ASTON Villa stayed on course for Europe by inflicting on Sheffield Wednesday their first home Premiership defeat in more than four months in a game that was marred by an angry fan confronting visiting boss John Gregory.

Gregory’s anxiety will have been eased though by goals from Dwight Yorke, Lee Hendrie and Julian Joachim which keep Villa on the brink of a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Villa were never shackled at any time by Wednesday, who looked like a side at the end of their season and with nothing left to play for.

During the course of the game Sheffield boss Ron Atkinson changed tactics and personnel, but it did nothing to alter the outcome as Villa served notice of just what could be on offer next season in a complete campaign under Gregory.

Villa never looked troubled at any time in making it eight League wins in 10 games since Gregory took charge, stroking the ball around, playing patient football and waiting for the openings to appear. It did not take long for Wednesday to be prised apart.

In the 21st minute, Nelson whipped in a curling cross for Yorke to side foot home his 15th goal of the season from just outside the six-yard box.

Four minutes later, Villa doubled their advantage with a Lee Hendrie strike.

Former Villa boss Atkinson changed tactics 10 minutes from half-time but Villa continued to rip through the Wednesday rearguard at will and should have been four goals clear at the break.

Eventually, they went 3-0 up in the 50th minute with debutant Gareth Barry playing his part with his second touch of the ball.

Barry, on seconds earlier for the injured Taylor, provided a simple pass for Yorke to touch on to Joachim and the striker beat Pressman from six yards.

Italian teenager Francesco Sanetti showed he could be one for the future as he beat Oakes in the 89th minute. Too little, too late for Wednesday.