Aston Villa match review

By: j | August 17th, 2008

In review of the match, the two goal deficit to Aston Villa was somewhat flattering given that once Martin O’Neill’s squad understand how to attack City, they were able to score at will. However beyond the match was the unfortunate loss of Valeri Bojinov with a major injury that will keep him out (at-least) another six months.

Villa went on the attack early and while they squandered numerous opportunities, City did a fine job holding the match to a nil draw at the half. Once Villa realized Man City’s weakness of against flanking attacks and susceptibility to crossing volleys, their best predatory skills came out. Only two minutes after the break, a common theme in the match developed with a Ashley Young cross being headed to the back of the net, this time by John Carew. The match was brought level at the sixty-fourth minute as Elano converted on a penalty after Michael Johnson was brought down in the area however those celebrations ended quickly as Villa’s attack went into full-speed with a methodical approach slicing directly into City’s weakness’ of defending crosses in the box. Marking was simply dreadful and Gabriel Agbonlahor, one the best talents in England regardless of whether Fabio Capello has the sense to make him a cornerstone of the lineup or not, made City pay dearly with three goals in a seven minute highlight-film span. Vedran Corluka capitalized on a Villa defensive blunder with a consolation goal with one minute left in time to bring the match to its final 4-2 conclusion.

City will need to rebound quickly as they host West Ham next Sunday who looked very convincing as they defeated Wigan 2-1.

In the lead-up to next weeks match I will provide an overview of West Ham, prior to a preview of the match.

Match details
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Davies, Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Harewood, Knight, Salifou, Routledge, Gardner, Osbourne.

Goals: Carew 47, Agbonlahor 69, 74, 76.

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Richards, Ben-Haim, Garrido, