Aston Villa suffered their 15th defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss at West Ham United on Tuesday night.
Remi Garde's side started encouragingly with a couple of dangerous corners, one of which Winston Reid had to head over his own crossbar following a Gabby Agbonlahor cross.
But Villa suffered a damaging blow with a red card to striker Jordan Ayew in the 17th minute for striking Aaron Cresswell in the face.
The first half's best chance fell to Enner Valencia who headed over the bar following a cross from Cresswell.
The Hammers made 10-man Villa pay in the 58th minute as Michail Antonio met a cross from Mark Noble and headed home into the bottom corner.
Slaven Bilic's side sealed the win five minutes from time through Cheikhou Kouyate, who fired into the roof of the net after being released by Enner Valencia, to send Villa back home to the Midlands with yet another defeat, making their survival hopes seem extremely slim.
West Ham now sit sixth on the table, just six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
2015/16 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE - SEASON SCORES
West Ham United: 2 (Michail Antonio 58', Cheikhou Kouyate 85')
Aston Villa: 0 (red card: Jordan Ayew 17')
Upton Park, London - 34,914
Match report by Joe Baker
