Hammers midfielder Mark Noble is staying positve despite his howler against Aston Villa last Saturday.

West Ham midfielder and fan Mark Noble has held his hands up and admitted his mistake against Aston Villa was a costly one for the Hammers, but he has already shaken off the blow.

“I made a silly mistake and that cost us the first goal,” said the 23-year-old, who attempted to dribble out of his own area, only to be robbed by Emile Heskey as Villa levelled from the resulting cross.

“These things happen, you have got to move on. We have got five games to go, two tough ones coming up, but I think we need to win three of the games, so hopefully we will be okay.

“I’m pretty sure we are going to fight to the end.”

Noble suffered in midfield on Saturday without the reassuring presence of Scott Parker, but West Ham’s longest-serving current player is convinced that the team can stay up, with or without the England international.

“In this league everyone is beating everyone, perhaps we can win all five games,” laughed Noble.

“No, we’ve got to win our home games and then obviously we have Wigan away which is tough to go there and win, but if we can do that then fingers crossed we will be okay.”

Before the Wigan game though there is the little matter of trips to Stamford Bridge and the City of Manchester Stadium.

“Yes, it doesn’t help that we have Chelsea and Manchester City away from home,” he said. “Going to either place is not going to be easy. Everyone is going to have to fight and play at their best to get a result, but stranger things have happened.”

Noble (right) has seen it all before. Last year was a nerve-wracking experience, but the midfielder was also part of the 2007 team that beat Manchester United on the last day to stay up.

“I don’t know what situation was worse,” he said. “Going up to Old Trafford to win or having five games left. I’m pretty sure we need nine points and if we get those, then I think we will be all right.”