Yorke edges Villa closer to survival

THE most important pair of goals' Dwight Yorke has yet scored in his life lifted Aston Villa three places up the Premiership table and away from the relegation zone.

The Trinidadian international struck in the 25th and 36th minutes against a disinterested Liverpool side to become the first Villa striker to score since the calamitous 4-4 draw here with Leicester on February 22.

That was the date Villa men count as the night their season started spiralling out of control.

But Yorke's double, taking his season's tally to eight, earned Brian Little's team only their second win in 12 games and so stopped or halted at least the downward plunge.

This was the first time Liverpool have lost away since November. But, European qualification already assured, this was a summer stroll for them at a ground where they have not won a League game for 11 years.

Results from elsewhere provided practically all the excitement of the second half after Yorke's goals had been the highlight of a thrilling first period.

With Norwich now relegated after their defeat at Leeds, today's results keep the Premiership relegation battle going right to the final day when Villa go to Carrow Road.

Villa, buoyed by Wednesday's draw with Manchester City, were intent on going for the jugular right from the off although it was only after Yorke breached David James' goal for the first time that conviction was coupled with commitment.

Midweek scorer Ugo Ehiogu decided to join in the attack, breaking into the Liverpool penalty area and exchanging a high-risk one-two with lan Taylor. James saved bravely, but from Staunton's corner and with James possibly impeded by Ehiogu, Yorke was unmarked to head in.

Sloppy defensive work from Liverpool helped set up Villa's second, Dean Saunders, named before the match as the club's player of the year, collecting Mark Wright's poorly-judged header and whipping in a near post centre which Yorke dived at to head home.

Staunton, sent clear by Townsend, and Taylor, almost put in after Saunders sprinted away from a Liverpool defence melting in the sun threatened a third Villa goal before the break.

But common sense and the heat took over in the second half as Villa shut up shop and played neat possession football.

The final whistle was marked with great cheering which the players followed up with a lap of honour, although whether that is for securing their Premiership safety will not be finally clear until a week Sunday.