The introduction of Tommy Johnson for Andy Townsend on the half hour proved the turning point as Villa went on to a sparkling 4-1 success.

It was Savo Milosevic’s two goal salvo that set Villa on the way.

Milosevic, who cost £3.5m from Partizan Belgrade in the summer launched the goal flow after 24 minutes and sealed a stunning success in the final minute.

Sandwiched in between were two dramatic strikes from and of the match Dwight Yorke and substitute Tommy Johnson.

Villa went ahead after Milosevic scooped a shot past Ludo Miklosko from eight yards and there was only one side in it after the internal.

After 50 minutes, Yorke opened the way and Johnson dashed into the area before cracking a left foot shot beyond Miklosko’s left hand post.

Four minutes later, Yorke got his eighth of the season when he brilliantly turned and lifted his shot over Miklosko and into the left hand corner.

It was Yorke’s third successive game to find the target and he should have had a second ten minutes later but instead rolled his effort just wide.

West Ham stage a brief revival but their only reward cam from the penalty spot six minutes from time when Ehiogu handled and Julian Sicks scored the spot kick past Bosnich,

But it was Villa who had the final word. Inevitably it was Yorke who set up Milosevic for his second with only seconds remaining.