Aston Villa 0-1 West Brom: Controversial striker Saido Berahino nets first goal since Deadline Day madness as Baggies win derby

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Saido Berahino scores his first goal since botched Deadline Day move to give West Brom win at Aston Villa
Striker's first half goal is the difference between two evenly matched sides in Midlands Derby at Villa Park
Aston Villa have Micah Richards' second-half header disallowed as they slip to second defeat in a row

Published: 10:52 EST, 19 September 2015 | Updated: 12:15 EST, 19 September 2015

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From a tweet posted in anger to a goal scored with glee. In the end, a minor touch was all it took for Saido Berahino to reignite his West Bromwich Albion career and earn a victory of great significance.

Starting his first game since claiming he would never again wear the blue and white stripes of West Brom, Berahino made a statement of an altogether different kind. He deliberately deflected a fairly tame shot by James Morrison to wrong-foot Brad Guzan and complete his reintegration into the squad.

He celebrated like it was his first goal, surrounded by teammates who have previously grown irritated by his conduct. At the final whistle he threw his shirt into the travelling section who sung his name loudly.

Controversial striker Saido Berahino celebrates putting West Brom 1-0 up in the Midlands derby at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon

The want away striker had threatened to go on strike and never play again for West Brom under their chairman Jeremy Peace

The England under 21 international celebrates scoring his first goal since his failed deadline day move to Tottenham Hotspur

There was no hint of fortune to Berahino's first goal of the season as his deliberate deflection wrong-footed a stranded Brad Guzan

The striker stuck his leg out to meet James Morrison's shot on goal and the ball deflected off his leg and past Guzan

Saido Berahino celebrates his winning goal with West Brom's big-money summer signing from Zenit St Petersburg Salomon Rondon

Goalscorer Berahino celebrates what proved to be the only goal of the game with team-mate Chris Brunt

Tony Pulis gave him a hug, Craig Gardner pointed his way, Darren Fletcher jumped onto his shoulders. A single goal to change the atmosphere comprehensively.

The same applies the opposite direction. Aston Villa supporters booed their displeasure at losing to city rivals, a second defeat in succession, and Tim Sherwood must now realise a relegation battle beckons.

Villa claimed victory on this ground twice against West Brom in the space of five days in March, the second win sparking scenes described by Pulis as from the hooligan heydays of the 1970s.

A heavy police presence surrounded Villa Park in response, but the needle was consigned to verbal barbs, with West Brom fans airing the less-than-complimentary song dedicated to Sherwood once in their seats. They will always remember the Villa manager’s assessment of their club as ‘little’.

PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE STATS

Aston Villa 4-2-3-1

Guzan 6.5; Hutton 6.5, Richards 6.5, Lescott 6.5, Amavi 6; Westwood 6, Sanchez 6 (Veretout 82’); Gil 5.5 (Bacuna 76’ 5), Sinclair 5 (Gestede 46’ 5.5), Grealish 5; Agbonlahor 5

Subs not used: Bunn, Clark, Cole, Ayew

Booked: Gil, Amavi

Manager: Tim Sherwood 6

West Brom 4-5-1

Myhill 7; Dawson 7, McAuley 7, Evans 7, Brunt 6.5; McClean 6 (Olsson 90’), Morrison 6.5, Yacob 6.5, Fletcher 7, Berahino 7.5 (Gardner 67’ 6); Rondon 7 (Lambert 90’)

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Chester, McManaman, Gnabry

Goal: Berahino 39

Booked: Brunt, Morrison, Yacob

Manager: Tony Pulis 7

MOM: Berahino

Referee: Martin Atkinson 7

Attendance: 36,321

Pass map of Saido Berahino's winning goal CLICK HERE for all the stats from our Match Zone

Carlos Sanchez of Aston Villa blocks the shot of James Morrison of West Brom during a tightly-contest affair at Villa Park

Aston Villa captain Micah Richards had the ball in the back of the West Brom net after rising over Boaz Myhill but his effort was ruled out

Gabriel Agbonlahor contests a decision with referee Martin Atkinson on a frustrating afternoon for Aston Villa

Aston Villa teenager Jack Grealish goes to ground under a heavy challenge from West Brom's Claudio Yacob

In the build-up to this game Sherwood preferred to focus on how big he believes Villa remain, and also attempting to salvage positives following his desolation at losing to Leicester last Sunday from 2-0 up.

