BIRMINGHAM, England - Aston Villa got their season back on track, beating Middlesbrough 2-0 at at Villa Park on Saturday to re-ignite their challenge for a UEFA Cup spot.
Denmark defender Martin Laursen poked the ball over the line on 64 minutes after a Nolberto Solano corner and substitute Luke Moore sliced in a second on 79 minutes to give Villa a much-needed win.
With runaway English Premiership leaders Chelsea set for a Champions League place, their victory in the League Cup final has freed up another UEFA Cup spot for sixth place in the league, giving the likes of Villa an easier target to aim for.
England striker Darius Vassell made his first Villa start since breaking an ankle in October, one of several fresh faces in the home team following their dismal 3-1 defeat to Everton, described by manager David O'Leary as the worst home display under his tenure.
But the first half fare was little better with both sides struggling to create goalscoring chances and Villa looking unlikely to claim a second win in their last six games.
However, the game sparked into life after the interval as Villa upped the tempo.
Solano should have scored in the 55th minute but he somehow missed the target from close range.
Vassell broke down the left before crossing the ball which Boro goalkeeper Carlo Nash and skipper Gareth Southgate failed to deal with.
The ball fell behind Solano who spun on the spot and sliced wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
But the Peru winger, the club's top scorer this season with seven Premiership goals, redeemed himself 11 minutes later by playing a part in both Villa goals.
Southgate conceded a corner from the left which Solano curled to the far post.
Laursen scored his his first Villa goal, taking the ball on the thigh and poking it over the line. Newly-capped England winger Stewart Downing attempted to hook the ball clear but it had already crossed the goal-line.
Solano struck a fierce free kick from the left on 79 minutes which Nash could only parry back into play.
Moore then scored his first for the Villains, reacting first to slice the ball into the top corner to seal the home side's victory.
03/05/2005 14:43 GMT