Hassan Kachloul struck his first goal for Aston Villa to lift them into third spot in the Premiership as they edged out battling but outplayed Charlton at Villa Park last night.
The Moroccan international, back in the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, maintained Villa's unbeaten home record with a first-half strike. Kachloul was a threat down the left flank, linking up well with Lee Hendrie, while Mark Delaney made some probing runs on the opposite side of the pitch.
Villa totally dominated the opening 45 minutes and Dean Kiely had already saved an effort from the lively Hendrie before Kachloul made the breakthrough after nine minutes.
An inswinging corner from Steve Staunton was met by Vassell and, although his header was blocked by Mark Kinsella on the line, Kachloul was on hand to crash the ball home.
ASTON VILLA: Schmeichel, Delaney, Alpay, Staunton, Wright, Boateng, Hendrie (Taylor 70), Hadji, Kachloul, Dublin, Vassell. Subs Not Used: Merson, Enckelman, Ginola, Balaban. Goals: Kachloul 9.
CHARLTON: Kiely, Young, Konchesky, Fish, Brown, Powell (Peacock 85), Parker, Jensen (Robinson 69), Kinsella, Bartlett (Euell 45), Johansson. Subs Not Used: Roberts, Fortune.
Referee: D Pugh (Bebington).
