Aston Villa 4 - West Brom 3: Benteke spot on to cap comeback

ASTON VILLA’S fans couldn’t believe this. They’ve suffered the worst entertainment at home of any club in the Premier League this season and here they were enjoying a classic.

Fabian Delph scores Villa s third Fabian Delph scores Villa's third [ACTION]

And it was against West Brom, the club from four miles up the road.

Villa stormed back after conceding two goals in the first nine minutes to lead twice and finally win this latest derby in the 129-year history of the fixture.

Chris Brunt and a Fabian Delph own goal gave West Brom a whirlwind start to manager Pepe Mel’s first taste of this game.

Andreas Weimann and Leandro Bacuna pulled Villa level and after Delph had put them ahead, Youssouf Mulumbu made it 3-3 – all before half time, only the sixth time in Premier League history there has been so many goals before the break.

Christian Benteke kept the entertainment high octane with his 64th minute winning Villa penalty , plunging the Baggies close to a relegation struggle.

West Brom have only won one of their last 13 league games and none at all away since their best moment of what is becoming a depressing season- victory at Manchester United.

They are only three points away from the relegation area and if Mel wasn’t aware of it when he succeeded the sacked Steve Clarke, he has a fight on his hands to keep them safe.

"It is close,” said Mel when asked if the Baggies are looking at a relegation fight. “It is three points the difference and a win can make a big difference. There are many teams close together

“What has to be done now is think and plan for our next game.”

That’s at home to Liverpool on Sunday and judging by what goal shy Villa did to the Baggies , Suarez and Sturridge should have a party.

For Villa this was dreamland. They’d scored eight goals and got eight points out of 11 home games before this derby delight.

Albion went two up early in the derby at The Hawthorns two months ago and tried unsuccessfully to keep to that script.

But, against the script, Villa didn’t wait until the second half as they had in November for a revival .

“It was a tremendous comeback, that’s the magnitude of it,” said Villa manager Lambert.

“Being two down at home to your local rivals wasn’t great, but my players will take great heart and confidence from that for the next time they play at Villa Park.”

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Christian BentekeChristian Benteke celebrates his winner [ACTION]

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What an earth did Mel make of this full blooded ding dong? He is used to the Spanish intensity of the Seville derby , but this was traditional West Midlands, cold, wet and aggressive.

But, against the tradition of this venerable old fixture, it became a goal festival.

Mel stood on the touchline in a wet black coat while Lambert was amazingly in only a light pullover, as if it was a warm night in Spain.

Maybe it was Villa’s fightback that kept him hot. Certainly West Brom couldn’t keep Villa’s temperature down.

Brunt’s fourth minute goal was excellent, taking a pass from Liam Ridgewell, controlling it with his right foot and slamming his drive left footed, a half volley, screaming past Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Villa were still dizzy, still unsure , when Albion came back at them again five minutes later , James Morrison’s squared pass from the same area where Ridgewell did his damage being turned in past his own ‘keeper by Delph.

Given Aston Villa’s awful home record that ought to have been terminal, but they revved themselves up and stormed back into contention.

Guzan’s free kick flew off Abion defender Diego Lugano’s head, leaving Weimann free to crash in for the first revival goal in the 12th minute.

Then Bacuna scored 13 minutes later. It came from a Matthew Lowton cross in the 25th minute, Bacuna looping the ball up and watching as it finished over the line.

Delph, hit a superb third in the 37th minute, taking advantage as Benteke’s header came towards him, beating defender Steven Reid, and firing an unstoppable drive.

Benteke thought he’d put Villa 4-2 ahead three minutes before half time, but Foster, going the wrong way, saved with his foot.

But, just as you believed the game was taking some order, Mulumbu claimed West Brom’s third, two minutes before half time,taking advantage of both Morrison’s pass and two Villa defenders’ failure to stop him.

There were changes for the second half- Lambert put a coat on and Mel put a bigger coat on. The football was the same though.

Lugano missed a great chance with a diving header and then hauled Benteke down for the 64th minute penalty that decided a dramatic derby.

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