Second-half goals from Martin Laursen and Ashley Young lifted Aston Villa to a 2-0 win over lowly Derby County.
Laursen and Young goals sink lowly Derby
Second-half goals from Martin Laursen and Ashley Young lifted Aston Villa to a 2-0 win over lowly Derby County.
Billy Davies' Rams defended stoutly in the first half and deservedly took a goalless scoreline into the half-time interval.
However, they were undone in the 57th minute when Gareth Barry knocked Young's free-kick back across goal for Laursen to break the deadlock.
The contest was effectively over just four minutes later when Young was on hand to smash home when Nigel Reo-Coker picked him out at the far post after Gabriel Agbonlahor's initial shot was saved.
Davies introduced Robert Earnshaw late on although in truth Derby never looked like scoring as they have now made seven Premier League away trips without finding the back of the net.
Derby were the first to threaten with recalled striker Steve Howard's rising half volley from 25 yards out parried over by Scott Carson.
Villa retaliated and, after Barry's centre had only been half cleared, the ball broke to Zat Knight on the edge of the six yard-box.
Deteriorated
His left-footed goal-bound shot contained plenty of power but struck Rams keeper Stephen Bywater in the face and cannoned to safety.
Derby came close again when Craig Fagan's was only just too high after Howard had flicked on a Jay McEveley free-kick but the standard in the opening 45 minutes deteriorated after a bright start.
Stilian Petrov, who has still to win over the Villa fans since his move from Celtic, summed up proceedings when his shot ended up nearer the corner flag than the Derby goal.
Villa enjoyed a spell of pressure and Barry set up a chance for Luke Moore but he sliced his shot wide when he should have at least hit the target.
A shot from a narrow angle by Agbonlahor flew inches wide of the far post after Darren Moore had failed to make proper contact trying to clear a Wilfred Bouma ball into the box.
Young tried his luck with a 30-yard free-kick and Bywater parried away his dipping attempt.
In the second half Barry was starting to exert more influence on proceedings and Villa's pressure finally paid off when defender Laursen struck after 57 minutes.
Composure
Gary Teale brought down Young and for once his resulting free-kick contained plenty of pace and power as it picked out the run of Barry to the far post.
He had the composure to nod the ball back across the danger area and Laursen made no mistake.
Four minutes later Young put Villa in complete control with his second goal of the campaign.
A mistake by McEveley allowed Agbonlahor a free run at goal and, although Bywater blocked his shot, Reo-Coker picked out Young at the far post and he volleyed home.
It was Young's last meaningful action before he picked up a knock to his leg and was replaced by Shaun Maloney.
Rams substitute Earnshaw had the chance to reduce the arrears but drilled his shot into the side netting.
| Aston Villa |
Team Statistics |
Derby County |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 7 |
Corners |
4 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
21 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 71.7 |
Passing Success |
70.3 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
40 |
| 76.2 |
Tackles Success |
67.5 |
| 57.8 |
Possession |
42.2 |
| 59.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
40.3 |
|
