H-T Aston Villa 0-1 Wolves: Jarvis gives visitor vital lead

Matthew Jarvis gave Wolves a deserved half-time lead in the Barclays Premier League derby away to fellow strugglers Aston Villa.

The midfielder broke the deadlock seven minutes before the interval with a superb finish from 15 yards.

Wolves deserved their lead with Villa's Brad Friedel the busier of the two keepers, although Jean Makoun squandered a great chance to level on the stroke of half-time.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier handed a first Barclays Premier League start to defender Chris Herd.

Australian Herd, a product of Villa's academy, and the fit again Carlos Cuellar replaced the injured Luke Young and suspended Ciaran Clark.

Midfielder Jean Makoun returned after a three-game ban in place of Fabian Delph.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made one change from the side which drew 3-3 at home to Tottenham.

On-loan Jamie O'Hara, who had been ineligible to face his parent club Spurs, came in for Stephen Ward in the second striker role behind Kevin Doyle.

Before kick off a banner was unfurled on the Holte End with the words 'had enough, Houllier out' but it was quickly taken down by a steward.

Wolves made a positive start and came close to taking the lead after two minutes.

Winger Adam Hammill got past Villa left-back Nathan Baker and squared the ball back to Nenad Milijas, whose low 20 yard shot was turned aside by Brad Friedel.

Villa retaliated and a dangerous centre from Stewart Downing was headed clear by Richard Stearman.

But the visitors were looking full of confidence and Kevin Doyle had a low drive blocked by Kyle Walker.

Friedel then went down at the foot of post to keep out a Hammill effort with Matt Jarvis in a good position in the middle.

Play was flowing from end to end and Cuellar headed over from an Ashley Young corner.

Young and Downing linked up well down the left but the former over-hit his final pass to Darren Bent.

Wolves were looking a threat and Christophe Berra headed home a Hammill centre after 21 minutes.

But it was ruled out for offside by referee Phil Dowd.

Young was posing Villa's biggest hope of breaking the deadlock and one low centre eluded everyone in the danger area.

Wayne Hennessey held onto an inswinging free-kick but Wolves were looking the more likely to go ahead.

Doyle had the ball in the net after half an hour with a far post header.

But the cross from Hammill had drifted out of play for a corner after taking a deflection.

Wolves defender Richard Stearman was yellow carded after 31 minutes for a foul on Young.

Houllier made a change after 33 minutes minutes with Baker, who was showing no visible signs of carrying an injury, replaced by Delph at left-back.

Berra exited the pitch, presumably for some treatment, but he returned to play a part in Wolves taking the lead after 38 minutes.

Milijas delivered the cross from the right and Berra flicked the ball onto Jarvis, whose first time shot from 15 yards flew past Friedel into the corner of the net via a post.

It was Jarvis' fifth goal of the campaign and fourth in the Premier League.

Makoun should have put Villa level as half-time approached.

The former Lyon player was completely unmarked but headed Stewart Downing's centre wide.