Villa 2 West Brom 0 - Report and pictures

Fabian Delph and former Baggies loanee Scott Sinclair scored the goals with Albion's Claudio Yacob and Villa's Jack Grealish controversially sent off.

But the game will be remembered for two pitch invasions and trouble between fans, with Baggies supporters hurling seats from the upper tier of the North Stand.

Villa deserved their win after keeping a dominant Albion at bay before half-time then dominating after it, but the Baggies will rue missed sitters by Brown Ideye and Joleon Lescott.

The game began amid a raucous atmosphere and on six minutes the Baggies had the first attempt on goal when Craig Gardner fed Saido Berahino and his low shot was parried by Shay Given.

And a minute later Ciaran Clark had to make an important header as Berahino attempted to meet a cross by Craig Dawson.

But the Baggies missed a huge chance to go ahead on nine minutes.

Craig Gardner burst down the right and crossed for Brown Ideye, who fired over from the edge of the six-yard box with the goal gaping.

Villa found their feet a little but Albion held the upper hand throughout the first half-hour and they threatened again.

Brown Ideye collected a pass from Chris Brunt and cut in from the left, only to send a tame shot straight at Given.

And the Baggies continued to do the pressing, first when Ideye saw a far-post header from a fine Dawson cross deflect through to Given.

Then Brunt's long-range effort hit Jonas Olsson and forced Given to push it over the crossbar.

Villa's first attempt on goal came late in the half when Fabian Delph collected a short free-kick.

He saw his shot deflected through to Boaz Myhill, who made a decent adjustment to gather away to his right.

And in stoppage time, Scott Sinclair bursts down the Villa right but his cross was gathered by Myhill.

But Villa led six minutes into the second half as Albion opened up and handed them too much space to break the deadlock.

Charles N'Zogbia cut across the field from right to left and teed up Delph, who had freedom to let fly with a low, left-footed shot that beat Myhill too easily.

Just before the hour-mark the Baggies missed a glorious chance to equalise when a corner from Gardner was flicked on at the near post for Joleon Lescott.

The big defender had the goal at his mercy but he headed wide. Albion were pressing hard but Given made a timely dive at Berahino's feet as the youngster raced onto Ideye's threaded pass.

Sinclair twice went close for Villa but first he was denied by Myhill and then he fired wide. And Ashley Westwood then saw a shot deflect wide.

Albion's hopes of a comeback were hit when Yacob received a harsh second yellow card for an alleged foul on Agbonlahor just minutes after being booked.

And they were ended on 85 minutes when Villa broke from halfway and Sinclair raced clear to finish.

There were worrying scenes after the goal as Villa fans invaded and ugly ones when seats were thrown down from Baggies fans in the top tier of the North Stand.

There was another pitch invasion shortly before the final whistle which halted the game, and at the end hundred of fans raced on and forced the players to run the gauntlet.

Several Albion players were confronted by fans with Callum McManaman having to be dragged down the tunnel.