He made only one change to that team, recalling Alan Hutton for Leandro Bacuna to add defensive security. Joleon Lescott was playing against the club he left on deadline day.

Pulis selected Berahino from the start for the first time since facing Watford on August 15, although the 22-year-old operated wide left in a 4-5-1 formation rather than alongside Salomon Rondon.

West Brom’s record signing nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes. Chris Brunt crossed from the left and Rondon ghosted in front of Lescott to connect firmly with his head. Brad Guzan fended away sharply with his left glove.

The visitors kept up their early pressure and twice went close from corners delivered by Berahino. Jonny Evans found space but nodded over, then Gareth McAuley drew a save from Guzan although the whistle also went for a Villa foul.

Tim Sherwood and Tony Pulis share a joke on the touchline ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Villa Park

In the 19th minute Craig Dawson dug out a good cross to Berahino but the shot was tame and Guzan gathered.

Villa fans were growing agitated at the lack of penetration from their team but the mood was energized by Ashley Westwood’s attempt from long range, even if the ball whizzed wide.

In the 26th minute the hosts created their first proper chance. Gabby Agbonlahor beat Gareth McAuley in a foot race to a long ball then cut inside the defender to reach the box. He pulled a cross back to Carles Gil, whose goalbound first-time strike was blocked by Claudio Yacob, who winced having been hit flush in the groin.

Darren Fletcher provided a moment to admire in a game sparse on quality, bursting past Westwood in midfield and clipping a shot from range with little backlift but excellent direction. Guzan sprawled to save.

Then six minutes before the interval West Brom took the lead. Dawson beat Jordan Amavi to a 50-50 ball by the box and James McClean’s cross looped high to Rondon.

Rudy Gestede and Gabby Agbonlahor both leap high in the air under the close attention of Yacob and Jonny Evans

Jack Grealish looks disconsolate as he trudges off the pitch as Villa continue to search for their first win since the opening day

Matchwinner Saido Berahino throws his shirt into the away end as the West Brom players thank their fans for the support

The Venezuelan striker laid it back to Morrison, whose side-footed effort was deliberately deflected by Berahino to wrong-foot Guzan. The wild celebrations told of a player committed to the cause again. He even waved his arms in a boing-boing tribute.

Berahino just looked happy to be scoring after managing 20 last season, his last coming back on May 18 against Chelsea.

Sherwood drew criticism for his substitutions in the 3-2 defeat to Leicester, but acted quickly here, replacing the ineffectual Scott Sinclair with Rudy Gestede at half-time to add an aerial threat.

Villa did improve, but not enough. Carlos Sanchez had Villa’s first shot on target in the 52nd minute, but Boaz Myhill held easily. The West Brom goalkeeper did the same with Gil’s free-kick soon after.

Gareth McAuley salutes a delirious away end as Pulis' side claim their second win of the season and move up to 10th in the table

In the 63rd minute Villa appealed for a penalty when Berahino flung out an arm to block Hutton’s cross. Referee Martin Atkinson awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area however, and replays backed his call on the placement, although the ball seemed to strike Berahino’s side. Gil pulled the free-kick back to Jack Grealish, whose shot went wide. Roy Keane, sitting in the crowd, will have noted.

Eight minutes later Villa had the ball in the net when Micah Richards nodded in Westwood’s cross, but Atkinson had already blown for a foul on Grealish. It did appear the West Brom defenders had halted to allow Richards space.

West Brom still posed a threat and Rondon twice threatened but Guzan stopped each time.

Sherwood was desperate to alter matters, but boos echoed out when he replaced Gil, a crowd favourite, with Leandro Bacuna 14 minutes from the end. The idea was to feed Gestede with better crosses but there was no late rally.