Villa’s derby-day heroes have given the thumbs up to the Gerard Houllier regime by insisting – ‘at our best we can be a match for anyone.’

Emile Heskey’s 88th-minute header handed Villa a dramatic 2-1 win at Wolves yesterday, making it two wins out of two for new boss Houllier following Wednesday’s Carling Cup victory over Blackburn.

Both James Collins and Stewart Downing, who scored the opener at Molineux, revealed the Frenchman has made a big impact at the club despite being in charge just a week.

Collins said: “It has been good getting the two wins. He has put his ideas across and the boys have taken them on board.

“Certainly the second half on Wednesday and the first half yesterday, the way we knocked it around was as good as anyone. We’ve got to continue that.

“There was a bit of confusion early on with Martin O’Neill going, but the new manager has come in and settled things down straight away.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Downing, who believes Villa proved they have the stomach for a fight after their mixed start to the campaign.

He said: “When the new manager comes in, it gives the players a lift.

“The win was the most important thing, especially after we went back to 1-1. You saw at Stoke what happened when we lost the lead.

“But this result shows we do the other side of the game – we scrap, we fight – especially in the second half.

“We’re all fighting to be in the team. We all want to play so everyone is starting afresh.

“We have to be on our toes.”

Collins has hailed Heskey as a ‘nightmare for defenders’ after the striker stole the headlines for the second time in four days.

The defender said: “Emile is a players’ player. I wouldn’t fancy playing against him. He was superb and the goal topped off a first-class performance.

“He has shown it over the years at every club he has been at, he scores goals, and we are thankful for him.

“Whenever he has been called upon to play he has always made an impact.

“Ask any player who has played with him and they have got nothing but good things to say.”