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Aston Villa 1-0 Hull City
Match Reports, 22:03, May 4, 2009 ,
John Carew's strike gave Aston Villa their first win in 10 league games to condemn relegation-threatened Hull to another defeat.
Martin O'Neill's men finally found a win on Monday night to move them back above Everton and up to fifth in the table, while the Tigers remain in the scrap at the bottom, just three points clear of Newcastle, who occupy the final relegation place.
Villa had the better of the first half with Carew glancing a header just wide early on before James Milner's well-struck free-kick was turned over the bar by the impressive Boaz Myhill in the visitors' goal.
Hull had worked hard to restrict the home side but were undone by Carew on 34 minutes when the Villa striker turned home Ashley Young's teasing cross from the left. The Tigers' defence as one appealed for offside and they may have had a case as Carew appeared to be half a yard the wrong side of Michael Turner but the goal stood and O'Neill's side went in at the break in front.
Gareth Barry almost extended the home side's advantage minutes into the second period when he fired a delicious effort towards the top corner only for Myhill to tip it round the post.
Hull continued to huff and puff without ever really threatening Brad Friedel and the Villa defence largely held them at bay while Milner forced Myhill into another smart stop with a low drive at the other end.
Villa were nervous as they closed in on a win and, despite a late rally by Hull, they held on for a just-about-deserved win.