WEST HAM earned a valuable point in their quest for a Europa League place thanks to a late Diego Tristan goal.
The Hammers fell behind after Emile Heskey converted James Milner's cross with Aston Villa's second attack of the game.
David Di Michele was denied soon after by a terrific save from Brad Friedel, while defender James Tomkins blazed the rebound over the bar.
Ashley Young then crashed a shot against the post, and Heskey almost doubled his tally when he was i9nadvertently put through on goal by West Ham's Mark Noble, but the striker's shot on the stretch also hit the post.
Robert Green then kept the Hammers in the game with an excellent point-blank savew from Heskey.
The visitors then grabbed the vital goal late in the day, that keeps up their hunt for seventh.
A corner broke to Kieron Dyer on the edge of the box, and his shot was turned in with his head by Tristan.
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