Andy Townsend earned Villa a thrilling victory in a stunning five-goal encounter with struggling Sheffield Wednesday at Villa Park.

Townsend's 75th minute strike ended a spell of four goals in the space of just 14 minutes as battling Wednesday were sent tumbling close to the relegation trap door.

The defeat was a bitter blow for Wednesday who had looked set to end a dismal run of five defeats in six games thanks to a stunning debut from their new £1 million winger Regi Blinker.

The Dutch international struck twice in his first appearance following his move from Feyernoord last week, but his heroics were matched by Villa's own foreign star, Savo Milosevic, who ended his two-month drought with a double second half blast.

But any hopes Wednesday had of picking up at least a point after grabbing their first away goals since December were dashed by Townsend.

The Republic of Ireland international picked up a back heel from Dwight Yorke and gave Woods no chance.