A first-half winner from Ashley Ward gave Barnsley their first ever victory at Villa Park and renewed hope of avoiding relegation from the Premiership.

Ward's eighth goal of the campaign enabled the Tykes to move within two points of fourth-from-bottom Tottenham Hotspur - and they have a game in hand on their London rivals.

Tonight's win was only Barnsley's second away from home this season but will give them some encouragement to defy the odds and beat the drop as they enter the final 10 games of the season.

Ward's strike certainly brought Villa back down to earth with a bump after their flying start under new manager John Gregory.

Villa were in almost total charge in terms of possession from start to finish, but it was one of those nights when little went right for them following the euphoria of the wins over Liverpool and Chelsea.

They produced some neat build-up play but only occasionally did they seriously threaten the Barnsley goal until the final quarter, as the visitors defended with great resolution.

The visitors often dragged nine or 10 players behind the ball, but it was an effective tactic and showed just how much Barnsley have progressed after their succession of early season hammerings.

When Villa did break through they were foiled by a combination of some dreadful finishing and some fine saves by Barnsley goalkeeper David Watson.

But Barnsley still posed enough of a threat on the counter-attack to worry Villa, with England Under-21 midfielder Martin Bullock an influential figure.

Villa quickly established a territorial dominance, and Ian Taylor was only inches away from making contact after Dwight Yorke headed a Steve Staunton centre back across goal.

But after all their neat approach work the home side were stunned when Barnsley grabbed a 17th-minute lead with their first worthwhile attack.

Neil Redfearn and Bullock were instrumental in carving out the opening for Ward, who cut inside before driving in a left-footed drive from 15 yards.

Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich got his hand to the shot, but it contained sufficient power to cross the line.

The hosts tried to retaliate, and Lee Hendrie came close to equalising when he burst clear after playing a one-two with Alan Wright.

But Watson did well to block his resulting shot, and Julian Joachim, the goal hero at Stamford Bridge, was unable to keep the rebound down.

Villa continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession. But their build-up was too predictable, and Barnsley defended in depth and still carried a threat on the break.

They went close to going further ahead after 34 minutes when Bullock laid the ball back into the path of Darren Barnard, whose shot from 12 yards out was beaten away by Bosnich.

The second half began in almost identical fashion, Villa pinning the Yorkshire club back for long periods but being kept at bay by some staunch defending.

Watson held on to an effort from Hendrie, and then Alan Wright drilled over the top from 20 yards. But it was substitute Darren Byfield who wasted a golden chance to become an instant hero.

Byfield, who replaced Simon Grayson, chested down a cross from Ugo Ehiogu but then dragged his shot wide.

Villa strove desperately to find an equaliser, and Watson had to react well to tip over a header from Ehiogu, who then sent another header wide when well placed.

The pressure was maintained to the final whistle, Taylor heading over from close range and Watson beating out a shot from Hendrie.

But Barnsley held firm, and the reaction from their 2,000 fans at the final whistle was as if they had won the championship.

Teams

Aston Villa: Bosnich, Staunton, Southgate, Ehiogu, Taylor, Draper, Yorke, Joachim, Wright (Nelson 80), Grayson (Byfield 56), Hendrie.

Subs Not Used: Charles, Collins, Oakes.

Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Sheridan, Moses, Redfearn, Bullock, Jones, Barnard (Tinkler 88), Ward, Morgan, Fjortoft (Liddell 61).

Subs Not Used: Marcelle, Hristov, Leese.

Goals: Ward 17.

Att: 29,519

Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).