Juan Pablo Angel secured all three points for Aston Villa in their Premiership clash with Charlton at The Valley this evening with his 10th league goal of the season. Villa made sure of their victory before half-time when Angel followed up Darisu Vassell's deflected opener with his strike. Charlton did pull one back through Graham Stuart on 88 minutes but it proved too little too late for the home side as the visitors held on for victory.
Charlton had began tonight's game very brightly yet found themselves a goal down after just eight minutes. From Villa's first purposeful attacking move, Mark Fish fluffed a clearance and Jlloyd Samuel picked out the unmarked Vassell. He fired towards goal but Jorge Costa's desperate lunge looped the ball over Dean Kiely and into the back of the net.
As the half-time break approached, Charlton had begun to dominate proceedings and looked to be getting back into the game until Villa struck for their second right at the interval. George Boateng set up Angel and the Colombian international took two touches before driving the ball low and hard past Kiely.
Charlton were given a late lifeline when Graham Stuart fired home from the spot after Angel fouled substitute Kevin Lisbie but there was no time left for the hosts to chase for the all-important equaliser. Meanwhile, in the FA Cup Third Round replay at London Road tonight, Peterborough overcame Darlington 2-0 to set up a fourth round clash with Newcastle.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
