Aston Villa 2, Wanderers 0: DISAPPOINTING Wanderers crashed to defeat at Villa Park where Dion Dublin and Darius Vassell scored the vital goals.

Vassell put the home side two goals up with just 10 minutes remaining to confirm a disappointing start to the New Year for Wanderers.

An eighth minute goal from Dion Dublin gave the home side a well-deserved lead as they dominated the first-half.

Sam Allardyce's side were hoping for a fourth successive unbeaten result over the festive period and with games for West Brom and West Ham both called off take advantage to create a bigger gap way from the drop zone.

Sunderland's heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford - they led until nine minutes from the end despite overwhelming United pressure - leaves the third bottom Wearsiders one point below Wanderers.

Aston Villa : Postma , Edwards , Samuel , Mellberg , Wright , Cruz , Hendrie , Hitzlsperger , Barry , Dublin , Angel . Subs: Enckelman , Vassell , Ridgewell , Kinsella , Cooke

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen , Barness , Bergsson , Whitlow , Charlton , Pedersen , Nolan , Frandsen , Gardner , Ricketts , Okocha. Subs: Bulent , Facey , Livesey , Tofting , Poole

Referee: M Messias (N Yorkshire)