Villa took Graham Taylor at his word - and were rewarded with their most emphatic league success for more than two years.

The manager had suggested in his programme notes that his players should make more runs into the penalty area and two of the four goals which sank the Hammers were the direct result of such forceful tactics.

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Midfielder Lee Hendrie combined skill with sheer determination to force his way through a crowded box to open the scoring approaching the half hour mark, while the eel-like Darius Vassell brilliantly evaded three opponents before laying the ball off for Oyvind Leonhardsen to smash home number two.

Add to those two efforts a close-range header which brought Dion Dublin his 100th Premier League goal and a sublime five-man move which was rounded off by Vassell's stunning right-footer and Villa fans savoured a performance to remember.

Paolo Di Canio scored what proved to be West Ham's consolation goal.

Ultimately though, Villa were good value for maximum points, which extended their unbeaten league and cup run to six matches.

Indeed, Villa's tally might have been even higher. Vassell sent a rising shot against the bar on the stroke of half-time while Dublin was denied on one occasion by a reflex save and on another by his own poor finishing.

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