Emile Heskey's late header gave Aston Villa a 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton on Sunday, earning manager Gerard Houllier a second successive win as Villa manager.
Heskey was given a rare start by Houllier, who managed the former England striker when both were at Liverpool, and proved his worth by rising to direct home a powerful header from eight yards (meters).
''Because he plays up front and sometimes misses sitters, people get on his back and maybe that has hurt him in the past,'' Houllier said. ''His work rate was phenomenal today. What he needs is to keep believing in himself.''
Left winger Stewart Downing put Villa ahead in the 25th minute after meeting Marc Albrighton's cross with a close-range volley but Matt Jarvis equalized when his left-wing center crept inside the far post.
The result extended Houllier's dream start at Villa Park after the Midlands club beat Blackburn 3-1 on Wednesday in the League Cup in his first match in charge. His decision to start with Heskey, who scored Villa's opener in the cup match, in place of Gabriel Agbonlahor was also vindicated.
''After the Carling Cup game, I said 'well done, this is what you are capable of and there is no reason why you can't repeat that,''' Houllier said of Heskey.
''All players need confidence. Strikers need more confidence. Everyone loves Emile at the club, he is a good teammate.''
The former England striker was heavily involved throughout, almost scoring in the 12th minute when his finish on the stretch from a cross by Albrighton went wide.
Villa started much the better of the sides, with Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann denying both Albrighton and center back James Collins before Downing's goal.
Good play down the right ended with the lively Albrighton sending his center across the face of goal and Downing ghosted in to apply the volleyed finish from six yards out.
Wolves reacted well and strikers Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher drew instinctive saves out of Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel in the space of five seconds just before halftime.
Friedel denied left winger David Jones in the 55th minute but was left flat-footed when Jarvis' cross evaded Doyle and Collins before curling into the net.
Heskey had a header deflected over the bar in the 71st minute but proved to be the match-winner by leaping high to meet Stephen Warnock's cross with a superb downwards header that went in off the post.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said Warnock shouldn't have been on the pitch to make the cross as he felt the left back deserved a second yellow card for an earlier foul on Doyle.
''Listen, it is a great header by Heskey and we shouldn't take that away from him,'' McCarthy said. ''We could have done better when the ball comes in but I don't think Warnock should have been on the pitch.
''It just rankles a bit. He shouldn't be there.''
