Aston Villa moved a step closer to securing Premier League survival by beating West Ham United 1-0 this afternoon.

The Villans dominated from the start and Tom Cleverley gave them the lead when he tapped in Jack Grealish's cutback from close range.

West Ham improved after the break and Enner Valencia saw his header disallowed for offside, but they were unable to find an equaliser as the hosts held on to claim the points.

Here, Sports Mole rates the best and worst performances at Villa Park.

ASTON VILLA:

Goal

Shay Given: Was forced into making just one save as he tipped a Collins header over the bar. He was relatively untroubled otherwise and kept things simple. (6/10)

Defence

Leandro Bacuna: Frequently got forward down the right in the first half and delivered some teasing crosses. He was forced to defend more after the break and made way for Hutton in the closing stages. (6/10)

Ron Vlaar: Commanding display from the Dutchman. He was solid at the back and won everything that came his way. (7/10)

Jores Okore: The Dane was reliable throughout alongside Vlaar. He kept Valencia quiet and was never beaten in behind. (7/10)

Kieran Richardson: Solid performance from the full-back, who defended well and was rarely troubled by Downing on his side of the pitch. (6/10)

Midfield

Tom Cleverley: Scored the winning goal with a simple finish from close range after a well-timed run into the box. He was lively throughout and was one of his side's most dangerous players all afternoon. (8/10)

Ashley Westwood: The midfielder was a dependable presence in the heart of the midfield and never put a foot wrong. He also threatened with a couple of shots from range and used the ball well. (7/10)

Fabian Delph: Kept things ticking over for Villa in the midfield. He was busy making sure that his opponents had little time in possession and he also played a couple of superb passes over the top in the first half. (7/10)

Jack Grealish: Great display from the youngster. His driving run into the box and delivery to find Cleverley led to the winner. He was a menace throughout and gave his all until the end. (8/10)

Charles N'Zogbia: Caused a few moments of panic for the West Ham defence, but did not see enough of the ball and was replaced by Agbonlahor after the break. (6/10)

Attack

Christian Benteke: Although he was unable to find the net, the Belgian led the line well for Villa all afternoon and battled hard for his team throughout the match. (7/10)

Substitutes

Gabriel Agbonlahor: Made his return from injury and could have scored a second goal deep into stoppage time when he poked wide of the post from close range. (6/10)

Alan Hutton: Came on for the closing stages and helped to shore up the defence. (6/10)

Carlos Sanchez: Brought on in stoppage time to eat up vital seconds for Villa. (6/10)

WEST HAM:

Goal

Adrian: Could do very little about Cleverley's goal, but dealt with everything else comfortably and commanded his area well. (6/10)

Defence

Carl Jenkinson: Was given plenty of problems by Grealish and may feel that he could have done better when the Villa winger burst past him to set up the opening goal. (6/10)

James Collins: The Welshman was involved in a battle with Benteke all afternoon and he helped to prevent the Belgian from having any clear-cut chances. He was also strong in the air and a reliable presence throughout for his team. (7/10)

Reece Burke: The youngster has impressed in his recent displays for the Hammers and he was reliable again as his side came under huge pressure from their opponents. (6/10)

Aaron Cresswell: West Ham's player of the season was forced back for large spells and defended solidly against the threat of N'Zogbia and Bacuna down his flank. (6/10)

Midfield

Mark Noble: The West Ham captain endured a tough afternoon in the centre of the pitch, but he put in a number of strong challenges. He did not see much of the ball in advanced areas and was replaced late on by Cole as his team searched for an equaliser. (7/10)

Kevin Nolan: Poor showing from the midfielder, who was overrun by his Villa counterparts. He struggled to make any impact and he was dragged off by his manager at half time. (5/10)

Cheikhou Kouyate: Did his best to try to get the Hammers back into the match and he fought strongly for everything all afternoon, albeit with little reward. (6/10)

Morgan Amalfitano: Disappointing display from the Frenchman. His only impact of note in the first half was to get involved in a scuffle with Cleverley and he failed to reappear after the break. (5/10)

Stewart Downing: Very quiet performance once again from the winger. He struggled to get on the ball and was unable to fashion any chances for his team. (6/10)

Attack

Enner Valencia: The striker had a goal harshly disallowed for offside, but it was his only real involvement in an otherwise lacklustre display. (6/10)

Substitutes

Carlton Cole: Was brought on for the last 12 minutes and made little impact. (6/10)

Nene: Came on at half time and looked lively. He fired a decent effort just over the top and seemed to be the only player on his team likely to trouble the defence. (7/10)

Alex Song: Replaced Nolan at half time and helped West Ham to get a firmer grip of the midfield. (6/10)