By Ryan Ghee
January 2 2006

Aston Villa got the new year off to the best possible start with a 2-1 win against local rivals West Bromwich Albion. Goals from Steven Davis and Milan Baros ensured Villa took all three points from The Hawthornes, with Steve Watson scoring what proved to be a consolation for the the Baggies. The victory means O'Leary's men have remained unbeaten over the festive period, recording two wins and two draws and earning an impressive eight points out of a possible twelve during the hectic Christmas schedule.

The match got off to a lively start with West Brom's Jonathan Greening creating the first real opportunity of the match but the former Manchester United midfielder failed to convert the cross from Nwanku Kanu.

Despite the early scare, Aston Villa were not put off their game and for the remainder of the first period, O'Leary's men had total control over proceedings.

Luke Moore, again preferred upfront instead of Juan Pablo Angel, came within inches of opening the scoring but his close-range effort rebounded off the crossbar and, in the end, came to nothing.

Minutes later, James Milner saw his effort drift wide of the post as his deflected effort went just wide of Kuszczak's post.

From the resulting corner, Gavin McCann almost scored his first league goal for the Villans but his first time effort was spectacularly saved by the impressive West Brom goalkeeper.

With Villa still causing great panic in the home side's penalty area, Mark Delaney almost scored his second goal of the festive fixture list but he diverted Mellberg's downward header way over the West Brom bar.

Going into half-time, somehow the match remined goalless and despite creating a host of chances, Villa just couldn't find the net in this entertaining midlands derby.

However, O'Leary's half time team-talk clearly worked wonders as, with their first attack of the second half, Villa found the net and deservedly took the lead at The Hawthornes.

Baggies defender Neil Clement failed to deal with Steven Davis' through ball and after good work from Milner out wide, the England U21 international looped the ball across to Davis who headered the ball home at the far post.

Despite conceding the goal, West Brom still looked pretty lifeless as Villa continued to control the game without creating any more clear-cut chances.

In the last twenty minutes however, the home side finally started to threaten the Villa goal and after a smart Taylor save from Greening's header and a turned down penalty appeal, Bryan Robson's side got themselves on level terms.

After Stuart Taylor failed to deal with Greening's 76th minute cross, the ball fell to former Villan Steve Watson who drilled the ball into the Villa net through a crowded penalty area.

Just four minutes later though, Villa regained the lead after West Brom's goalscoring hero handled Gareth Barry's goalbound free-kick, resulting in a Villa penalty.

Milan Baros stepped up from 12-yards out and made absolutely mistake as he drilled the ball straight down the middle to give Villa the perfect start to 2006: all three points against their local rivals.