Ten-man SC Villa came from a goal down to beat Express FC at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku to complete a double over their rivals.
Allan Kayiwa early opener turned into a consolation as David Owori and Sheif Batte scored to earn the Jogoos all points despite a second-half red card to goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige.
Villa started the better team and should have scored inside the first minute but Charles Bbaale was denied by the upright despite beating Denis Otim.
Kayiwa then scored from a free kick in the 32nd minute to hand the hosts a lead which only lasted four minutes as Owori levelled matters at the opposite end.
In the 59th minute, Kibirige was sent off for an off-the-ball incident against Marvin Oshaba forcing the Villa bench to reshuffle their pack by substituting striker Bbaale for Martin Elungati.
The hosts responded to the numerical advantage by introducing more attackers in Ivan Mayanja, Anwar Ntege and later Joseph Akwandanaho in search for the winner.
Mayanja and Kayiwa had chances wasted before Villa broke down the left and Owori set up Batte to score into an empty net sending the Villa fans into frenzy in the 77th minute.
Despite a late surge, Villa held on for all points that send them second on the table with 31 points, four behind leaders KCCA after 17 games, one less than their Lugogo rivals.
Defeat extends the Red Eagles’ winless streak to ten games in the league as they stay 11th with 18 points, six ahead of the relegation monster.
Next on the menu for James Odoch’s men is a trip to Gaddafi on March 19 just days after playing the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
SC Villa will shift focus to the Uganda Cup with a replay against BUL lurking next week.
