Villa beat Albion to keep pressure on Premier League big guns

Aston Villa consolidated their place in the Premier League’s top four with a 2-1 win over local rivals West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Martin O’Neill’s team moved above Manchester United into third place thanks to Curtis Davies’s strike against his former club and an own goal from Scott Carson at Villa Park.

James Morrison got one back for Albion soon after half-time but Villa, now unbeaten in nine matches, held on for a fifth win in six games.

With Arsenal spluttering, Villa have a golden opportunity to shake up the Premier League’s established order by edging the Gunners out of the Champions League places.

They were below their best for long periods here but still did enough to beat an Albion team desperate for the points to haul themselves off the bottom of the table.

Albion were looking to win a league game at Villa Park for the first time since May 1979 and they started brightly enough without creating any serious chances.

Robert Koren tested Villa keeper Brad Friedel for the first time when he collected Jay Simpson’s pass and drove goalwards.

But, against the run of play, Villa went ahead after 19 minutes through former Albion defender Davies.

Steve Sidwell had two headers cleared off the line following a Barry corner by James Morrison and Jonathan Greening.

But, when Barry delivered the ball into the danger area for the third time, no-one picked up Davies, who headed past Carson and barely celebrated despite the taunts of the visiting fans.

That sparked Villa into life and Ashley Young’s curling shot from the edge of the area was only just off target.

Gareth Barry, who had recovered from a groin injury to play, met a cross from James Milner but his header was straight at Carson.

Milner caused panic in the Albion defence again with another cross that picked out Sidwell, only for the midfielder to shoot wide.

Morrison should have done better than header straight at Friedel from a Paul Robinson cross and Villa made him pay in the 41st minute.

Barry slipped a pass through to Agbonlahor on the left flank and he cut into the area before hitting a cross-shot that deflected off Carson and trickled over the line.

Albion had lost their last seven away games but Morrison gave them hope of a fightback when he reduced the deficit four minutes after half-time.

Roman Bednar, on as a half-time substitute, made an instant impact when he headed Jon Greening’s cross to Morrison, who turned before lashing a fierce shot past Friedel.

Villa pressed to restore the lead and Carson made amends for his error for the second goal by pushing away Sidwell’s strike and then denying Young.