Francesco Baiano and Deon Burton gave Derby hopes of European football with two goals in three first half minutes in the 21 win over Aston Villa at Pride Park last night.
But as Derby moved into the top six, Villa began to slide out of Champions' League contention as they stretched their winless run to seven matches.
Stan Collymore returned to the Villa starting line up for the first time since January 2nd but a lack of full match fitness prevented any cutting edge. Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich also returned after 24 games only to find himself picking the ball out of his net twice in 21 minutes as Derby tore apart their neighbours.
Alan Thompson pulled one back for John Gregory's side in the dying moments of the first 45 minutes but barely looked like taking the psychological advantage to its premium.
But Villa barely deserved to still be in the game at the break after failing to control any part of the game.
Even Collymore failed to control his temper when he fouled Igor Stimac to earn a caution from referee Gary Willard - his only contribution in the first period.
And it was no surprise when Baiano opened the scoring for the home side in the 18th minute.
Defender Spencer Prior powered forward into the Villa area. The former Leicester man rolled a pass out to right from where Stefano Eranio crossed low first time.
Baiano was delighted to accept the glaring invite and drilled home first time past Bosnich.
Derby's Italians again combined for Derby's second goal three minutes later. Eranio played the ball in low at the edge of the area where Baiano cleverly back-heeled into the path of Burton.
The Jamaican international's strike was pure and deadly and Bosnich was left grasping at air.
But from nowhere, Thompson gave John Gregory's side a priceless lifeline back into the game with a terrific 20-yard strike in the 44th minute. However, it was Derby who finished the stronger and they should have made it three when Wanchope stooped low to meet Bohinen's corner but missed contact completely with Bosnich stranded.
Derby: Hoult, Schnoor, Powell, Stimac, Wanchope (Harper 89), Bohinen, Laursen, Prior, Eranio, Burton, Baiano. Subs not used: Carbonari, Poom, Christie, Elliott. Booked: Powell, Bohinen, Wanchope, Prior. Goals: Baiano 17, Burton 21.
Aston Villa: Bosnich, Wright, Southgate, Draper, Collymore, Merson, Thompson, Dublin, Barry, Hendrie, Scimeca (Joachim 76). Subs not used: Oakes, Hughes, Samuel, Lescott. Booked: Collymore, Southgate, Merson, Hendrie. Goals: Thompson 44.
Referee: G Willard (Worthing).
