West Brom 1 Aston Villa 2David O'Leary has made no attempt to hide his criticism of the festive schedule though his Aston Villa players must be wondering what all the fuss was all about. Having struggled to find any consistency for much of the season Villa secured a deserved victory here that stretched their points tally to eight from the last four matches.
It also prolonged the agony for their neighbours who, apart from slipping nearer the relegation zone, have failed to beat Villa in 20 years.
Hopes that Albion might end that record were lifted briefly when Steve Watson crashed in a second-half equaliser though the euphoria that followed his first goal for the club turned to dismay within four minutes. Gareth Barry's quickly-taken free-kick struck Watson on the arm, giving Milan Baros the chance to convert from the spot.
Bryan Robson was unhappy with referee Rob Styles's inconsistency. "Every time we had free-kicks the lads said they had to wait for the whistle but, when Gareth Barry asked to take it quickly, he could, so there seemed to be one rule for one team and one rule for the other," said the Albion manager.
He could have few other grounds for complaint. Villa quickly wrested control and ought to have been ahead by the interval. "We were the best team by a mile," said O'Leary.
Olof Mellberg subdued the threat of Nwankwo Kanu while Villa's midfield quartet were too fleet of foot for their lumbering counterparts. Albion's central midfielders Watson and Darren Carter were energetic but lacked creativity while Villa sparkled whenever James Milner and Steven Davis picked up possession on the flanks.
It was their combined youthful exuberance that brought Villa's opening goal after 47 minutes.
Moore released Milner on the Villa right and the former Leeds midfielder's cross found Davis at the far post and he headed back across Tomasz Kuszczak.
It was the Northern Ireland international's sixth goal of a productive season and a fitting way to celebrate his 21st birthday which fell on Sunday.
"I always felt there was a player there," said O'Leary, referring to Davis's progress over the past 12 months.
Jonathan Greening could have taken the match on a different course had he turned in an early Diomansy Kamara cross. But not until midway through the second half, when Nathan Ellington headed goalwards, did the home side trouble Villa's stand-in goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.
At the opposite end Kuszczak had to be far more alert. Moore rattled the crossbar from inside the six-yard box after Davis crossed from the right and then Mark Delaney hooked over after West Brom failed to clear Milner's corner.
When Davis stole in at the far post it looked as though Villa's superiority had been rewarded but against the run of play Albion gained parity. Taylor sought to punch clear only for Mellberg to climb above the Villa goalkeeper. His clearance landed at the feet of Watson who drilled an angled volley into the far corner. Albion's delight, however, was ended by Baros four minutes later.
WEST BROM: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Clement (Horsfield 83), Robinson, Kamara, Watson, Carter, Greening, Kanu, Ellington (Campbell 88). Subs not used: Moore, Kirkland, Chaplow. Booked: Watson, Robinson. Goal: Watson 76.
ASTON VILLA: Taylor, Hughes, Delaney, Mellberg, Barry, Davis, Bakke (Angel 62), McCann, Milner, Moore (Gardner 85), Baros. Subs not used: Djemba-Djemba, Ridgewell, Henderson. Booked: McCann, Barry, Moore. Goals: Davis 47, Baros 80 pen.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
