Aston Villa 0 West Brom 2 - Report and pictures

Robson-Kanu opened the scoring when he sent a looping header over goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic.

And Rodriguez doubled the advantage soon after with a 25-yard strike which deflected off Tommy Elphick and went in off the post.

Tammy Abraham had earlier missed a glorious chance to put Villa ahead when he fired straight at Sam Johnstone from close range.

Analysis

That turned out to be the home side’s best opening of the entire game as they failed to score on their own turf in the Championship for the first time this season.

Albion, by contrast, have now kept four consecutive clean sheets on their travels for the first time since 2002, when boss Darren Moore was playing in the team.

The Baggies have now won seven of their last eight away from home, with this result ensuring they kept the pressure on the automatic promotion places.

For Villa, this was a devastating defeat and one which leaves their play-off hopes hanging by the smallest of threads.

Dean Smith’s men remain seven points adrift of the top six but have now played two games more than many of the teams above them.

After a bright start, in which Villa went close through Abraham, Albion gradually gained the upper hand and took advantage of some terribly slack defending and goalkeeping from their hosts to seize control late in the first half.

Villa keeper Kalinic was culpable for Robson-Kanu’s goal after misjudging the flight of the ball, while Conor Hourihane’s weak challenge then allowed Rodriguez the time and space to fire in the second.

Kalinic, who had earlier received treatment on an injury sustained in a challenge with Jake Livermore, was replaced at half-time by Jed Steer.

The latter could have brought out a deckchair with him, such was the manner in which Albion sat back after the break.

But Villa, despite dominating possession, created precious little in the way of chances.

To cap a miserable day for the hosts, they will now be without John McGinn for two games after the midfielder picked up his 10th booking of the season for a second half challenge on Gareth Barry.

Both teams saw changes from their most recent games. Villa’s both came on the wings, where Ahmed Elmohamady and Andre Green came in for the out-of-sorts Albert Adomah and Anwar El Ghazi.

Albion’s XI featured three changes, which included a return in defence for Ahmed Hegazi.

Moore also welcomed back Robson-Kanu from injury, in addition to restoring Barry to the team as captain.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Stefan Johansen both dropped to the bench, with Dwight Gayle missing out through suspension.

A loud minute’s applause for Gordon Banks and Ian Ross was followed by a frenetic start in which both teams went close to opening the scoring.

Villa were thankful to Elphick for a vital block to deny Mason Holgate after a flowing Albion move had left the full-back bearing down on goal.

Yet it was the hosts who would carve out by far the better opportunity. Albion’s defence was suddenly all at sea as Elmohamady found himself onside and in acres of space. He played in Abraham who, 10 yards from goal and with just Johnstone to beat, could only fire into the goalkeeper’s midriff from close range.

The pace continued to remain high, though composure in both boxes was lacking.

Kalinic rather acrobatically kept out a deflected Murphy strike, while the on loan Norwich winger sent another effort straight at the Croatian after Robson-Kanu had sent him racing into the box.

Villa’s keeper also required treatment after being caught by Livermore, having spilled a Holgate cross.

It was a moment which took on greater significance as Albion scored twice in the closing stages of the half to assume total command.

Kalinic remained rooted to the spot when Robson-Kanu met Holgate’s right-wing cross and watched as the ball looped under the bar and into the net.

Four minutes later, he was beaten again, this time in somewhat more unfortunate fashion.

Rodriguez won the ball in midfield by easily brushing off Hourihane’s weak challenge and saw his 25-yard shot defect off Elphick, beyond Kalinic and into the net.

The goalkeeper’s afternoon was finished soon after, as he was replaced at the break by Steer.

Villa, who had left the field to boos, began the second half looking for a route back into the game and Elphick saw a header cleared off the line.

But despite now dominating possession, with Albion content to sit back and defend what they had, the hosts struggled to create anything in the way of chances.

McGinn, booked earlier for a challenge on Barry, brought a save out of Johnstone with a 25-yard strike, while Tyrone Mings glanced the subsequent corner just wide.

In the final five minutes, Abraham sent a free header wide of the post to some up a miserable day for the hosts.

Key Moments

41 GOAL Albion take the lead, Hal Robson-Kanu heads Mason Holgate’s cross over goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic.

45 GOAL The visitors double their advantage. Jay Rodriguez wins the ball in midfield and sees his 25-yard strike deflect off Tommy Elphick and in off the post.

Teams

Villa (4-3-3): Kalinic (Steer HT), Hutton, Elphick, Mings, Hause, McGinn, Whelan, Hourihane (Ramsey 61), Elmohamady, Abraham, Green (Kodjia 71) Subs not used: Taylor, Jedinak, Adomah, El Ghazi, Steer (gk).

Albion (4-3-3): Johnstone; Holgate, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Livermore, Barry (c), Harper; Murphy (Bartley 78), Rodriguez, Robson-Kanu (Field HT) Subs not used: Adarabioyo, Johansen, Hoolahan, Montero, Bond (gk).