West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic believes his team played the right way in the second half against ten men after their 2-0 home win over bottom side Aston Villa last night.

The Hammers had a numerical advantage after Jordan Ayew was sent off after 17 minutes. It took a while for the hosts to take control but two second-half goals fired them to the win which keeps them sixth in the Premier League table.

"I've seen many times that a team that has one player more can't find a solution, are more nervous and concede a goal," said Bilic.

"It wasn't the case this time. In the second half we played the way a team should against ten men."

Villa felt they should have had an early penalty when Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross struck the hand of Michail Antonio but the referee was unmoved.

The key moment of the game took place shortly afterwards when Ayew recklessly elbowed Aaron Cresswell in the face.

West Ham almost took the lead before the break but Enner Valencia's long-range free-kick flew narrowly past the post.

Bilic's side went even closer at the start of the second half when Micah Richards cleared James Collins' header off the line.

Mark Noble was denied a stunning goal when his volley from the edge of the area was superbly saved by Villa goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

The Hammers were in complete control at this point and were unlucky to see Dimitri Payet's pinpoint free-kick cannon off the visitors' post.

The opening goal seemed to be inevitable and finally arrived after 58 minutes. Noble delivered a long cross-field ball and Antonio sent his header past Bunn for the deserved breakthrough.

It was all West Ham in the second half and Cresswell came close to doubling the lead but his strike flew past the post.

The Irons sealed victory in the 85th minute of the game when Valencia released Cheikhou Kouyate and he blasted home their second goal.

Kouyate told the club website: “It was a very important win tonight and the team played well together with a good spirit. I scored a nice goal but it was a great assist from Enner."

The goalscorer added: “I want us to continue this great run and it is 11 games now [unbeaten at home].

"We take it game by game and anything is possible. We just need to keep working hard and we will wait and see what happens."