Source: Team_Talk
Heskey hands Villans victory in derby
Emile Heskey's powerful late header earned Aston Villa a 2-1 win over Wolves at Molineux which moved them up to fifth in the Premier League.[LNB] Heskey's late goal enabled Houllier to emerge triumphant from his first Premier League match in charge.[LNB]The England striker celebrated his first league start for six months by heading home an 87th-minute cross from Stephen Warnock.[LNB]Matt Jarvis' first goal of the campaign looked to have rescued Wolves a point after Stewart Downing's close-range effort separated the sides at half-time.[LNB]Villa were the better side in the first half with Ashley Young impressing in his role just behind the revitalised Heskey.[LNB]Nigel Reo-Coker was dominant in midfield while Carlos Cuellar made a series of crucial interceptions when Wolves did threaten.[LNB]But Wolves were a revitalised force in the second 45 minutes with Brad Friedel the busier of the two goalkeepers.[LNB]Jarvis was at the heart of their most threatening moments while David Jones impressed in the centre of the park before Heskey denied them a point.[LNB]It means Villa are unbeaten in 17 matches with Wolves stretching back 30 years.[LNB]The home side created the first clearcut opening after six minutes when Kevin Doyle's reverse pass picked out the run into the box of David Edwards.[LNB]But he hesitated for a split second and eventually shot high and wide when under pressure from Warnock.[LNB]Wolves were playing at a high tempo and Reo-Coker made a brave block on Karl Henry's shot after Cuellar had headed clear a Jarvis corner.[LNB]Warnock became the first player to be yellow carded - and for the third successive league game - in the 18th minute after a sliding challenge on Edwards.[LNB]Hahnemann reacted sharply to keep out a downward header from James Collins following a Downing corner.[LNB]Villa started to enjoy more possession and after 26 minutes Downing put them ahead.[LNB]Reo-Coker found Heskey who held the ball up well before finding Marc Albrighton in space on the right.[LNB]He drilled a dipping centre right across the six-yard box and Downing stayed on-side to deflect the ball past Hahnemann from close range.[LNB]Villa dominated proceedings but it needed a double save from Friedel to keep Villa on level terms after 35 minutes.[LNB]First the veteran goalkeeper parried a fierce volley from Fletcher and then kept out the follow-up effort from Doyle.[LNB]Wolves were forced to make a change in the 38th minute when Stephen Ward limped out of the action to be replaced by George Elokobi in a straight swap at left-back.[LNB]A long throw from Elokobi caused problems and Cuellar had to block an effort from Jody Craddock.[LNB]Wolves made an impressive start to the second period and Warnock escaped a second yellow card after bringing down Doyle in a counter-attack by the home side.[LNB]Wolves boss Mick McCarthy appeared unhappy with the decision and made his feelings known to the fourth official.[LNB]Villa were forced to back pedal and Friedel went down to his right to keep out a volley from Christophe Berra.[LNB]Craddock was booked after bringing down Ashley Young.[LNB]But after 61 minutes Wolves got back on level terms through Jarvis.[LNB]The midfielder cut back inside onto his right foot and floated a dangerous ball across the box.[LNB]Edwards attacked the ball but failed to get a touch and it flew across Friedel into the far corner of the net.[LNB]Ashley Young continued to pose the biggest threat for Villa and one cross just evaded the run of Reo-Coker.[LNB]Villa brought on striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in place of Albrighton after 66 minutes.[LNB]Hahnemann produced a superb finger-tip save to keep out Ashley Young's rasping drive.[LNB]Adlene Guedioura came on for Edwards in the 81st minute and quickly tested Friedel with a low drive.[LNB]But with three minutes remaining Heskey snatched the winner.[LNB]Warnock supplied a probing cross from the left flank and Heskey rose to place a header into the corner of the net.[LNB]In injury-time Villa substitute Steve Sidwell, who had replaced skipper Stiliyan Petrov, was yellow carded for a challenge on Guedioura who was stretchered off.
