Aston Villa News 24/7Aston Villa carved out a vital three points today in an absolutely enthralling battle against Everton at Villa Park with Luke Young providing the only goal of the game in sublime, if unlikely style.
The day didn’t get off to the best of starts when Stephen Ireland pulled a hamstring in the warm up, but his replacement, Nigel Reo-Coker, probably provided that little extra steel that would prove vital in the middle. Nathan Delfouneso took Nigel’s place on the bench.
Everton started brightly, moving the ball around well, but Villa opened the scoring against the run of play in the 9th minute when Luke Young latched on to Ashley Young’s superbly weighted through ball and delivered an inch perfect left footed shot, curling around Tim Howard into the top corner.
Steven Pienaar struck the woodwork with a lovely long range effort from Everton’s left flank, Brad Friedel had completely given up, thinking it was a certain goal and would have been relieved to see the ball rebound back into play and his grasp.
Everton controlled much of the possession through the half, owning 68% of the ball by the break, but couldn’t break Villa down. Marc Albrighton struggling to keep tabs on Leighton Baines who got in behind the defence on a couple of occasions, but without an end product.
Albrighton made a couple of mazey runs at the other end, almost winning a penalty right before half time, although it would probably have been a weak one had it been given.
The second half started as a gritty, at times very open, battle as Everton pressed for an equaliser and Villa looked to take advantage of the space at the back. John Carew coming into his own and Ashley Young making a couple of tenacious, twisting runs through the middle.
By the time Gabby came on for Carew in the 68th minute the game had opened into a full on end to end scrap that the neutrals absolutely loved, but those of us desperate for Villa to hold on to the three points were chewing our nails off.
A full report and statshack will follow later when my heart rate returns to something approaching normal. For now, it was an extremely spirited display that presented Villa with more chances than the single goal might suggest, but Everton could easily have hooked up as Newcastle did on another day.
But they didn’t, it’s three vital points and what could be a season defining fortnight ahead. Some important and very tough decisions have to be made and while we sit 4th in the table right now, that’s after beating two sides who occupy positions in the bottom three and a thumping loss to a side fresh from a season in the Championship.
Definitely the result and effort we needed to see after Thursday’s disappointment, but plenty of work lies ahead.
You might also like...
5 Comments to “Aston Villa 1 Everton 0 – Three Vital Points”
Leave a Reply
Other than a bit of commitment and 3 points, I saw little to be positive about today.
Totally agreed.
We worked our goolies off, but looked poor in midfield overall imo and Everton totally dominated the game.
It would seem we need more in the middle and Petrov and NRC are not the answer, as much as I can’t fault them for effort today.
More canny teams will tear us apart, I fear.
A lot of commitment, I think, with great effort by the whole team. Obviously some problems are apparent. Giving up 18 corners doesn’t look good, but they successfully defended all of them, most in the last 15 minutes; this says something about the toughness, fitness and discipline., many in rapid s
What were the bookmakers offering for Luke Young scoring the first goal?
I was really impressed with Albrighton, really hard worker, good lad. Petrov did nothing for me. Ashley ran his socks off too.
Carew (and this is no revelation) is basically past it for us. Has no killer instinct I’m afraid. We need a deadly striker, understatement much?
The ref was absolutely unreal, how many yellows.. how often do everton just fall and get given the free kick?! The lads did well to hang on for dear life in the last 15 minutes or so!
I’m very happy with the win of course, would’ve settled before the game for a draw! But so much to be done :S
Downing and Petrov were both barely in the game, NRC had moments, but the quality just isnt there. Carew was also non-existent. That said, our back 4 put on an almost flawlesss display, and Ashley and Albrighton are looking more and more consistant performers. Even though there is lots of work needed, I still think it was an improvment.