Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier believes the arrival of England striker Darren Bent has played a major role in his side's resurgence.
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier believes the arrival of England striker Darren Bent has played a major role in his side's resurgence.
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Bent, who made a 24 million pounds move to Villa Park from Sunderland last week, scored the winner on his debut against Manchester City on Saturday and was the main man again as Houllier's side defeated Wigan 2-1 at the DW Stadium on Tuesday.
Although Bent didn't get on the scoresheet against Wigan, his dynamic presence up front encouraged Villa to produce the kind of attacking display that has been missing too often for Houllier's liking.
Goals from Gabriel Agbonlahor - his first of the season in the Premier League - and Ashley Young put Villa 2-0 up and although James McCarthy got one back for Wigan it was too late to salvage a draw.
"Sometimes when you recruit a player it takes five or six games before he settles or scores a goal," said Houllier, whose team are now six points clear of the relegation zone.
"Darren scored a vital goal against Manchester City and today I think he was very important in the offensive front.
"His movement is very good but when he doesn't score, it is good if the others score and today Gabby and Ashley did."
Bent had two good opportunities in the first half but Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who also denied Stewart Downing, was again in fine form.
Wigan had good chances through Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega but Villa took control as Agbonlahor nodded home in the 49th minute.
Young added a second from the penalty spot after being brought down by Hendry Thomas on the hour and Villa held on despite McCarthy striking in a rousing Wigan finish.
Houllier added: "I was slightly questioning the fact that, on the back of the Manchester City performance, we would be flat physically.
"In fairness to the boys I think they responded extremely well.
"They kept focused and determined. It was not an easy game, they were just three points behind us.
"In the second half I thought we dominated most of the game, controlled it and passed the ball around.
"We probably deserved the lead and at 2-1, that is where I think the team has mentally progressed and improved.
"There was no sign of panic. They threw everything forward to get an equaliser but we stayed in place."
Wigan remain in the bottom three after just one win in nine but manager Roberto Martinez saw reason for optimism in the way his side finished.
"Obviously it is a feeling of disappointment because we didn't get the result we wanted," he said.
"We had a lot of hope and expectations for this game but if you lose, it is about the manner you do that, and I was extremely proud of the players.
"I thought in the first half we coped with Villa well and had the best chances.
"Sometimes you need that bit of luck with the positioning of the keeper or other times we lacked that composure in the final third.
"The first goal in games like this is always important and we had a soft period when we conceded two goals from two set-pieces.
"It would have been easy to throw the towel in but the reaction was fantastic."
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