Villa earn dramatic late win

Aston Villa 2 West Bromwich Albion 1

Thomas Hitzlsperger scored a dramatic injury-time goal to earn Aston Villa victory in the Midlands derby with Gary Megson’s side at Villa Park.

The German Under-21 international saw his shot from 25 yards take a deflection off Albion skipper Derek McInnes and fly into the top corner of the net.

It was rough luck on goalkeeper Russell Hoult, who had produced a superb display which looked to have earned his side a vital point in their battle to stay in the Premiership.

Villa created a string of chances but Hoult, who had saved a Dion Dublin penalty in the first meeting last month at the Hawthorns, produced a string of fine saves.

At times Villa looked as if they were going to over-run their opponents with Dublin impressing up front and Gareth Barry providing the impetus from midfield.

But Megson’s side refused to buckle under the onslaught and Jason Koumas’ goal seemed as if it would clinch Albion only their fifth point on their travels since returning to the top flight.

The Wales inspirational provided most of the spark on the few occasions that his side threatened the Villa goal.

But the home side will now be without skipper Steve Staunton for three matches after he elbowed Albion substitute Danny Dichio – a scenario they can ill afford with Olof Mellberg only able to play one game a week because of his Achilles problem.

Villa were into their stride from the first whistle and Hoult, who had needed treatment to his head after a clash with Staunton, clung onto a powerful header from Mellberg following Hitzlsperger’s corner.

Dublin should then have done better when he got on the end of a centre from Staunton but he sent his close-range header over the crossbar.

But Villa were not to be denied and they went ahead after 17 minutes through Darius Vassell – although they were given a helping hand by Koumas.

He was booked for dissent after disputing a free-kick, which was moved a further 10 yards further forward to the edge of the Albion penalty area.

Hitzlsperger’s free-kick took two deflections off the defensive wall before falling to Vassell who made no mistake from close range.

It was one-way traffic towards the Albion goal at this stage and Barry flashed a rising shot just wide while Hoult pulled off a splendid save to keep out Dublin’s powerful header from another Hitzlsperger cross.

But Albion stunned the home side by equalising against the run of play after 31 minutes. The initial shot from Lee Hughes was charged down but Koumas collected the rebound and had time to pick his spot and send a low 18-yard drive past Peter Enckelman’s despairing drive.

Villa retaliated and Staunton was just off target with a close range header but Albion were now more in the game and Hughes shot just too high after a splendid run by Koumas.

Hoult again came to Albion’s rescue in first half injury-time when he managed to finger-tip a powerful effort from Lee Hendrie onto the crossbar.

Villa began the second period in the same vein as the first with Hoult again earning his spurs. He turned aside a rising effort from Vassell after he had turned past the challenges of Lars Sigurdsson and Moore.

Then the Albion keeper clung on to another testing effort from the England striker while Hendrie will feel he should have done better when he shot wide from 10 yards out after seizing onto a pass from Oyvind Leonhardsen.

Albion boss Megson brought on Dichio for the ineffective Hughes after 58 minutes and he was involved in the clash which saw Staunton given his marching orders.

Dichio was upset when Staunton only kicked the ball out for an Albion throw-in rather than give it to Hoult after it had been put out of play to allow Gregan to have treatment.

Staunton took his own retribution with a clear elbow into the chest of Dichio which earned him an instant red card.

Villa still looked the more menacing and Dublin headed into the side-netting while Hoult tipped over a 30-yard rocket from Vassell – and then came Hitzlsperger’s decider two minutes into stoppage time.