Villa reserves continued their winning ways as Nathan Delfouneso and Gary Gardner saw off West Ham at Villa Park.
James Collins (the academy graduate as oppose to the new signing) got an unfortunate touch to an Anthony Edgar free-kick which brought the Hammers level but Gardner won it in style.
All the talk before the game was about transfers in and out of the club but Villa's second string were clearly determined to prove their worth as they set about their East London opponents.
Delfouneso, who will get his share of first team appearances this season, got the ball rolling with a goal after just three minutes.
The England Under-19 international netted after some typically fine work from winger Marc Albrighton, another youngster who has already entered the first team picture.
West Ham equalised just after half-time with Edgar's free-kick causing havoc but the Villans, determined not to drop points, continued to push forward and were only denied by keeper Peter Kuruz.
Albrighton and Delfouneso both had chances to claim the winner but in the end it was left to Gardner, who smashed in a volley on 72, minutes to seal yet another victory for the reserves.