70’
Substitute Andriy Yarmolenko marked an emotional return with a goal and Pablo Fornals added a second as West Ham United climbed to fifth spot with victory over Aston Villa.
The best chance of an even first half fell to Villa's Philippe Coutinho, whose effort was smothered by Lukasz Fabianski having been found by Jacob Ramsey.
Villa tested Fabianski again after the restart, the 'keeper turning a shot from Danny Ings onto a post and away.
West Ham then created their best opening, Emiliano Martinez denying Kurt Zouma before Craig Dawson turned the close-range follow-up over the bar.
Ukrainian Yarmolenko broke the deadlock on 70 minutes with a smart finish from Said Benrahma's pass and his celebration was marked by tears.
Benrahma also provided the assist as Fornals swept home a second for West Ham with eight minutes remaining, before Jacob Ramsey struck in the 90th minute to ensure a nervy finish at London Stadium.
West Ham are now three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal. Villa are ninth on 36 points.
See: West Ham report | Aston Villa report
Next fixtures
West Ham: 20 Mar v Spurs (A)
Aston Villa: 19 Mar v Arsenal (H)
Match officials
Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: James Mainwaring, Dan Robathan. Fourth official: Martin Atkinson. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.
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