Villa demolished by Athletic crew

Charlton Athletic 3 Aston Villa 0Francis Jeffers got his Charlton account up and running with a double strike as Aston Villa were beaten 3-0 at The Valley last night.

Early on Charlton had strong appeals for a penalty turned down after 23 minutes when Nolberto Solano appeared to catch Dennis Rommedahl's heel as the Danish winger weaved into the box. Referee Howard Webb had a good view of the incident, but waved play on.

That was soon forgotten, though, as Charlton took the lead six minutes later.

The ball was worked out to Hermann Hreidarsson on the left, and his deep centre into the danger area fell perfectly for £2.6 million summer signing Jeffers, who got up above Jlloyd Samuel to fire a header past Thomas Sorensen.

Villa then hit the self-destruct button on 34 minutes. Radostin Kishishev got plenty of height on his long punt up field, and it should have been a routine header back to the goalkeeper from Olof Mellberg, some 25 yards from goal.

However, the Villa captain decided instead to try and use his feet, but could only spoon the ball back into the air.

Jeffers was on to it like a flash, guiding a first-time effort past Sorensen and into the far corner.

Charlton continued to sweep forwards and Sorensen came out well to block at Kevin Lisbie's feet following a fine through ball from Kishishev towards the end of the first-half.

Sorensen had, though, been struggling with what looked like a knee injury following that challenge, so it was no surprise when he was replaced by Stefan Postma for the second period.

Gavin McCann tried to get Villa back into the game on 53 minutes with a well-struck drive from 25 yards, but it was too central and Dean Kiely collected comfortably.

Then, before Villa had another chance to build on their promising approach play, they found themselves 3-0 down.

Rommedahl's chipped pass deflected off Hitzlsperger - and straight into the path of Luke Young where he produced a fine finish into the corner to net his first goal for the Charlton on 58 minutes.

CHARLTON: Kiely, Young, Fish, Fortune, Hreidarsson, Rommedahl (Hughes 82), Kishishev (El Karkouri 78), Euell, Murphy, Lisbie, Jeffers (Konchesky 75). Subs Not Used: Andersen, Johansson. Goals: Jeffers 29, 34, Young 58.

ASTON VILLA: Sorensen (Postma 45), Delaney, Mellberg, Laursen, Samuel, Solano, McCann, Hitzlsperger, Barry, Vassell, Cole (Angel 72). Subs Not Used: De la Cruz, Whittingham, Moore. Booked: Samuel.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).