Aston Villa consolidated their place in the Premier League top four with a 2-1 victory over local rivals West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Martin O'Neill, the team moved above Manchester United in third place thanks to Curtis Davies strike against his former club and an own goal from Scott Carson at Villa Park.
James Morrison was a return to Albion shortly after half time, but Villa, now unbeaten in nine matches, held in fifth victory in six games. Spluttering with Arsenal, Villa have a golden opportunity to shake up the Premier League's established order by the Gunners, edges of the Champions League places.
They were below their best for long periods of time here, but still not enough to beat a team desperate for points to Albion haul themselves off the bottom of the table. Albion were looking to win a league match at Villa Park for the first time since May 1979 and started brightly enough, without creating serious possibilities.
Robert Koren tested Villa keeper Brad Friedel for the first time when he collected Jay Simpson pass and drove goalwards. But, contrary to the stage of play, Villa went ahead after 19 minutes through former Albion defender Davies. Steve Sidwell has cleared two headers from the line after a corner by Barry James Morrison and Jonathan Green.
But when Barry delivers the ball into the danger zone for the third time, nobody picked Davies, who headed past Carson and barely held despite the taunts of fans who visit. That sparked life at Villa and Ashley Young curling shot from the edge of the area is just out of position.
Gareth Barry, who had recovered from a groin injury to play, he met a sample of James Milner, but his header was straight at Carson. Milner caused panic in the Albion defense again with another cross Sidwell chosen only for the midfielder to shoot wide.
Morrison should have done better than head straight at Friedel from a cross from Paul Robinson and Villa pay him in 41 minutes. Barry slipped a pass through to Agbonlahor in the left flank and cut into the area before hitting a cross-shot that deflected off Carson and trickled over the line.
Albion had lost their last seven games away, but Morrison gave them hope of a fightback when they reduced the deficit four minutes after half-time. Roman Bednar, as a halftime substitute, made an immediate impact when he headed for the green cross Jon Morrison, who turned before lashing a fierce shot past Friedel. Villa pressed to restore the lead and Carson made amends for his error by pushing out the second target of the strike Sidwell and then denying minors.(source: soccerway)
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