly look the gift horse in the mouth, but there were times when they appeared to be acutely embarrassed about opening their Christmas bonus. They started like a side emerging from pre-season training, exuding all the enthusiasm and inventiveness associated with August sunshine. Yet well before the end, April showers looked a more likely option as this winter's tale assumed a late season atmosphere. After Frank McAvennie West Ham back into contention In the 64th minute, there were fears that two points be surrendered. Thankfully, Kevin Richardson's last minute clincher, after goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko had failed to hold Dwight Yorke's low shot, won the game.

It was Yorke's sharp 34th minute header from a Richardson cross that provided the breakthrough which had been imminent for some time.

And when Tony Daley's shot deflected beyond Miklosko's reach off the unfortunate Steve Potts, a goal riot was on the cards.

It didn't materialise, even though the Hammers seemed prepared to surrender tamely at that stage.

Ultimately, we were left with a somewhat less-than satisfying Christmas message from Atkinson's men.

Even so, there was little real dispute about Villa's entitlement to victory, for 56 minutes had elapsed before lan Bishop forced Les Sealey into his first save.

There were plenty of outstanding individual contributions, too. Paul McGrath was as as ever at the heart of defence, led the line with authority, and revelled In his new role down the middle.