*Heskey header steals victory*

Gerard Houllier had Emile Heskey to thank as Aston Villa beat local rivals Wolves 2-1 at Molineux.

The Villa manager’s first top-flight game after a six-year hiatus ended in victory and it came courtesy of a familiar face as Heskey - who played under the Frenchman at Liverpool - powered home a textbook header in the 88th minute.

The visitors were initially in charge of their first derby game of the season after Stewart Downing tucked away Marc Albrighton’s fizzed cross midway through the first half.

But Wolves came out fighting in the second period and grabbed a deserved equaliser just after the hour mark when Matt Jarvis’ cross-cum-shot deceived Brad Friedel before nestling in the back of the net.

But Heskey, who was given a starting berth after scoring in midweek, rewarded his manager’s faith with a superb finish to silence the home fans and give Villa local bragging rights.

Villa were the better side in the first half with Ashley Young impressing in his role just behind the revitalised Heskey.

Nigel Reo-Coker was dominant in midfield while Carlos Cuellar made a series of crucial interceptions when Wolves did threaten.

But Wolves were a revitalised force in the second 45 minutes with Brad Friedel the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Jarvis, who grabbed his first goal of the campaign, was at the heart of their most threatening moments while David Jones impressed in the centre of the park before Heskey denied them a point.

It means Villa, who rise to fifth in the table, are unbeaten in 17 matches with Wolves stretching back 30 years.

*Clearcut*

The home side created the first good opening after six minutes when Kevin Doyle’s reverse pass picked out the run into the box of David Edwards.

But he hesitated for a split second and eventually shot high and wide when under pressure from Warnock.

Wolves were playing at a high tempo and Reo-Coker made a brave block on Karl Henry’s shot after Cuellar had headed clear a Jarvis corner.

Warnock became the first player to be yellow carded - and for the third successive league game - in the 18th minute after a sliding challenge on Edwards.

Hahnemann reacted sharply to keep out a downward header from James Collins following a Downing corner.

Villa started to enjoy more possession and after 26 minutes Downing put them ahead.

Reo-Coker found Heskey who held the ball up well before finding Albrighton in space on the right.

He drilled a dipping centre right across the six-yard box and Downing stayed on-side to deflect the ball past Hahnemann from close range.

Villa dominated proceedings but it needed a double save from Friedel to keep Villa on level terms after 35 minutes.

First the veteran goalkeeper parried a fierce volley from Steven Fletcher and then kept out the follow-up effort from Doyle.

Wolves were forced to make a change in the 38th minute when Stephen Ward limped out of the action to be replaced by George Elokobi in a straight swap at left-back.

A long throw from Elokobi caused problems and Cuellar had to block an effort from Jody Craddock.

*Impressive*

Wolves made an impressive start to the second period and Warnock escaped a second yellow card after bringing down Doyle in a counter-attack by the home side.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy appeared unhappy with the decision and made his feelings known to the fourth official.

Villa were forced to back pedal and Friedel went down to his right to keep out a volley from Christophe Berra.

Craddock was booked after bringing down Ashley Young but after 61 minutes, Wolves got back on level terms through Jarvis.

The English midfielder cut back inside onto his right foot and floated a dangerous ball across the box. Edwards attacked the ball but failed to get a touch and it flew across Friedel into the far corner of the net.

Ashley Young continued to pose the biggest threat for Villa and one cross just evaded the run of Reo-Coker before the visitors brought on striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in place of Albrighton after 66 minutes.

Hahnemann produced a superb finger-tip save to keep out Ashley Young’s rasping drive before Adlene Guedioura came on for Edwards in the 81st minute and quickly tested Friedel with a low drive.

The match looked set to be heading for a third consecutive stalemate between the Midland rivals but with three minutes remaining Heskey snatched the winner.

Warnock supplied a probing cross from the left flank and Heskey rose to place a header into the corner of the net giving Hahnemann no chance.

In injury-time Villa substitute Steve Sidwell, who had replaced skipper Stiliyan Petrov, was yellow carded for a challenge on Guedioura who was stretchered off to leave Wolves down to 10 men.

The hosts huffed and puffed for an equaliser but it did not come and McCarthy’s side stay 16th in the table just a point above the relegation zone.