IF Albion fans could have pre-ordered a weekend then there’s every chance it would have taken the following format.

A bank holiday on Friday. More time down with friend, no work, no school.

A bank holiday on Monday. See above.

Oh, and the small matter of Premier League survival and victory over Villa. Twenty six years and counting.Carl Valentine need never be hassled again.

The former Baggies winger, with his strange Mancunian-Canadian accent, has forever spoken of his pride at being the last man to score a winner against Villa back in April 1985. Not any more.

Albion fans need to enjoy this moment. They’ve waited long enough - both to feel a part of the Premier League and to feel ‘top dogs’ in the West Midlands.

The Baggies did it the hard way.

Sat in the directors’ box were Steven Reid and Chris Brunt. Notable absentees, crucial performers.

Jerome Thomas, a livewire down the left, was also injured. And then there were further casualties on the field. Gonzalo Jara, wounded in combat, added to the woe. And Paul Scharner. Booked in the first-half, trod a fine-line between twisting and sticking. He twisted, he saw red. He sits out the trip to Molineux. Albion’s loss is definitely Wolves’ gain in that respect.

But, back to Saturday, Albion were hurt early on. Abou Meite had a moment when the ball was swung in from the right. He sliced it past Scott Carson. Bad luck.

What he didn’t do was wilt. Instead he and Jonas Olsson went onto be dominant. Meite was excellent from about the 15 minute mark onwards, Olsson was just excellent full stop. Robust, assured, vibrant. The full-backs did struggle pre-interval. Nicky Shorey was given a torrid time before the break by Stewart Downing and Kyle Walker.

Villa were one nil ahead at the break. Downing walked off the pitch laughing. It wasn’t to last.

Albion reshuffled after the break. The equaliser was messy. James Morrison’s free-kick was nodded on by Jonas Olsson, Simon Cox snatched at the shot, which appeared to strike Paul Scharner. Peter Odemwingie buried it.

A draw would have done. One point each, survival, thank you very much. For both clubs. That was looking likely, not least when Scharner launched himself at Petrov. The Austrian walked off and threw his shin pads onto the ground.