SAM Allardyce has come up with one target that he feels will help his side keep their Premiership status.

After seeing his side keep a clean sheet for the first time this season he revealed that this could be the key to his side's fortunes.

"Clean sheets are very important to us," he said.

"I think if we get into double figures with clean sheets this year then we will stay in the Premiership.

"If we are struggling to score goals a clean sheet means that 1-0 is going to be good enough. It was today.

Allardyce, however, is concerned about his side's lack of goals.

"Today we got one from a penalty but we have to start scoring more from open play.

"We certainly had the chances which is very encouraging but we do have to more clinical.

"When you start a game and you're bottom of the division with no points on the board then there is bound to be extra pressure on you.

"For us this game was absolutely crucial, it was absolutely crucial that we got our shape right, our commitment right and our organisation right because at the moment we are definitely struggling with our finishing as well as conceding goals at the other end.

"We have to cut those out. We've done it in this game but those all important clean sheets give the strikers more time to finish the chances we have created.

"I'm very pleased with the three points. We should have had them against Charlton and didn't but today we've worked that bit harder for it and got the win."

Allardyce also acknowledged that luck played a part after Villa had seen what they thought was a second half equaliser from Juan Pablo Angel ruled out by the assistant referee's offside flag.

"I think it was very close but sometimes you need them to go for you. Some you get and it doesn't really affect the outcome of the game but this one did.

"Mind you, Pedersen's goal could have been allowed. I thought he was a little unfortunate because the ball bounced up and hit his arm. But as long as referees blow up for every ball that strikes the arm in the box then that's consistency and you can't argue against that."

Allardyce had no doubts who was the game's best player.

"For me Youri Djorkaeff was man of the match without any question.

"He's the key man to us in terms of how he opens up defences."