Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa 2 West Brom 1: Derby win puts Gerard Houllier back in Aston Villa good books
It was in the week that Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister back in 1979 when West Bromwich Albion last won at Villa Park. [LNB]At the final whistle, Villa manager Gerard Houllier smiled with relief and gratitude that Albion had extended their losing run as he seeks to lift his damaged poll rating among the home support.[LNB]Villa made heavy weather of it, their fragile confidence again evident as Paul Scharner's header gave Albion late hope after Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey had soothed home nerves.[LNB] Sealing the deal: Emile Heskey makes it 2-0 [LNB]Ultimately, though, they deserved to squeak only their second win in 11 league games since Houllier's arrival as manager.[LNB]With the emotional game at hisformer club Liverpool out of the way, the Frenchman can now concentrateon putting any verbal gaffes behind him and devote himself to guidingVilla up the table.[LNB]More wins like this and all will be forgiven, as post-match applause proved. Such is football, where results are all, as Houllier acknowledged.[LNB]'Let's be straight - there is nothing like a win. It gives a feeling of relief,' he said.[LNB]'The defeat at Liverpoolhurt us and we needed to sort out a few things. We were a bit shaky attimes but I was pleased and proud of the attitude of the players. Itwas not easy on the back of that defeat.[LNB]'I thought the win was moreimportant for the team than me. I was not thinking like that. It wasgood that the whole squad were happy and the bench were happy.'[LNB] Local hero: Stewart Downing put the home side a goal to the good after 25 minutes [LNB]Houllier made five changes includingdropping captain Richard Dunne and with Heskey and Ashley Youngreturning to form a more menacing attacking triumvirate with MarcAlbrighton, he was rewarded with a popular win over West Midlandsrivals and move up to four points clear of the relegation zone.[LNB]It was not initially encouraging, though, with four consecutive defeats clearly haunting Villa. [LNB]By contrast, Albion had won theirprevious two and, passing the ball neatly with Jerome Thomas and SomenTchoyi dangerous on the flanks, Albion looked the more likely to openthe scoring. [LNB]Chris Brunt, driving forward fromcentral midfield, screwed a shot across goal on the left, as didMarc-Antoine Fortune on the right. Tchoyi also cut in from the rightand curled a shot against the Villa crossbar.[LNB]The home crowd grew restless again. Then came the break they so desperately needed. [LNB]The ever lively Albrighton worked his way pastGraham Dorrans and Marek Cech on the right and crossed to the nearpost, where Young flicked on and Downing timed his arrival correctly atthe far post to steer home.[LNB]Villa might have doubled the leadearly in the second half when Albrighton glanced a header wide buttheir precarious position was emphasised when James Morrison clipped a shot just wide for Albion.[LNB] Heads up: Paul Scharner (second left) scores for West Brom[LNB] The game was finely balanced. To Villa fell theverdict. [LNB]Provider again, Albrighton crossed from the left this time andafter James Collins a rock in the Villa defence in the second half ashe flung his body at every Albion shot but now an attacking distraction had disturbed the Albion back line, Heskey guided the ball past Scott Carson.[LNB]Villa have surrendered winning positions too often so far this season and they suddenlyseemed to get flashbacks to their home game against Manchester Unitedwhen they conceded twice late on and threw away two points.[LNB]When Scharner headed home Brunt's corner powerfully, they wobbled again. [LNB]Thomas went through on goal butclipped the ball over the bar. It might have been different had theirleading scorer Peter Odemwingie been on the pitch instead of outthrough injury.[LNB]'I thought we were going to equalisebecause we deserved to,' said Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo butVilla's need was the greater. [LNB]The swing-ometer edges back towards Houllier thanks to a welcome three points.Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Friedel; Lichaj, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton (Herd 90min), Hogg, Bannan (Reo-Coker 73), Downing; Young, Heskey (Delfouneso 83). Subs (not used): Guzan, Dunne, Pires, Carew.[LNB]West Brom (4-5-1): Carson; Jara(Reid 87), Scharner, Tamas, Cech; Tchoyi, Morrison (Miller 75), Brunt,Dorrans, Thomas; Fortune. (not used): Myhill, Pablo, Shorey, Mulumbu. [LNB]Booked: Thomas, Jara.[LNB]Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).[LNB] Houllier finally apologises for Anfield gaffe as fan anger grows at Aston VillaShowdown in the Midlands: Legends deliver their weekend derby verdictsASTON VILLA FC
