By Paul Brown

Villa's defeat of Stoke proved to be a winter warmer for freezing fans as the claret and blue troops delivered an early present with the festive season fast approaching.

In temperatures below zero, Villa supporters were positively glowing after witnessing their team's fourth top-flight win on the trot - and their fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Substitute John Carew took on the role of Santa Claus as he spread cheer across the stadium. He nodded home from close-range on the hour mark following a brilliant pinpoint cross from the right by Ashley Young.

It may not have been the prettiest win but it was probably the most satisfying so far this season - particularly considering the last-gasp devastation in the previous campaign.

Stoke certainly made it difficult with a dogged and determined display but Villa did enough to clock up another maximum haul.

The first half was a very even affair, with chances for both sides.

Richard Dunne couldn't direct his header goalwards on 10 as he met Stewart Downing's low right-side free-kick. Former Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen had to be at his best with two smart saves soon after. Following fine interplay by James Milner, Emile Heskey and Stan Petrov, the inspirational skipper fired a bullet which the Danish shot-stopper did well to parry. Gabby Agbonlahor's follow-up led to an even better save from the club's former number one.

There was a talking point just after the half hour mark as Mamady Sidibe rose to head home Tuncay's cross from the left. Stoke players and management staff celebrated wildly but it was the supporters who made the most noise as they went crazy - unfortunately for them, well after play restarted.

Big JC made his entrance - due to Emile Heskey's groin injury - on 22 minutes and just 10 minutes later he almost opened the scoring. Wing wizard Young produced yet another terrific cross from the left and Carew stretched to get his boot to the ball but it went just wide.

Downing - in full flow throughout the game - fired agonisingly wide from a clever free-kick just before the break.

Carew had his second chance to make the difference on 54 minutes. He just couldn't keep his shot down as the ball ballooned over the bar, following a fantastic chipped pass from Young.

Tuncay showed sheer endeavour soon after as he bundled aside Luke Young and Richard Dunne in the left channel before firing wide. But there was a better chance for the visitors on the hour mark, as Glenn Whelan blasted high and handsome after the ball fell to him six yards out.

It was third time lucky for fan favourite Carew as he produced a bullet header from close-range following a stunning cross by Young. It followed an exquisite crossfield pass to the winger from former Middlesbrough man Downing.

Tuncay saw his path to goal blocked by right-back Young in some tremendous defensive work and Matt Etherington blasted over in the closing stages. But Villa were the ones who should have found the net at the death.

The best of the chances saw Steve Sidwell fire marginally wide of the Stoke post after an excellent, unselfish lay-off from Gabby Agbonlahor.

It stayed 1-0 at the full-time whistle and the three points represented the best present fans could have asked for from their heroes.