Agbonlahor bags brace as Villa win

Agbonlahor netted twice as Martin O'Neill's side took advantage of the Gunners being held at Middlesbrough in the lunchtime kick-off to move a point clear.

Victory extended Villa's unbeaten league run to five games but this was only their second home top flight win since September.

After 18 minutes Bolton stunned the home fans by going ahead through Johan Elmander's fifth goal of the season.

Kevin Davies did well to supply a low cross from near the by-line and Elmander's back heel at the near post was enough to beat Brad Friedel even though he got some of his body to the ball.

But the home side were not to be denied and in the 24th minute a superb finish by Agbonlahor, volleying Martin Laursen's long ball home, brought them level.

Then five minutes before half-time an own goal from Davies put Villa ahead. The Bolton striker was under pressure from Laursen when trying to deal with a Gareth Barry left-wing cross and only succeeded in heading into his own net.

Ashley Young set up the third goal for Agbonlahor after 67 minutes. He managed to get in his cross despite the attention of two defenders - and Agbonlahor did the rest with a close range header.

Then with 12 minutes left Agbonlahor turned goal provider, setting up Ashley Young whose low shot took a slight deflection off Gary Cahill before flying past Jussi Jaaskelainen into the corner of the net.

Davies headed a late consolation goal for Bolton from a Gretar Steinsson cross.