West Ham's romp up the Premier League table hit a bump on Saturday when they were held at home by Aston Villa.

Sam Allardyce's side enjoyed the best of a tight game in east London but were unable to find the goal that would have taken them into the top four.

Premier League player of the month Diafra Sakho was fit to return for the hosts, while Winston Reid was fit to take his place after a late fitness test. Alan Hutton was sidelined once more for Villa, meaning Matthew Lowton kept his place at full-back.

West Ham started on the front foot, Mark Noble and Enner Valencia threatening before Gabby Agbonlahor fired over at the other end. Irons goalkeeper Adrian then got away with a howler, the ball rolling wide after a miskick. Stewart Downing then threatened after a neat passing move, but blasted over the crossbar.

Villa dug deep to make it to the interval on level terms and almost went ahead at the start of the second half, Tom Cleverley running onto Agbonlahor's passing and clipping an effort just over.

Fellow midfielder Carlos Sanchez also threatened, finding some space before firing a low shot that Adrian did well to hold. But Villa tired in the closing stages and with Paul Lambert reluctant to make changes, proved unable to find a goal.

West Ham, for their part, would also be frustrated, Carl Jenkinson and substitute Andy Carroll wasting the final chances as their impressive recent progress was brought to an end at Upton Park.