Independent: Aston Villa scored six goals and there were as many different scorers, but there was one strike that truly stood out. With 36 minutes elapsed and Derby in a state of shock - and, in particular, their goalkeeper Roy Carroll after two mistakes for the first two goals - Carroll sent a clearance only as far as Stilyan Petrov, standing on Derby's side of the centre circle. The Bulgarian controlled the ball and moved it on to his favoured left foot. From fully 45 yards, he then drove his shot in a low arc back over Carroll's head and into the top corner. It was no high lob that the midfielder had to execute, where he would just have to make sure the bounce was timed correctly. This was a precise shot that required perfect execution and flawless technique. When you see goals from that distance you tend to think of David Beckham's against Wimbledon in 1996 or Nayim's a year earlier for Real Zaragoza against Arsenal but this was arguably harder to pull off than either of those, given the low trajectory of Petrov's shot. Derby had been softened up by then, with two goals in a minute from Ashley Young and John Carew, who bullied the Rams' back four all afternoon. Petrov, however, has had to harden up to make himself a first-team player once more in the eyes of Martin O'Neill.

Independent: Man of the match: Carew.

Sun: It was all too easy for Villa and midfielder Stiliyan Petrov hopes his David Beckham impression can prove to be a pivotal moment in his career ? just as it was for the former England captain. Becks never looked back after his amazing goal from the half-way line for Manchester United at Wimbledon in 1997. Now Aston Villa's Bulgarian midfielder hopes his incredible half-volley from the edge of the centre circle can kick-start his spell in England. The 28-year-old had been dropped by Martin O'Neill and jeered by his own fans in a difficult second season in the Premier League. But his wonder strike at Derby won over plenty of doubters and determined Petrov now hopes there could be more good times ahead. Petrov said: "I remember Beckham's goal and it was great. Maybe his was better but I think it is harder to hit a half-volley like I did." This rout was started by Ashley Young's tame free-kick before John Carew, Petrov, Gareth Barry, Gaby Agbonlahor and Marlon Harewood joined the six-goal party.

Sun: ASTON VILLA: Carson 6, Mellberg 6, Laursen 6, Knight 6, Bouma 6, Petrov 8, Reo-Coker 8, Barry 7 (Salifou 5), Young 6 (Berger 5), Carew 7 (Harewood 6), Agbonlahor 7. Subs not used: Taylor, Routledge.

Guardian: Stilian Petrov has provided regular fuel for bigots looking to justify their argument that Scottish football lags light years behind the quality regularly on display in the Premier League from the moment he completed his £7m move from Celtic to link up with his former manager, Martin O'Neill. Petrov, the Bulgarian midfielder, had a reputation for being one of the most influential players in the Scottish Premier League during his trophy-laden period at Parkhead but his two years south of the border have been characterised by frustration and more recently, during an absence from the team brought about by O'Neill's loss of faith, by doubts about whether he has a future in claret and blue beyond this season. Whatever the outcome of O'Neill's quest for Uefa Cup football this season, the Ulsterman, funded by the American owner Randy Lerner's dollar resources, has ambitious plans to mould Villa into a force with genuine top-four ambitions next season and the 28-year-old may well have been deemed surplus to requirements because of his lack of impact, for all O'Neill's constant messages of public support.

Guardian: Man of the match Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa)

Mail: Having flapped at Ashley Young's free-kick under pressure from Olof Mellberg to gift Villa the first of two goals in as many minutes and wreck Derby's bright start, the former Manchester United goalkeeper was left even more red-faced by Petrov's sublime strike. Without a goal in a year and heckled on occasions by some Villa fans, Petrov was taken out of the firing line by Martin O'Neill. Even Villa's boss was surprised the Bulgarian had the confidence to take the shot on. "I know David Beckham scored from there," said Petrov. "I think his was better, but it is harder to hit a half-volley. I'm right-footed but after this I don't think so! It was the best goal I've ever scored, maybe goal of the season." Carroll must have felt like giving up when a clearly offside Gabriel Agbonlahor not only impeded him but also got a slight touch to John Carew's low shot for Villa's second. "I have to claim it as mine," said Carew. "If Gabby tries to claim it then I'll tell him he was offside."

Mirror: David Beckham's famous goal from the halfway line marked the start of his rise to stardom - and Stiliyan Petrov hopes his 50-yarder at Derby can be the catalyst to finally become a Premier League hit. Bulgarian international Petrov, 28, had a forgettable first campaign in the top-flight last term when he linked up with Martin O'Neill again following a £6.5million move from Celtic. The midfielder was then axed from Villa's squad in February when boss O'Neill opted to rest the under-fire star after admitting he was low on confidence. But O'Neill's man-management skills appear to now begetting the best from Petrov, who has excelled for Villa since returning against Man United two games ago. Petrov belatedly scored his first goal of the term in stunning fashion at Pride Park as he half volleyed into the top corner from just outside the centre circle when Roy Carroll's duff clearance went straight to him in the 36th minute. It was reminiscent of Beckham's incredible effort against Wimbledon in August 1996 on the opening day of the season to announce his arrival as a future superstar.

Mirror: MAN OF THE MATCH Nigel Reo-Coker (VILLA) 9 MIdfield powerhouse drove forward like in his pomp

Daily Telegraph: Martin O'Neill's side cantered home with goals from Gareth Barry, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Harewood. O'Neill was understandably delighted, singling out Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker for particular mention, and refused to rule out a late assault on fifth place and the last Uefa Cup spot. "Maybe our performances against Boro and Sunderland suggested we were already looking forward to our holidays," O'Neill said, "but we've got plenty to play for. We've got a task on to catch Everton, but we go to Everton. We can't afford one slip-up."

Daily Telegraph: Man of the match Ashley Young (Aston Villa) 8 ·Scored Villa's opener and set up three other chances.

Sporting Life: Stiliyan Petrov is hoping Aston Villa fans are finally starting to see the best of him this season. Petrov lit up Pride Park on Saturday with a contender for goal of the season that was the highlight of an impressive display from manager Martin O'Neill's side. The goal, a 50-yard screamer on the half-volley after goalkeeper Roy Carroll had made a hasty clearance, ended a year-long drought for the 28-year-old. Coming on the back of his performance in last week's 4-0 home romp over Bolton that led to a standing ovation as he left the field in the closing stages, Petrov is back in form. It comes on the back of a five-match spell on the sidelines after being dropped by O'Neill who felt the Bulgarian was suffering from a crisis of confidence. "It was a wake-up call," Petrov said.

Coverage From Abroad

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