IAN ORMONDROYD revelled in his role as Aston Villa's new folk hero after he had scored his first senior goals at Villa Park.

The 6ft 4in striker - nicknamed Rodney by the Hotle End fans because of his similarity to Rodney Trotter of the BBC's Only Fools and Horses TV blockbuster has suddenly become everyone's favourite.

His two goals in Villa's latest spectacular helped them to another exciting win over their old whipping boys Coventy City.

The Sky Blues are still waiting for their first win at Villa for 53 years and Ormondroyd saw to it that they were well and truly flattened again. Ironically.

Ormondroyd, who has worn his £650,000 record transfer fee most uneasily since his arrival from Bradford nine months ago, has heard the fans jeers turn to cheers since he returned for the 6-2 humiliation of Everton a fortnight ago.

"I knew the supporters were on my back last season when the results were going against us," he said.

"But there was no way I was going to back out of this club because of them. I think I have won them over now and I believe I am a better player for the experience."

Ormondroyd, who started the demolition of Coventry in the 11th minute after a superb defence-splitting run by Tony Daley, had a word of comfort for unsettled Nigel Callaghan.

The former Derby County winger has asked for a transfer after also being barracked by Villa fans but Ormondroyd said: "Hopefully, he will come through it like I have done."

Villa's latest victory, which briefly took them to third in the First Division, was hugely entertaining with Daley's pace torturing Coventry's defence.

The young winger created the second goal in the 20th minute with Steve Ogrizovic palming out his angled cross only for Trevor Peake to ram the ball into his own net as he ran back.

Coventry threatened to fight their way back with Michael Gynn pulling a goal back seven minutes later.

But Ormondroyd added a vital third with a 54th minute header which flew in off the bar after Kent Nielsen had flicked-on Gordon Cowans' left-wing corner.

The luckless Peake then upended David Platt in the area with the new England midfielder hitting the fourth from the spot after 73 minutes.

It was all too much for some of Coventry's players with Smith, Brian Borrows, Kevin MacDonald and Speedie being booked in the second half.