A great performance by Villa's youngsters downed the Baggies in a full throttle all entertainment game at Villa Park. Although there wasn't too many chances created in the game, the two sides provided 3 goals, all good ones.
It was West Brom that started the livelier with a great chance just 2 minutes into the game, Tchoyi did well to earn a corner, he then flicked the ball in and with the defence at sixes and sevens, Fortune could not get the shot he wanted and Friedel made the stop.
Tchoyi was causing Villa problems down the right and he twisted and turned Collins easily before unleashing a venomous shot that rattled Villa's crossbar on 20 minutes, then a minute later Fortune tried his luck, beating Collins and getting a good shot, that went wide.
But, it was Villa that struck first. Sloppy play at the back by the visitors, Albrighton stole the ball, faked a cross, nutmegged his defender, leaving 2 players in his wake, sending a delightful cross from the bye line. Young flicked on the cross and Downing won the race to the free ball and helped it home on 24 minutes.
Ten minutes later, great work by Bannan, who shook his man, but was forced to hit his shot with his right foot and it went wide.
Albion went in at half time wondering how they were behind, with good possession, and a strong forward line bullying Villa's defenders.
Villa, seemed to have their defensive line shored up in the second half and aside from a couple of long spells of possession, the Baggies rarely threatened until late.
Albrighton came very close with a header from a Downing centre, while both Jara and Morrison should have done better with an effort each one after the other.
Then we had a couple of yellow cards as Albion fouled Ashley Young 5 times in the opening 17 minutes of the half. One of the cards was for winger Thomas, for a typical forward tackle. Fair play to the lad, he plays with a smile on his face. Albion and Villa are going to have classic encounters in the future with players like Thomas and Albrighton causing chaos and creating non stop. Despite a very good performance, credit should be given to Lichaj for keeping him at bay mostly.
Villa were starting to get a true hold on the game, winning the fifty/fifty balls more often than not. Heskey, was giving the Albion a torrid time upfront and Ashley Young just tormented them so much, that it seemed they just wanted to get him out of the match any way possible.
But, it was Albrighton that was the hero of the day and he came up trumps with 10 minutes left.. Great work by Downing and Young on the right. Both tried crosses, Downing's was met by Collins, but went out wide. Albrighton gathered and fired a wicked cross, that Heskey met with his head and found the inside of Carson's net.
Of course, just when Villa have something wrapped up, they love to unwrap it. They took off the effective Heskey and replaced him with Delfouneso, and to be honest, if they had just gone to ten men, I don't think anyone would have noticed.
In the last minute of proper time, Scharner, who was recently out of favour at the Hawthornes, but is the perfect type of player for a derby game, rose to head Albion's 13th corner into the corner of Villa's net, leaving Villa fans to bite nails for an agonizingly long 4 1/2 minutes. albion did create a golden chance in the first minute of stoppage time, when Thomas broke through, but shot high.
Villa fans will feel justified in calling for Carlos Cuellar's return to the side, while Collins' game improved as the match wore on. But, the question still remains, why do they give up so many late goals?