The early goal seemed to breathe life into Villa as they started to play a more expansive game which was reminiscent of the form they had shown before their mini-slump.

BBC: Aston Villa 4-0 Bolton

And although Villa dominated much of the opening half, Steven Fletcher sprang into life with a crisp and technically difficult left-foot strike that drew a decent save from Brad Friedel close to the break, with the Villa keeper making another stop to deny Doyle with the rebound.

BBC: Emile Heskey celebrates scoring his late winner at Wolves

The match had a typical end-of-season feel although Paul Merson, who was named Villa's player-of-the-year before the match, brought the crowd to life with a great piece of skill.

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