Villa 2 West Brom 1 - Report and pictures

Saido Berahino's second-half equaliser looked set to break Villa hearts only for Benteke to score from the spot with almost the final kick of the game, after dreadful goalkeeping from Ben Foster.

Berahino struck on 66 minutes to put the Baggies within seconds of a point despite a display that was well below-par in the first of their two visits in five days to Villa Park.

Villa had led through Gabby Agbonlahor's 22nd-minute strike and they should have been out of sight before Berahino proved to be 'Johnny on the spot' for his 18th goal of the season.

Agbonlahor could have had a hat-trick as Tim Sherwood's men dominated but he was thwarted by a goalline clearance by Joleon Lescott, a fortunate save from Foster and a rebound off the woodwork.

But it mattered not after the late drama that give Villa a huge three points in their quest to stay in the top flight.

Albion received a major pre-match boost when leading scorer Berahino was declared fit after a foot injury and strike partner Brown Ideye overcame a knee problem.

The pair, who both limped off during Saturday's 1-0 win over Southampton, both started as boss Tony Pulis named an unchanged team for the third game in a row.

Villa made one change with former Albion loanee Scott Sinclair dropping to the substitutes' bench as Charles N'Zogbia was given a starting berth.

The first few moments were scrappy with Albion looking to get Ideye in behind the Villa back four and the hosts keen to use the pace of Agbonlahor.

The Baggies kept possession effectively for a moment and released overlapping left-back Chris Brunt, but his cross from deep was over-hit.

Tom Cleverley attempted to use the power of Benteke by hitting a ball over the top for the bustling striker to chase, but Foster raced out to get there first.

On 15 minutes, the Baggies' No 1 had a major let-off, however, as he fumbled a shot from Agbonlahor after the Villa man had turned away from Lescott and fired at goal.

Foster reacted quickly and clutched the ball, with goalline technology proving it was centimetres from crossing the line as Villa appealed for the opening goal.

Villa were having the better of the game in the middle period of the opening half and they threatened again, when Albion backed off too far and Cleverley lifted a shot just over the bar and into the North Stand.

Albion failed to heed the warnings and, as they continued to gift cheap possession to the hosts, they were punished on 23 minutes for some awful defending.

They were undone by a straightforward punt from Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan which was flicked on by Benteke.

Agbonlahor darted in behind Lescott and produced a fine finish to put Sherwood's men in front.

Albion were finding Agbonlahor's pace impossible to handle and he almost made it 2-0 just before the half-hour.

He raced onto another flick and got away from got away from Lescott again before beating Foster to the ball and firing towards an open goal.

But Lescott did superbly to rectify his original error, chasing back to clear off the line.

Albion were second best in too many areas as Villa continued to hold the upper hand.

And when the Baggies eventually won a corner on 33 minutes, Brunt failed to beat the first defender and Villa almost broke away.

Albion fed Brunt again on the overlap but the former captain put too much power in his cross and Villa cleared.

Goals: Agbonlahor 22, Berahino 66, Benteke (pen) 90.

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Lowton, Cleverley (Bacuna 77), Westwood, Delph, N'Zogbia (Grealish 59), Benteke, Agbonlahor (Weimann 82).

Substitutes not used: Given (GK), Sinclair, Sanchez, Gil.

West Brom (4-4-2): Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Morrison (Baird 90), Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner, Berahino, Ideye.

Substitutes not used: Myhill (GK), Wisdom, Olsson, Pocognoli, Mulumbu, Sessegnon.

Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)

And a Brunt free-kick was then claimed by Guzan as Craig Dawson failed to get his head to it.

It should have been 2-0 to Villa on the stroke of half-time when Agbonlahor cut in from the left and got the better of Dawson before letting fly with a curling shot from 25 yards.

But he watched in agony as it struck the post and bounced out, meaning Albion went into the interval still in a game they should have been out of.

The visitors started the second half as poorly as they ended the first and Villa had a chance to double their lead seven minutes in when Lescott was booked for a foul on Agbonlahor.

Ashley Westwood took the free-kick but curled his shot over the bar.

Albion should have been level on 56 minutes when Ideye was fouled by Jores Okore on the Baggies left and Brunt delivered a fine free-kick onto the head of Dawson.

The defender had an unchallenged effort at goal but he headed over when he should have scored.

But Villa had a chance of their own moments later when a left-wing cross from Lowton was flicked on and hit Benteke on the shoulder with the Belgian unable to react in time to retrieve it.

Albion seemed powerless to halt their hosts before they suddenly they found a way back on 66 minutes.

Brunt delivered a corner from the right, Lescott rose to head it across goal and Berahino reacted quickest to nod it home.

Villa pressed to regain their lead and they might have done so when Alan Hutton galloped forwards on the right and crossed for Jack Grealish.

But the young substitute could not make the most of the half chance.

Albion's equaliser had increased their confidence, however, and they moved the ball with growing assurance.

They got in down the Villa left when James Morrison found space but he was torn between shooting and attempting to pick out Ideye and his eventual pass was poor.

And they almost gave Craig Gardner a chance to punish his former club but his touch let him down and Guzan gathered.

Albion were furious in the dying moments when Hutton challenged for a high ball with Berahino then appeared to follow through into the striker's midriff.

But the situation was calmed and Villa won it in the third minute of stoppage time.

Foster made a hash of dealing with a cross-shot, spilled the ball and fouled Lowton. The penalty was clear and Benteke sent Foster the wrong way to give Villa victory.