The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sherwood’s delight with first victory as Villa boss
A STON VILLA moved out of the relegation zone last night with a 2-1 victory over West Brom as Christian Benteke’s lastminute penalty gave manager Tim Sherwood his first win in charge.
A pulsating derby appeared to be heading for a draw when Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster brought down Matthew Lowton with seconds remaining and Benteke coolly stroked home Villa’s first penalty of the season.
Sherwood sank to his haunches in celebration as Villa, without a win in 12 Barclays Premier League matches, climbed above Burnley and QPR and out of the bottom three.
Gabriel Agbonlahor had fired Villa into a 22nd-minute lead — his fourth goal of the season and first since late-November — after earlier seeing a shot squirm past Foster before clawed back by the keeper on the line. Agbonlahor was also denied a penalty after being fouled by Foster and Fabian Delph struck a post as Villa went in search of a crucial second goal.
But Albion came right back into the game in the second half and Saido Berahino levelled after 66 minutes when he met Joleon Lescott’s knockback and headed home his 18th goal of the season in all competitions from close range.
Hull drew 1-1 with visiting Sunderland in another relegation tussle, which saw Black Cats manager Gus Poyet sent to the stand following a first-half altercation with Tigers boss Steve Bruce.
The two men had to be separated on the touchline after Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell fell in the box on 35 minutes and was booked for simulation by referee Mike Dean.
Dame N’Doye’s third goal in five games since his January move from Lokomotiv Moscow had given Hull a 15th-minute lead, with Rodwell equalising.
Southampton moved above Liverpool into the top f ive with a 1-0 home victory over Crystal Palace with a Sadio Mane finish seven minutes from time.