Wolves piled on the misery for Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as a first-half strike from Matt Jarvis decided a tense Barclays Premier League relegation clash.

Jarvis' fifth goal of the season earned Wolves a first win over their derby rivals in 31 years and took them to just a point behind Villa.

Villa fans chanted 'We want Houllier out' at the final whistle and greeted his walk to the tunnel with loud boos.

Houllier had incurred the wrath of some Villa fans recently when he fielded a much-changed side for the FA Cup clash at Manchester City.

Then this week the former Liverpool boss has had to deal with the fall-out from the Richard Dunne-James Collins bust-up with coaching staff at a team bonding session.

But this defeat will have hurt the Frenchman as it has sucked Villa right into the heart of a survival battle.

They have taken only five points from the last six games.

It was only Wolves' second away victory of the campaign but Mick McCarthy's side are now unbeaten in four games.

Before kick-off a banner was unfurled on the Holte End with the message 'Had enough, Houllier out' but it was quickly taken down by a steward.

Wolves made a positive start and went close to taking the lead after two minutes.

Winger Adam Hammill got past Villa left-back Nathan Baker and squared the ball back to Nenad Milijas whose low 20-yard shot was turned aside by Brad Friedel.

The visitors were looking full of confidence and Kevin Doyle had a low drive blocked by Kyle Walker.

Friedel then went down at the foot of his post to keep out a Hammill effort, with Jarvis in a good position in the middle.

Play was flowing from end to end and fit-again Villa defender Carlos Cuellar headed over from an Ashley Young corner.