West Brom 1 Aston Villa 2: John Carew tormented the West Brom defence as Martin O'Neill's side registered a third away win in six days to maintain a push for a Champions League spot. The Norwegian international scored once but could have finished with a hat-trick after twice being denied by the woodwork.

Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor struck twice in the space of 90 seconds during the first half and the Baggies could only muster a James Morrison goal in reply after a Brad Friedel error.

Villa were well worth their win and are showing they now have the strength in depth to cope with a Premier League and Uefa Cup campaign.

O'Neill was able to bring Carew, Ashley Young and Curtis Davies back into his starting line-up after missing the mid-week European trip to Bulgaria — a luxury that was never available to him last season.

But there is now quality cover at his disposal and Albion found it virtually impossible to handle the power of Carew while Ashley Young's free-kicks were a constant source of danger.

Gareth Barry also impressed in the middle of the park for the visitors and there are signs of him getting back to his best after the aborted Liverpool transfer saga.

Albion knocked the ball around in a pleasing fashion and deserve credit for not caving in after Villa's quickfire double blast but playing only one main striker in Roman Bednar means opportunities are limited in front of goal.