Round-up: Milner stakes his World Cup claim as Villa maul tame Tigers

Published on Saturday 5 December 2009 20:51

ASTON Villa 3 Hull City 0

JAMES Milner delivered another reminder why he should be part of England's World Cup squad by inspiring Aston Villa to a comfortable home win over Hull which maintained their European push.

Milner set up the opening goal for central defender Richard Dunne and scored the second himself before half-time with an exquisite lob.

John Carew added a third from the penalty spot two minutes from time.

To make matters worse for the Tigers, midfielder Jimmy Bullard had to be substituted after 18 minutes through injury to his left knee, which has been responsible for lengthy lay-offs in the past.

The former Fulham player had only returned to action in October after nine months out and had played a major role in Hull's recent revival.

But it is doubtful whether even Bullard at his best would have been able to contain Villa who produced some of their best football in months in the first half, much of it inspired by Milner.

Arsenal 2 Stoke City 0

ARSENAL moved into third place with a morale-boosting win over Stoke.

Andrey Arshavin, who was by far the Gunners' best player, slotted home from a tight angle in the first half just minutes after Cesc Fabregas had missed a penalty on his 250th appearance for the club.

After a largely frustrating second half, impressive substitute Aaron Ramsey sealed the win with a cool finish ten minutes from time.

Blackburn Rovers 0 Liverpool 0

STEVEN Gerrard was unable to inspire Liverpool in his 500th match for the club, with a goalless draw at Blackburn not good enough to turn around their faltering season.

David Ngog missed a glorious chance following fine work from Glen Johnson, hitting the crossbar from four yards with the goal gaping.

Portsmouth 2 Burnley 0

HERMANN Hreidarsson's goal set Portsmouth on their way to a priceless 2-0 victory over Burnley at Fratton Park. Defender Hreidarsson fired the South Coast club ahead after 65 minutes, thanks to a brilliant ball from substitute Kanu, while Aruna Dindane atoned for a poor penalty miss in the first half by firing home the second with seven minutes remaining.

The win is the first under Avram Grant and will go some way to lifting the gloom around the club following another week of strife, which saw the first-team again suffer a delay in receiving their wages. Hreidarsson was the player brought down in the build up to Dindane's penalty miss.

Wigan Athletic 2 Birmingham 3

A RESURGENT Birmingham produced a rousing second-half comeback to leave frustrated Wigan boss Roberto Martinez to contemplate yet another wretchedly inconsistent afternoon.

It is now six matches without defeat for Alex McLeish's side who find themselves riding high in the Barclays Premier League, and comfortably on course for their stated aim of survival. Two free-kicks from Sebastian Larsson sandwiched a second of the season for Christian Benitez, all in the space of 11 maddening minutes for Martinez, whose side had easily led 1-0 at the break via a stunning effort from Charles N'Zogbia. Jordi Gomez earned Wigan a late consolation, curling home a 22-yard free kick in the 89th minute.

Wolves 2 Bolton 1

STRUGGLING Wolves held on for a vital 2-1 win over Bolton at Molineux for a third success of the season.

Veteran Jody Craddock turned home Christophe Berra's header from six yards for the opener before a sensational hit from Nenad Milijas stretched the lead after 63 minutes.

Johan Elmander got the consolation.