England duo inspire Villa victory

England duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young were at the heart of Aston Villa's 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers which took Martin O'Neill's side into fourth place in the Premier League.

Bolton took the lead at Villa Park here on Saturday when Johan Elmander neatly back-heeled home in the 17th minute.

But Villa striker Agbonlahor scored the first of his two goals eight minutes later when he controlled Martin Laursen's through ball before Kevin Davies's own-goal put the home side 2-1 in front shortly before half-time.

Agbonlahor netted his second after good work by Young before turning provider for his team-mate 12 minutes from the finish.

Davies netted at the right end four minutes from time but the damage had long been done.

Gary Megson's visitors went ahead when Davies seized on a loose ball out on the right and crossed for Elmander, the Swede beating Brad Friedel with a clever backheel for his fifth Premier League goal of the season.

It was a goal against the run of play, only the linesman's flag for offside saving Bolton from the pace of winger Young and Agbonlahor.

But eventually Agbonlahor stayed on onside to head Laursen's ball away from his marker before beating Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Villa then took charge and went ahead when Davies headed a Gareth Barry cross into his own net under challenge from Laursen.

And they could have been 3-1 up before half-time but referee Lee Probert denied Villa a penalty when Gary Cahill used his arm to clear a corner.

But they got the third goal they deserved when a superb piece of play by Young out on the left touchline, who made space for himself with a couple of expert turns before whipping in a superb cross, left Agbonlahor with the easiest of finishes.

Agbonlahor repaid the favour and found Young whose deflected shot proved too much for Jaaskelainen.

Bolton came into this match on the back of three straight away wins, a run that had seen Megson named manager of the month, and they never stopped plugging away.

Davies grabbed a consolation goal in the 86th minute when he headed in Gretar Steinsson's right-wing cross but nothing could take the shine off another excellent day for Villa, who overtook Arsenal – who were held 1-1 by Middlesbrough – to go fourth.