This was an occasion of contrasting emotions for teams heading in opposite directions.
For Bolton Wanderers, defeat brought confirmation of a relegation that has looked inevitable for some time. For Aston Villa, a club-record ninth successive victory added to the promise this season can end in promotion.
Once again Jack Grealish was the instigator, making things happen in that unique style of his.
Whatever happens he really should be a Premier League player next term.
Grealish scored the first with a far-post header, then made the second for Tammy Abraham through a delightful piece of skill. Abraham injured himself in the act of scoring and trudged off nursing his shoulder to prompt some concern for Dean Smith for the play-offs ahead.
The worries at Bolton run much deeper of course. On Wednesday the club were hours away from administration before Laurence Bassini completed his takeover, subject to EFL approval, and the new owner was at the University of Bolton Stadium to watch his team slip into League One.
Moving on from the abysmal regime of Ken Anderson is a positive step but the debts remain and Bassini’s three-year ban from being in a position of authority with any EFL club following his role at Watford means optimism is tempered.
Bolton’s players have still not been paid this month and while ‘significant funds’ will be made available once the deal goes through officially, manager Phil Parkinson knows only too well the damage that needs repairing. Anderson’s antagonistic approach means the club must work hard to rebuild its reputation.
Parkinson has maintained his principles amid shameful conditions but does not yet know his future. Bassini would do well to keep a man who got Bolton promoted to the Championship in his first season in charge and has kept fighting an impossible battle for survival this term.
This match was only confirmed as going ahead on Thursday, after more safety concerns, and with Villa in such irrepressible form the win required to stave off relegation for another day always appeared a forlorn hope.
Villa’s surge has coincided exactly with Grealish’s return from injury and his creativity was in evidence once more in the 13th minute when he found Anwar El Ghazi with a in a deep, low cross. El Ghazi needed just to get his finish on target to score but he skewed it wide.
Three minutes later Ben Alnwick’s punch to Albert Adomah’s cross only went as far as John McGinn, who nodded into the unguarded net. Harry Brockbank, a 20-year-old making his debut, cleared off the line. Clayton Donaldson drew a save from Jed Steer in a rare Bolton attack but after the break Villa showed their class.
Abraham delivered a deep cross that found Grealish for a simple header. It was Grealish’s fourth goal in eight games. Alnwick then saved from Grealish and Tyrone Mings as Villa cranked up the tempo and before the hour the lead was doubled.
McGinn chipped forwards as Grealish ran behind and though the ball bounced awkwardly he managed to twist his body and flick it back to Abraham. The Villa striker jumped into a diving header for his 25th goal of the season. Smith will hope it is not his last.
Not since 1910 have Villa won nine in a row and the 4,569 fans who travelled here sung as if convinced this run will be worth something. Smith thumped his chest at the end.
Those suffering Bolton supporters who stayed for the final whistle clapped their players off. This is a rare relegation where those on the pitch can be excused blame.
