After their 4-0 victory at Wigan, Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirmed he fined striker John Carew for a night on the tiles last week.

O'Neill has taken action against the Norwegian but redemption was immediate as he climbed off the substitutes' bench at the JJB Stadium to create one goal and score another.

O'Neill said: "John has been disciplined because he breached the rules.

"John thinks there are mitigating circumstances and I'm always prepared to listen. I listened to what he said and then I made a decision he was wrong.

"But it's not a problem - he's been disciplined, he's been fined and that's the end of the issue.

"It was a large oversight on his part, so consequently he's been fined. Most of the players in the dressing room are saying it should be doubled!

"John assures me it won't happen again so I will believe him.

"He's been fined pretty heavily as it wasn't the brightest thing to do. I think he thought that he wouldn't be playing (against Ajax) but he hadn't been told beforehand so he shouldn't have been out.

"It's been dealt with and he assures me it won't happen again. Up until next week I will probably believe it."

Carew's introduction for Gareth Barry, who hurt his ankle, in the 53rd minute breathed new life into Villa as an attacking force.

His header was bundled into the net by Gabriel Agbonlahor in the 57th minute and then Agbonlahor returned the favour by providing a cross for Carew to head home in the 62nd minute.

Substitute Steve Sidwell curled in a delightful fourth in the last minute to cap a fine win after Barry's 22nd-minute penalty put O'Neill's men in control.

O'Neill added: "It was a great performance and a result I had not expected.

"With us having played on Thursday night, it was a concern, but there were some terrific performances all told."