The jeers that broke out around Hillsborough at the end of the game told the story.

Wednesday are heading for the First Division after Alan Thompson's dramatic late winner.

He headed the ball home on the stroke of full-time after Steve Stone had played the ball in from the right.

It was no more than the FA Cup finalists deserved as they had looked comfortable all night.

Wednesday have now failed to score in 180 minutes - and you can hardly blame their fans for being pessimistic.

It was caretaker manager Peter Shreeves' first home match in charge after he replaced Danny Wilson until the end of the season.

With matches to come against Chelsea, Leeds and Arsenal, he seems to be chasing a lost cause.

Midfielder Benito Carbone was ruled out of a return to Hillsborough after picking up an ankle injury at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final defeat of Bolton.

Gareth Southgate and Paul Merson were also sidelined but Dion Dublin, who scored the decisive penalty in Sunday's shoot-out, made his first start for the club after recovering from a broken neck.

Andy Booth returned to the Wednesday side after a three-month absence because of a groin injury.

Wednesday were desperate for a morale-boosting victory as they are 10 points from safety with only eight matches remaining.

They made a bright start with some neat play but it was Villa who looked the more threatening.

Alan Wright picked out Thompson in the fifth minute, only for Kevin Pressman to take his shot comfortably.

Two minutes later the Wednesday defence was split open again when Dublin latched onto a ball from Mark Delaney - but he knocked the chance wide.

Villa kept up the pressure and were unfortunate when Ugo Ehiogu miskicked in front of goal after Thompson's free-kick had been scrambled away.

Wednesday were again forced on the back foot in the 30th minute when Dublin failed to find the target after Lee Hendrie had delivered a through ball.

However Wednesday suddenly retaliated and almost took the lead seven minutes later.

Andy Hinchcliffe swung in a dangerous cross from the left that was only partially cleared by Gareth Barry - but Gilles De Bilde reacted instinctively but dragged his effort wide.

Then Villa defender Delaney headed over a dangerous cross from De Bilde with Lee Briscoe in a good position at the back post.

However Dublin was looking impressive for Villa and saw a header come back off the post in the 42nd minute following a fine cross from Hendrie.

Villa manager John Gregory made a switch at half time, bringing on Steve Stone for the ineffective Delaney.

Stone was left limping in the 50th minute after a hefty challenge from Peter Atherton but was able to resume after treatment.

Hendrie had been having a battle all night with Alan Quinn and he lost his cool in the 54th minute and was booked by referee Graham Poll.

Julian Joachim, who replaced Richard Walker a minute later, almost steered Villa into the lead on the hour.

He went up for the ball with Kevin Pressman with the Wednesday keeper spilling it. Dublin swept it home - only for Poll to rule for an infringement.

Wednesday broke forward in the 67th minute and De Bilde delivered a good cross from the left. However Quinn's shot carried little weight and keeper David James was able to save comfortably.

Then a minute later De Bilde, who was becoming increasingly influential, released Danny Sonner - but his finish was wasteful.

Villa stepped up the pace and shot from Dublin was superbly turned away by Pressman after Stone had played the ball in.

Then Watson headed wide for Villa from a good position after Hendrie had cleverly chipped the ball on.

Then, in the fading seconds, Thompson sealed Wednesday's fate just when it seemed they would steal a point - leaving them rooted to second bottom spot.

Teams:

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Nolan, Atherton, Walker, Hinchcliffe, Alexandersson, Jonk, Briscoe (Sonner 61), Quinn, Booth (Cresswell 80), De Bilde.

Subs Not Used: Haslam, Horne, Richardson.

Booked: Quinn.

Aston Villa: James, Ehiogu, Samuel, Barry, Delaney (Stone 46), Watson, Hendrie, Thompson, Wright (Ghrayib 64), Dublin, Walker (Joachim 55).

Subs Not Used: Bewers, Enckelman.

Booked: Hendrie.

Goals: Thompson 90.

Att: 18,136

Ref: G Poll (Tring).