Yorke goals condemn Bolton

DWIGHT Yorke maintained his rich vein of scoring form to keep Aston Villa among the premiership pace-setters.

Villa are heading for Europe. Bolton for the Endsleigh League.

Yorke took his tally for the season to 16 with a goal in each half to keep Villa up with the chasing pack.

Bolton had an inkling of what was to come when Tommy Johnson struck the post from 20 yards after being released by Mark Draper.

Villa took the lead five minutes before the break when Yorke headed in at the far post beyond keeper Keith Branagan.

Alan Wright began the move, picking out Draper in the penalty box. He was able to turn and get in a cross which Yorke got on the end of.

The Trinidadian got his second eight minutes after the break after Johnson and Charles had linked up. Yorke again made space to head firmly past Branagan.

That second goal effectively ended the match as a contest and Villa could have increased the scoreline.

Bolton keeper Branagan did well to push away a fierce volley from Draper after he had been set up by Johnson.

Savo Milosevic then turned quickly past Alan Stubbs only to fire the ball wide of the post.

Stubbs was given a torrid time by the big Serbian. who skipped past him again only to see his shot blocked superbly by Branagan.

Bolton's best spell came before the opening goal when keeper Mark Bosnich did well to push over a free kick from Sasa Curcic.

Then Richard Sneekes picked out Fabain de Freitas but his header carried little power and was safely taken by Bosnich.

With only 12 League games left to play. Bolton need little short of a miracle to escape relegation. In contrast, however. the future is bright for both Villa and Yorke.