*Angel double sinks Wolves*

Two first-half goals from Juan Pablo Angel set Aston Villa on their way to victory in the West Midlands derby on Sunday.

Wolves pulled it back to 2-1 before the break through Alex Rae but when Gareth Barry made it 3-1 three minutes into the second half it looked as though Villa were home and dry.

Wolves kept battling away and although Mark Kennedy’s strike ensured a nervous last 10 minutes for Villa the hosts held out to win the first league meeting between the sides since 1984.

The win lifted Villa out of the bottom three and leaves Wolves anchored firmly to the foot of the table, while Angel’s goals were his first in the Premiership since the start of October.

Wolves created the first opening in the third minute but Colin Cameron shot high and wide and Villa were soon on the attack.

Mark Kennedy came to the rescue of the visitors when he headed Olof Mellberg’s header off the line before Angel came to life.

He had already sent one effort wide and seen a header comfortably saved by Michael Oakes before breaking the deadlock with two goals in three minutes.

The opener came when Gareth Barry spun past Oleg Luzhny on the left and drilled the ball across the goal for Angel to finish at the far post.

The cheers from the Holte End had barely died down before Angel took his goal tally for the season to double figures.

Mark Delaney was freed down the right by Gavin McCann and he raced to the bye-line before pulling the ball back to Angel, who sent his finish into the corner of the net.

Wolves, without an away win this season, gave themselves a lifeline after 36 minutes.

Rae burst into the Villa penalty area and took full advantage when the ball rebounded off Barry by drilling a low shot past Sorensen.

But three minutes into the second half Villa extended their lead as Angel turned provider.

His first-time pass allowed Delaney all the time in the world to steady himself before sending over a low cross which Barry volleyed in with his right foot at the far post.

Wolves boss Dave Jones made a double substitution, with Cameron and Dean Sturridge being replaced by Jorge Manuel Silas and Kenny Miller, and they cut the deficit with 10 minutes to go.

Kennedy latched onto Miller’s pass but ultimately his low finish was not enough to prevent Wolves’ ninth league defeat of the season.