West Brom beat Villa

West Bromwich - Ten-man West Bromwich Albion rallied to beat Midlands rival Aston Villa 2-1 for the first time in 26 years on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson's side moved to mid-table safety despite going behind in the 4th minute after West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite deflected in Stewart Downing's low cross from the right wing.

West Brom equalised through Peter Odemwingie's 14th goal of the season in the 60th at The Hawthorns. The Nigeria international latched onto the ball after Villa failed to clear James Morrison's deep free kick.

Two minutes later Paul Scharner was sent off for a second yellow card for tripping Stiliyan Petrov but West Brom secured victory through a goal from Youssouf Mulumbu after a breakaway attack with six minutes to go.

West Brom, which last beat Villa in a competitive match in April 1985, lacked captain Chris Brunt, winger Jerome Thomas and defender Steven Reid through injuries. It has now taken 16 points from nine matches under Hodgson but also conceded at least one goal in its last 33 Premier League games.

Everton remains seventh in the table with 48 points. West Brom is provisionally 11th with 43 points.