Victory took a 12th-minute lead through Robbie Kruse after Rutger Worm's mis-control on halfway, before Heart replied with Gerald Sibon's 18th-minute free-kick.

But Victory took the advantage again when Kruse pounced on Matt Thompson error on 29 minutes before a Wayne Srhoj own goal 10 minutes into the second-half sealed the result.

"The goals against were very cheap," van 't Schip told FoxSports after the game.

"The first one we lost in their half with Rutger (Worm) controlling a ball, and then two touches and they score 1-0. We came back into the game and played quite good football. It was a good free-kick from Gerald.

"Then after that almost immediately it's 2-1. An individual mistake from Matt (Thompson). That's disappointing if you work that hard to come back into the game.

"Even after the 2-1 we still played very well in the first-half. We tried to make use of the gaps in the midfield, but you know Victory are dangerous when you lose the ball up front, they've got fast, intelligent players. They kept having those dangerous moments.

"Second-half we started well again but then it was 3-1 with (Adrian) Leijer where we were too easy letting (Archie) Thompson come into the 18-yard box and cross in. Then at 3-1 it's difficult, they're defending."

The result means Heart have lost six of their past seven A-League matches and van 't Schip said it would be difficult to maintain team morale and confidence.

"If you keep on losing and don't get the points, you've got to work hard and keep believing in the things we're doing and that's difficult," he said.

Van 't Schip made an interesting decision to not start Socceroo Michael Beauchamp in defence and he explained the call after the game but didn't blame it for the defeat.

"We were playing with three in the back against their two strikers," he said.

"The last few games we were playing like that and we changed it almost immediately and that's why we started today we three at the back and with Wayne (Srhoj) marking Hernandez.

"I don't think that was the reason for the goals. It was more individual mistakes."

Heart striker John Aloisi said his side were well beaten by Victory.

"We didn't deserve to win today," he said. "Melbourne Victory played well, we had a lot of possession but we couldn't create a lot of chances."

Aloisi added: "We badly wanted to win this one but now we've got to pick ourselves up and try and win in Adelaide."

Victory moved up to fifth thanks to the win and Victory's in-form striker Robbie Kruse, whose double against Heart made him topscorer in the A-League with 10 goals, said he hopes the result kick-starts his side's season.

"We've got some great individual players and as a team Melbourne Victory have always been strong," he said. "Hopefully this is just the start and we'll get a bit of a run now."

Kruse has scored four goals in two matches for Victory now and he said he believes his side are beginning to find form after last week's thrilling 3-3 draw with leaders Brisbane Roar.

"Personally it's been good and collectively as a team we've been playing some great football and to get a win here in the derby is fantastic," he said.

"As a team we're starting to hit our straps a bit and hopefully this is just the start of it."

Victory's next match is at home to Perth Glory on Saturday, while Heart are away to Adelaide United on Friday.