Aston Villa 0 West Brom 1 reaction: Player ratings from Villa Park

Who was the star man?

STAR PLAYER:

Saido Berahino knows how to make an impact - on and off the field - and he clinched a keenly contested derby with a poacher's finish. The striker started the game on the left, although was given scope to cut inside, and he continued his rehabilitation with a committed display. Berahino was often helping his defenders out, although was lucky not to concede a penalty when penalised for a debatable handball when he seemed to be inside the area. It was a welcome - and much needed - return to the Baggies' line up.

PLAYER RATINGS

Aston Villa

Brad Guzan: 6 (out of 10)

Alan Hutton: 6

Joleon Lescott: 6

Micah Richards: 6

Jordan Amavi: 6

Ashley Westwood: 6

Carlos Sanchez: 6

Carles Gil: 6

Jack Grealish: 6

Scott Sinclair: 6

Gabby Agbonlahor: 6

Subs

Rudy Gestede: 6

Jordan Veretout: 6

Leandro Bacuna: 6

West Brom:

Boaz Myhill: 6

Craig Dawson: 7

Gareth McAuley: 7

Jonny Evans: 7

Chris Brunt: 7

James Morrison:7

Darren Fletcher: 7

Claudio Yacob: 7

James McClean: 7

Salomon Rondon: 7

Saido Berahino: 8

Subs:

Craig Gardner: 6

Jonas Olsson: 6

Rickie Lambert: 6

MOMENT OF THE MATCH:

Saido Berahino's goal surprised no-one. The forward has dictated West Brom's story this season with his strike threat and rejected transfer request and he continued to make the headlines.

Craig Dawson's strong tackle allowed James McClean to cross for Salomon Rondon on the edge of the box. He teed up James Morrison and Berahino stuck out a leg to deliberately divert it past the stranded Brad Guzan.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH:

Tony Pulis continues to do what he knows best as Albion kept a fourth clean sheet in all competitions.

They had previously missed Saido Berahino, with Pulis leaving him out over concerns over his state of mind during Tottenham's interest, and the manager would have been delighted with his impact and all round work-rate.

Tim Sherwood tried to address Villa's lack of punch by throwing on Rudy Gestede at the break but it did little to solve the hosts' problems.

MOAN OF THE MATCH:

The long-suffering Aston Villa fans are still looking for home comforts following another disappointing display at Villa Park.

Villa have not won in the Barclays Premier League since the opening day of the season and fell to a second straight defeat to local rivals following last week's 3-2 defeat at Leicester.

The fans booed the team off at half time and then at full time, and jeered Tim Sherwood's decision to replace crowd favourite Carles Gil with Leandro Bacuna.

Villa Park was half empty by the time the whistle blew and those who stuck around vented their anger.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Aston Villa v Birmingham (Capital One Cup, September 22)

Norwich City v West Brom (Capital One Cup, September 23)

PA