Jack Collison volleyed home the only goal of the game in yesterday's defeat of an off-colour Manchester City, leaving the Hammers in an impressive seventh place.

That is despite going without victory in their last three Barclays Premier League outings during a run which also saw them knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough.

Zola admitted his side's winless streak had started to become a concern but remains eager to focus on the possibility of a place in the 2009/10 Europa League - a rebranded version of the UEFA Cup.

"It wasn't just me, I think many people were thinking about it in the back of their minds," said Zola.

"We were playing well but not getting results. But I'm a positive person and the players I have make me positive; I was confident we were going to pick up a game.

"I always look up the table, not down. I always try to focus not on my problems but on the good things that can happen to me.

"Now we are seventh and we are going to try and stay there as long as possible.

"At seventh now, if the combinations (of results) are right for us we could go into Europe. We are going to be fighting to keep this spot."

Former Hammer Craig Bellamy was given a predictable barracking from the club's fans on his first return to the Boleyn Ground as a City player.

He went off with a knock after 65 goalless minutes, much to the supporters' delight, but Zola holds no grudges against the Wales striker.

The Italian said: "He's a player who, when he played for me, was very good and very helpful.

"He worked hard and gave everything for the team and for me. So if he has success there I'm pleased...obviously not against us though, he knows that.

"I spoke to him, I had a quick chat with him when he was on the pitch. I kept distracting him," joked Zola.

Hughes was disappointed at yet another away day defeat for his side but was left counting the physical cost of the match too.

Micah Richards was substituted early in the first half after hobbling away from a challenge with Scott Parker but, with the visit of Aston Villa on Wednesday on the horizon, there are also concerns over Vincent Kompany, Bellamy and Robinho.

"We had a worry about Vincent just before the game when he came in and said he might not be able to play," said Hughes.

"He had an injection and that allowed him to start the game but then after a few minutes, we lost Micah and we had to change things around.

"In fairness I thought we coped reasonably well with that loss but by the end of the game we had a doubt over Robinho's ankle and Bellamy's knee.

"We have a big game against Aston Villa coming up and it's touch and go whether they'll make it.

"Robinho thought his was a similar injury to the one he had earlier in the season when he missed a number of games so the likelihood is that he will miss Wednesday's game."