Record signing Juan Pablo Angel brought some much needed cheer to Aston Villa
with his 13th goal of the season - and piled on more misery for 10-man Derby.
Man of the match Angel struck the first half winner barely a minute after the
relegation-threatened Rams had seen Francois Grenet given a harsh instant red
card for a challenge on Lee Hendrie.
Villa totally dominated proceedings and were already in the driving seat even
before the Grenet dismissal gave them a numerical advantage.
The full-backs Mark Delaney and Jlloyd Samuel were able to get forward to good
effect, particularly in the first half, and gave Villa plenty of width on the
flanks.
Paul Merson, who was celebrating becoming a father again after his partner
gave birth to twins on Friday, also did well in the centre of the park.
Up front Angel caused plenty of problems for the Rams rearguard and his close
control and first touch was particularly impressive while his strike partner
Darius Vassell was also sharp.
For all their territorial dominance, Villa were unable to kill off their
opponents as the Rams defence, in which Danny Higginbotham was a solid
performer, clung on.
But they will view this victory as the first small step in trying to rebuild
their season.
Villa manager John Gregory has set his side the target of a UEFA Cup spot
after a plummet down the Premiership and Worthington Cup and FA Cup exits in the
past two months.
At last they are heading back in the right direction after only one win in the
previous 13 games.
But Derby, although they could have no complaints about the outcome, can feel
aggrieved about the sending-off of Grenet following a 24th minute challenge on
Hendrie.
A mountain that had already looked steep to climb became almost insurmountable
and they spent the rmainder of the game on the back foot.
Villa dominated from the first whistle and it came as no surprise when they
broke the deadlock after 12 minutes after Luciano Zavango had been booked for a
foul on Paul Merson.
Peter Schmeichel pumped forward the resulting free-kick which was flicked on
by Juan Pablo Angel into the path of Vassell.
The England Under-21 striker took the ball in his side and rifled a rising 15
yard shot past Mart Poom in the roof of the net.
It was his first goal since he had been on target in the 3-2 win against
Bolton in late October and his eighth in total of the campaign.
Rams boss Colin Todd made a tactical switch, bringing on play-maker Giorgi
Kinkladze and taking off defender Steve Elliott, but it needed a blunder by
Villa 'keeper Peter Schmeichel to help them get back on level terms.
The great Dane failed to control a back pass from Samuel and was dispossessed
by Malcolm Christie.
Samuel tried to clear his eventual low cross but the ball only cannoned off
Darryl Powell and flew into the corner of the net.
But any joy that Derby may have been feeling was quickly dispelled by the
sending-off of Grenet and Angel's 13th goal of the season.
First Grenet was given an instant red card for a crashing challenge on Hendrie
by referee Mark Halsey.
Then the Derby defence was nowhere as Ian Taylor sent over a deep cross from
the right flank and Angel rose at the far post to head past the exposed Poom.
It was one-way traffic towards the Derby goal with Poom pulling off a fine
save to turn behind a powerful left-footed drive from Vassell.
The game followed the same pattern after the break and Hendrie volleyed only
just wide after latching onto a pass from Delaney.
But Villa tended to be over-elaborate at times and were relieved when the
linesman's flag was raised to rule out an effort for off-side against Ravanelli
after Schmeichel had blocked Christie's shot.
Hendrie again went close with a rising drive from the edge of the area but
Villa were strugglng to apply the killer touch.
The closest they came to scoring again was when a drive from Hassan Kachloul
was tipped over by Poom.
Teams
Aston Villa: Schmeichel, Samuel, Mellberg, Staunton, Delaney,
Hendrie (Hadji 79), Boateng, Merson (Barry 90),
Taylor (Kachloul 58), Angel, Vassell.
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Balaban.
Booked: Samuel, Mellberg.
Goals: Vassell 12, Angel 26.
Derby: Poom, Riggott, Higginbotham, Elliott (Kinkladze 22),
Grenet, Ducrocq, Powell, Boertien, Zavagno (Bolder 68),
Ravanelli, Christie.
Subs Not Used: Burton, Mawene, Oakes.
Sent Off: Grenet (24).
Booked: Zavagno, Kinkladze, Boertien.
Goals: Powell 23.
Att: 28,881
Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).
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