A spectacular volley from Matthew Lowton helped Aston Villa overcame Stoke City 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday to clamber out of the relegation zone.
Gabriel Agbonlahor converted at the near post from Lowton's right-wing cross to give Villa a ninth-minute lead, only for Michael Kightly swept home an equalizer ten minutes from time.
The visitors badly in need of a result to improve their prospects in the fight against relegation, but it appeared as if they would only take a point away from the Britannia as a 1-1 draw looked on the cards.
However, with time running out, Lowton dramatically swung the game back in Villa's favour with a sensational volley three minutes from time.
A corner from Charles N'Zogbia was cleared to the 23-year-old around 30 yards from goal.
The full-back controlled the ball on his chest before firing an unstoppable volley which looped over Asmir Begović and flew into his right hand corner of the net.
Christian Benteke then added a third late on to send Villa three points clear of the bottom three.
"At the corner I just thought I would ring the box and if anything comes then I will help it back in," Lowton told Sky Sports.
"But after I've had my first touch and it sat up like it did, I thought why not hit it. Luckily it has flown in the back of the net."
Villa boss Paul Lambert added: "I don't think you will see a better goal in Europe, let alone Britain. It was a world-class finish."
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| Aston Villa player Matthew Lowton scores his team's second goal against Stoke Photo: Getty Images |
Gabriel Agbonlahor converted at the near post from Lowton's right-wing cross to give Villa a ninth-minute lead, only for Michael Kightly swept home an equalizer ten minutes from time.
The visitors badly in need of a result to improve their prospects in the fight against relegation, but it appeared as if they would only take a point away from the Britannia as a 1-1 draw looked on the cards.
However, with time running out, Lowton dramatically swung the game back in Villa's favour with a sensational volley three minutes from time.
A corner from Charles N'Zogbia was cleared to the 23-year-old around 30 yards from goal.
The full-back controlled the ball on his chest before firing an unstoppable volley which looped over Asmir Begović and flew into his right hand corner of the net.
Christian Benteke then added a third late on to send Villa three points clear of the bottom three.
"At the corner I just thought I would ring the box and if anything comes then I will help it back in," Lowton told Sky Sports.
"But after I've had my first touch and it sat up like it did, I thought why not hit it. Luckily it has flown in the back of the net."
Villa boss Paul Lambert added: "I don't think you will see a better goal in Europe, let alone Britain. It was a world-class finish."
