West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has said that two of his new recruits helped make the difference for his side in their fight for survival in the Premier League.

Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino, who joined the hammers on loan last month, both came off the bench in the victory against Aston Villa and made a positive impression.

"I think the arrival of the two Italians helped," Allardyce told the club's official website. "If you get the right service to Marco Borriello, I think we've got a talented player on our hands.

"We got another clean sheet, which was great for the defensive back line that coped with all the long balls Villa pumped down the middle in the second half."

West Ham are currently two points above the relegation zone.