Aston Villa 2 West Bromwich Albion 1: Full time report
picked up Davies who headed past Carson - a Villa team-mate of his last season.
Davies trotted back to the halfway line after showing only the slightest of celebrations at breaking the deadlock.
The home side were now in the ascendancy and Ashley Young's curling shot from the edge of the Villa box was only just off target with Carson at full stretch.
James Milner was becoming an increasing influence and one low cross from the club's record signing picked out Sidwell who would have been disappointed to sidefoot his shot just wide.
And after 41 minutes some dreadful defensive play by the visitors led to Villa doubling their lead.
Barry slipped the ball into the path of England striker Agbonlahor on the left flank and he must have been surprised at the lack of a challenge as he cut into the box.
But then Carson allowed Agbonlahor's shot from a narrow angle to deflect off him, squirm under his body and roll over the line. The shot had been going wide, across the face of goal.
Mowbray made a half-time substitution, replacing Moore with six-goal leading scorer Bednar.
Within four minutes Bednar had made a telling impact in setting up a goal for Morrison.
Greening curled the ball into the box and Bednar headed back to Morrison who had time to steady himself before drilling a fierce shot, which took a slight deflection, past Friedel.
Villa retaliated and Carson partially atoned for his error by making a superb reflex save to turn aside a volley from Sidwell after being teed up by Ashley Young.
The goalkeeper also clung to a drive from Ashley Young after the Villa danger man had cut into the box.
Bednar's presence certainly had livened up the visitors and Friedel held a powerful attempt from the former Hearts player.
Morrison needed treatment to his leg after being accidentally injured in a challenge by Ashley Young but was unable to continue and replaced by Chris Brunt.
Laursen became the first player to be booked after 74 minutes for a foul on Simpson after he had turned sharply.
Agbonlahor could have sealed the game in the closing seconds but drilled his shot across the face of goal.
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