Carew strike clinches European spot for Villa

JOHN CAREW’S first half goal clinched an automatic European spot for Aston Villa and piled on more misery for relegation-threatened Hull at Villa Park last night.

The Norwegian international struck for his 14th goal of the campaign 11 minutes before the interval to secure Villa’s first victory in 13 matches.

The three points moved them back into fifth spot and above Everton but more significantly they are now assured of participating in the revamped Europa League next season.

It represents more progress for Villa under Martin O’Neill despite the disappointment of seeing hopes of competing in the Champions League disappear after their recent lean run.

But Hull remain embroiled in the battle to survive in the top fight and they have collected only two points from their last seven games although they are still three ahead of 18th-placed Newcastle.

Villa came close to taking the lead after 10 minutes when a right-wing cross from Stiliyan Petrov was met by Carew whose glancing header flew only a couple of feet wide of the far post.

Then after 34 minutes Carew broke the deadlock after a lightning counter-attack.

Gareth Barry made the initial break before feeding Ashley Young on the left flank and he had time to check back inside before delivering an inviting dipping cross.

Carew was the first to react and he diverted the ball past the dive of Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill into the corner of the net.

In the second half Villa were soon back on the offensive and Myhill again had to be alert to turn aside a drive from Barry. Andy Dawson saw a free-kick ricochet off the defensive wall for a corner in a rare moment of concern for the home side.

Kamil Zayatte became the first player to be booked after 77 minutes when he brought down Agbonlahor in full flight.

From Milner’s free-kick, Carew headed back across goal and Agbonlahor was denied at point blank range by Myhill.

ASTON VILLA: Friedel, Luke Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey, Milner, Petrov (Reo-Coker 90), Barry, Ashley Young (Gardner 90), Carew (Heskey 86), Agbonlahor.

HULL: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Garcia, Boateng, Ashbee (Marney 9), Kilbane (Manucho 73), Geovanni (Barmby 46), Cousin. Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).