Last minute Charlton sink A Villa

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LONDON, England -- Bryan Hughes came off the bench to head home a dramatic last-minute winner to give Premier League strugglers Charlton a vital 2-1 home victory over Aston Villa.

Gareth Barry put Villa ahead from the spot after he was brought down in the area by Hermann Hreidarsson.

Charlton, who had earlier hit the bar through Darren Ambrose, levelled when Darren Bent met Talal El Karkouri's long ball with a precise diving header.

Barry saw red after an hour for hauling down Dennis Rommedahl but Villa looked to have held on before Hughes struck.

Star striker Bent backed new manager Alan Pardew to lead Charlton to Premiership survival.

Charlton have now picked up four points from their two matches since Pardew replaced Les Reed and Bent has no doubt that the former West Ham boss has made a difference.

"Alan Pardew has come in and installed a lot of belief in the lads and it seems to be paying off," Bent declared.

"At times this season, we have not had the rub of the green but we did today, everyone worked hard and we got the three points.

"Anyone who saw that performance knows that when they come to the Valley they are in for a game."

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