Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill hailed matchwinner James Milner after victory over West Ham.

Milner helped produce a winner when his cross 12 minutes from full-time deflected in off Lucas Neill.

O'Neill felt it was what Milner deserved after playing against Bolton and Everton despite being ill.

"You get your rewards somewhere along the way," O'Neill said. "He has a big, big heart, a lot of ability and he will also improve."

O'Neill's side overtook Manchester United in the table but he is still playing down talk about reaching the Champions League.

"We didn't play half as well as we did against Arsenal but I'm delighted that we won," he added.

"I believe the top four can go on sustained runs and we still have to learn that art.

"We're doing fine but a run like that - six or seven wins - would be exceptionally hard work for us, and that would be the difference."