Crystal Palace hauled themselves out of the bottom three after Andy Johnson scored twice to sink Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old scored once in each half - latching onto a Thomas Sorensen fumble for the first and lashing home a penalty for the second - his side's first goals at home for four games.

Wayne Routledge also impressed for Iain Dowie's side as they ran out deserved winners at Selhurst Park.

After losing out to Everton for transfer-target James Beattie, David O'Leary's lack of striker options were evident, with no clear-cut chances created.

Luke Moore was dropped to the bench, denied the chance to become Villa's first striker to score a goal since the start of November, and lone-striker Juan Pablo Angel was often isolated.

Dowie, however, has Johnson. The former Birmingham striker enraged Villa fans earlier this season with his celebrations after scoring at Villa Park, and frustrated them further with his brace.

Palace were playing with confidence and had a strong penalty shout early on when winger Routledge collected the ball on the left.

The youngster appeared to be tripped by Mark Delaney but referee Andy D'Urso waved play on.

The home side continued their pressure and more good work from Johnson resulted in a cross from a tight angle only for Aki Riihilahti and Ben Watson to get in each other's way.

Riihilahti was back in his own area a minute later to tackle Lee Hendrie at the front post following a low cross from Samuel. Hendrie also had a curling shot from the edge of the area after 13 minutes - but keeper Gabor Kiraly collected easily.

Johnson flashed a shot just wide from long distance before Vassilis Lakis created the first real chance, riding Ulises De la Cruz' tackle only for Thomas Sorensen to tip over his fierce shot.

The Greece midfielder tried against from the corner and Johnson directed the effort straight at the keeper.

But Johnson was not made to wait long, Sorensen failing to deal with Ben Watson's low right-footed drive from 25 yards, and the striker smashed the rebound into the top corner.

The Eagles could have added more before the break, Johnson denied another goal when he finished well but the ball had gone out of play from a corner.

Kiraly saved a strong Solano drive three minutes before the break but there was little conviction in the visitors' attacks.

After 62 minutes Johnson showed the creative side to his game as he held the ball up well and crossed for Watson, who steadied himself before firing a volley wide of the upright from 15 yards.

Three minutes later Routledge, now on the left, dazzled Samuel with his trickery before crossing to Lakis who was tripped by Delaney.

D'Urso pointed to the penalty spot and Johnson scored with confidence to make it 2-0, despite Sorensen guessing the correct way.

Lakis nearly earned another penalty but D'Urso this time waved play on after appeals for handball against Delaney.

Villa could have responded immediately but Davis' volley was straight at Kiraly. After the Hungary keeper claimed a cross there was a melee in the penalty box as the game approached the final stages.

Johnson could have added a third but fired straight at Sorensen from long distance late - but he had already inflicted the damage.

Teams

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Butterfield (Boyce 75), Powell, Hall, Granville, Routledge, Watson (Leigertwood 66), Riihilahti, Hughes, Lakis, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Speroni, Freedman, Shipperley.

Booked: Hughes, Granville.

Goals: Johnson 33, 66 pen.

Aston Villa Sorensen, De la Cruz, Delaney, Ridgewell, Samuel, Solano, Hendrie (Luke Moore 66), McCann, Davis, Barry, Angel.

Subs Not Used: Postma, Berson, Whittingham, Stefan Moore.

Booked: McCann, De la Cruz, Luke Moore.

Att: 24,140

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).