LONDON, Dec 31: A Kamil Zayatte own goal two minutes from time gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win at Hull City on Tuesday and lifted them to fourth place in the Premier League.

Guinea defender Zayatte spectacularly volleyed an Ashley Young cross past his own keeper Boaz Myhill to hand Villa a win that sees them end the year in a Champions League place.

Villa are level on 38 points with third-placed Manchester United, who have two games in hand, and are seven adrift of leaders Liverpool with Chelsea in second place on 42.

Neither side managed to create a clear chance for most of the match with Hull’s defence, which had conceded nine goals in their previous two matches, nullifying Villa’s pacey attack.

But the game sprang to life in the dying minutes with Zayatte’s own goal followed by a penalty claim from Hull for a handball by Ashley Young on the line, although TV replays showed that the ball had cleanly hit the bar.

Referee Steve Bennett initially gave the penalty only to change his mind after consulting his linesman.

Villa are unbeaten in seven league matches, having fought back to draw 2-2 last Friday at home to an Arsenal side.

—Reuters