3-0

*Aston Villa put their stuttering pursuit of a top four-finish back on track with a superb win over Hull City.*

Richard Dunne fired the home side into the lead before Hull’s Jimmy Bullard limped off with a knee injury.

James Milner doubled Villa’s lead, lobbing Matt Duke from 25 yards with the Tigers keeper stranded after racing out to head the ball into touch.

Substitute John Carew rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot after Duke brought down Ashley Young.

The victory was only Villa’s second win in seven league matches, and left them level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham.

Hull’s defeat brings to an end a run of four unbeaten matches and reduces the cushion they had established between themselves and the relegation zone to just three points.

Hull manager Phil Brown’s recent decision to curb his touchline antics has had a positive effect on his side but they gave him little to cheer as Villa took control from the off.

Luke Young danced through the Hull defence on the right and only a superb save from Duke prevented the full-back from giving Villa the perfect start.

However, it was not long before Villa’s dominance was rewarded.

As with so much of Villa’s play, Milner was the architect, picking out Dunne in acres of space, with the centre-back able to control before firing a shot into the roof of the net.

Moments later, Hull’s misery was compounded when midfielder Bullard clashed with Milner and went off with a serious-looking injury to his left knee.

Bullard, who left the pitch in tears, had only returned to action in October after nine months out because of an injury to his right knee.

Ironically the injury halted Villa’s momentum, but not for long and with the half hour approaching they doubled their lead in style.

A long ball forward from Gabriel Agbonlahor forced Duke to leave his area and head the ball out for a throw-in on the right touchline.

With the keeper desperately scampering back to his goal, Villa substitute Steve Sidwell played the role of ball-boy to perfection, tossing the ball to Agbonlahor, who in turn took a quick throw-in to Milner.

Positioned 25 yards from goal the midfielder still had plenty to do but executed the most expert of angled lobs over defenders and the retreating keeper and into the back of the net.

Villa continued to create chances with Stewart Downing inches away from scoring on his first league start for Villa with a rising 25-yard drive.

Villa continued to press after the break but met with a more resolute Hull and the visitors almost gained an undeserved foothold on the hour.

Substitute Craig Fagan picked up the ball 25-yards from goal and struck a fierce drive that beat Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel but not the cross-section between bar and post.

That was the closest Hull came to a goal and with three minutes to go Villa put the result beyond doubt.

Winger Young’s pace took him clear of the Hull defence before he was sent tumbling in the area by Duke, giving referee Stuart Attwell an easy decision in pointing to the spot.

Substitute Carew strode up and slammed the ball down the centre of the goal.

It was a particularly sweet moment for Young, who had endured chants from the travelling Hull fans questioning his future involvement with the national side.

With the World Cup draw now known, England coach Fabio Capello will be particularly cheered with the form of Milner who is looking like a strong candidate to make his 23-man squad for South Africa.

*Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill:*

“The first half we were exhilarating. It was probably as good a performance as we’ve had this season.

“The second half was a bit of a battle, but overall I thought we were terrific.

“James Milner has come in and played central midfield and he’s done exceptionally well.”