DALIAN Atkinson scored twice his first goals at Villa Park for nearly three months to earn Ron Atkinson's side a much-needed Premiership win.

Atkinson also set up Villa's other goal by skipper Kevin Richardson as they answered their manager's pre-match plea to put right their poor home record.

Atkinson squandered en early chance when he headed Steve Staunton's cross wide from six yards, but that was soon forgotten as he laid a centre from Earl Barrett into the path of Richardson to fire in a low 25-yard shot past Ludek Miklosko.

West Ham rallied and Martin Allen equalised after 30 minutes with a powerful header from 12 yards after meeting a left-wing centre from Keith Rowland.

But it was Rowland's mistake which presented Atkinson with the chance to restore Villa's lead two minutes before half-time.

The defender was favourite to clear a cross field Atkinson nipped in to beat the defender and round Miklosko.

Atkinson wrapped it all up in the 68th minute when he latched on to Ray Houghton's through ball to clinch all three points