Derby derail slack Villa

DERBY effectively guaranteed their Premiership status with an impressive display which also dented Aston Villa's UEFA Cup hopes at the Baseball Ground.

There was little excitement in the early stages with a low 20-yard drive from Alan Wright saved away to his left by recalled Rams keeper Russell Hoult the only worthwhile shot on target in the first 20 minutes.

But then Villa striker Savo Milosevic missed a great chance to put his side ahead when he fired over from 12 yards out after bursting into the area.

This proved a costly miss and in the 21st minute Derby went in front courtesy of Gary Rowett's first goal for the club.

Dean Sturridge was the creator with a run into the area down the left in which he evaded the challenge of Fernando Nelson before chipping the ball into the centre.

It fell invitingly into the path of the onrushing Rowett who gave Vjlla keeper Michael Oakes no chance with a low drive from 15 yards out.

Villa retaliated with Yorke shooting just wide from the edge of the area but the home side went further ahead in the 36th minute courtesy of more fine play by Sturridge.

He chased back into his own half to dispossess Gareth Southgate and then turned defence into attack with a fine 40-yard ball which picked out Robbie Van Der Laan.

The Derby captain cut inside David Hughes and his low cross shot rocketed into the far corner of the net past the despairing dive of Oakes.

Villa came close to reducing the arrears in the 54th minute when Ugo Ehiogu sent a powerful header inches over the top from a Nelson free-kick whilst Derby thought they had increased their lead four minutes later when Southgate could only help the ball into his net in trying to keep out a Paul McGrath effort but the goal was disallowed for pushing.

Villa' gave themselves hope in the 84th minute when substitute Julian Joachim took advantage of a mistake by Rowett but it was too little, too late.