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Aston Villa’s long wait for a win at The Hawthorns was extended as they were beaten by a strike from their former midfielder and life-long Bluenose, Craig Gardner.

It’s six years and counting since they tasted success against their bitter rivals on the Baggies’ patch but for long periods they were more than a match for the hosts, who played with an extra man for the majority of the game.

Kieran Richardson’s dismissal on 23 minutes ruined the contest but there were still some positives for Villa.

Here’s what we learned from the game:

(Image: Ian Walton/Getty Images)

1. Villa are trying to play with a new style. Brad Guzan is now asked to bowl it out to the full-backs when he’s in possession rather than kick it long. It wasn’t until the 35th minute that he kicked it long for the first time and that was because he was forced to. Paul Lambert is trying to make Villa a more attractive side and the players are enjoying the new style. It will take practice, though.

2. Goals are still hard to come by. Before the game no other team in the Premier League had seen fewer goals scored in their games this season than Villa.

Albion, meanwhile, had witnessed the joint-second fewest goals in the division so this was never going to be the goal-fest of last season.

That was evident early in the game when both sides pretty much cancelled each other out. The Baggies took charge as the match wore on but it was inevitable that if the game was won it would be by a single goal.

3. Jores Okore is getting better every week. There’s an argument that Brown Ideye, Albion’s £10 million record signing, was not at the races. There’s also a point to be made about Okore – he was colossal.

The Danish centre-half was strong, , powerful and resilient. He had the Baggies’ striker in his back pocket all game.

In the 82nd minute he almost lost his first duel with Ideye but managed to recover, despite gifting the ball to him. He’s going to be a big player for Villa.

(Image: (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty))

4. Villa need a Plan B to help Christian Benteke. The Belgian is a class act but sometimes Villa need an alternative. Of course, their other No.9, Libor Kozak, is injured but the big man needs help. He missed two crucial chances but he can’t do it all on his own.

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5. The fans are buying into Villa’s efforts. Unlike at Burnley when the result didn’t go their way, Villa clapped their team off and the boos were not to be heard. The supporters want more from their team but they’re starting to become more patient and appreciative of their efforts.