Manchester United and Arsenal have their own ideas about the English League Cup but there was no suggestion last night that it was a competition to fall out with. West Ham gave themselves a fourth-round place with ease because they had the class in front of goal.

John Hartson bagged two to take his tally for the season into double figures. The Welshman continued to prove excellent value at £3.2 million while Villa showed that they could not rely on Stan Collymore, valued at more than twice that amount, in a crisis.

Villa had a decent share of possession in the first half and West Ham an indecent proportion of the goals. Both were quite beautifully fashioned and perfect in their execution. In the eighth minute, a splendid pass by Eyal Berkovic allowed Tim Breacker to career down the right touch-line. Having grappled with Ugo Ehiogu for space in the penalty area, Hartson twisted to direct a stunning header into the net.

When, eight minutes later, Berkovic opened up the Villa defence again for Iain Dowie the Upton Park faithful were not so sure what would happen. Ehiogu caught him up but Dowie was able to renew the assault, his cross ending up with Frank Lampard via Berkovic and the finish was completed with cool precision.

With nine minutes remaining Hartson punished slack defending to seal West Ham's victory.