Wolves lack bite as Angel double lifts Villa

Aston Villa 3 Wolves 2

Angel took his tally for the season into double figures and just for good measure he played a significant role in the build-up to the decisive third goal from midfielder Gareth Barry.

Villa manager David O'Leary had stressed the need for his side to show more sharpness in front of goal in the battle of the sides with the worst scoring records in the top flight just 11 each in 15 games going into yesterday's clash.

Angel came up trumps although the first Premiership goal on home soil since New Year's Day still eludes Darius Vassell.

But O'Leary was in no mood to celebrate despite claiming three priceless points. He knows there is still room for vast improvement and he was unhappy at the way his side twice let Wolves off the hook after leading 2-0 and then 3-1.

He said: "We got the three points which is the key thing but other than that there was a lot to be desired about parts of our performance.

"For the first 30 minutes we dominated the game and scored twice. But instead of going on from there and having more confidence we found ourselves on the back foot and gave away a stupid goal.

"I had a few words at half-time and we started the second period the same way we started the first, got another goal and then the same happened again.

"We gave away another stupid goal and we were the team hanging on at the end," said O'Leary.

ASTON VILLA: Sorensen (Postma 51), Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Vassell, McCann, Hitzlsperger, Barry, Allback (De la Cruz 58), Angel.

WOLVES: Oakes, Luzhny, Butler, Craddock, Irwin (Naylor 83), Cameron (Silas 59), Ince, Rae, Kennedy, Camara, Sturridge (Miller 59).

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).