Villa took the opportunity to rest Jon Munn and Thomas Canavan returned to the side to captain the side for the first time.

The game began in dull enough fashion.  As is so often the case in these encounters, Villa seemed determined to over elaborate with every player having a sense that they could provide a goal.  Canavan himself had a couple of rasping efforts early on and was soon joined by Sharratt who had a shot charged down.

Villa’s first goal came in the eighth minute when the ball fell to Mellon on the edge of the box.  He had pushed forward from left back to collect a cleared ball.  He remained composed and turned onto his less favoured right foot to slot the ball into the far right hand corner with precision.

A flurry of efforts followed from Villa.  Robinson, who returned to the side after a long term injury, sent a number of shots over the bar.  The home defence may have been stretched by Villa but they worked tirelessly to limit Villa to a solitary first half goal.

The Castle Utd keeper, Phil Taylor, distinguished himself in particular with several good stops to deny Wilson.  Moore was called into action at the Villa end though and did really well to tip one dipping shot over the bar.

Villa moved up a few gears in the second half and went in search of goals.  Great praise must go the doggedness of the home defence but Villa could surely have taken a few more chances.

The home side did enjoy a worrying period of pressure when they forced a save out of Moore and then followed it with a series of corners until Villa cleared the ball to safety.

Wilson saw a shot go wide and a few minutes later sent in a teasing cross which went just beyond McCartan.  Ryan Munn came on for McMullan who had been breaking up play with great commitment.  Munn then began to probe the home defence.  Robinson found himself the beneficiary of the team change and enjoyed a great deal of possession on the left of the midfield.  He used that possession to good effect sending in a series of shots and passes. 

Canavan sent in the pass which allowed Wilson to slot home to double Villa’s advantage in the 71^st minute and them home side flagged a little.  A couple of minutes later Wilson then provided the decisive pass for his strike partner McCartan to steer home Villa’s third goal.

Mellon and Rees then made way for Ferguson the young debutant McCormick who made a solid start in his first game at this level.

Robinson had stretched the home defence and kept them occupied throughout the game.  Given his recent run of bad luck with injury, it was good to seem him put in an impressive performance which he capped with the fourth goal which was created for him after a great run by McCartan.

The players and management would like to wish Castle Utd well in their efforts to improve their league position.  If Saturday’s performance is anything to go by they certainly have the spirit needed.

Villa:  David Moore, Alun Rees, Stuart Mellon, Alan Strain, Trevor Kennedy, Graham McMullan, Scott Wilson, Thomas Canavan (Capt), Ryan McCartan, Gary Sharratt and Marty Robinson.  Subs:  Ryan Munn (for 6), Daniel Ferguson (for Mellon), Anton McCormick (for 2).

Castle Utd:  Phil Taylor, Andrew Briggs, Steven Briggs, Alan Collins, Neal Leaburn, Steve Morrison, Simon Corbett, Michael Briggs, Glenn Beattie, Chris Kirk, Kyle Kane.  Subs:  Mal Daly, Michael Russell and Jamie Longstone.

 Booked:  M Briggs (Castle Utd) 

Referee:  Adam Heron (Bangor)