HT: Wolves 0-1 Aston Villa - Downing puts Villa ahead

Stewart Downing scored his third Barclays Premier League goal of the season to put Aston Villa ahead against Wolves at Molineux.

The England winger converted a low centre from youngster Marc Albrighton after 26 minutes.

Villa were in the ascendancy for most of the first half although they needed keeper Brad Friedel to make a double save to deny Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle an equaliser.

Emile Heskey was handed his first Barclays Premier League start for six months by new Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier for the derby clash with Wolves at Molineux.

The former England striker was rewarded for an impressive performance as substitute in the mid-week Carling Cup clash with Blackburn and replaced Gabriel Agbonlahor who was on the bench.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made two changes from the side beaten 3-1 at Tottenham last weekend.

Christophe Berra, who had been suspended for that game, replaced Richard Stearman at the heart of the defence.

Dave Edwards came into midfield at the expense of Michael Mancienne.

Steven Fletcher, who had operated in a wide midfield role at White Hart Lane, was expected to move up front alongside Kevin Doyle.

Villa midfielder Marcus Albrighton made a good early run past the challenge of Stephen Ward but his cross was cut out by Marcus Hahnemann.

Wolves retaliated and Carlos Cuellar blocked a low drive from Kevin Doyle.

The home side created the first clear-cut opening after six minutes when Doyle's reverse pass picked out the run into the box of David Edwards.

But he hesitated for a split second and eventually shot high and wide when under pressure from Stephen Warnock.

Wolves were playing at a high tempo and Nigel Reo-Coker made a brave block on Karl Henry's shot after Cuellar had headed clear a Matt Jarvis corner.

Reo-Coker made a surging break to the edge of the Wolves box before being stopped in his tracks by Kevin Foley's challenge.

Then a probing ball from Albrighton was only just too long for the run to the far post of Heskey as Villa came more into the game.

Warnock became the first player to be yellow carded - and for the third successive league game - in the 18th minute after a sliding challenge on Edwards.

A mistake by Fletcher let in Albrighton but his 25-yard drive was easily collected by Hahnemann, who then reacted sharply to keep out a downward header from James Collins following a Stewart Downing corner.

Villa started to enjoy more possession and after 26 minutes Downing put them ahead.

Reo-Coker found Heskey who held the ball up well before finding Albrighton in space on the right.

He drilled a dipping centre right across the six yard box and Downing stayed on-side to deflect the ball past Hahnemann from close range.

Villa had seized control in midfield with Reo-Coker particularly impressive.

Ashley Young fired a shot across the face of goal after linking up well with Albrighton as Villa dominated proceedings.

But it needed a double save from Friedel to keep Villa on level terms after 35 minutes.

First the veteran keeper parried a fierce volley from Fletcher and then kept out the follow-up effort from Doyle.

Wolves were forced to make a change in the 38th minute when Stephen Ward limped out of the action to be replaced by George Elokobi in a straight swap at left-back.

Villa were in the ascendancy although Albrighton failed to make full contact on a shot from the edge of the box which Hahnemann collected.

A long throw from Elokobi caused problems and Cuellar had to block an effort from Jody Craddock.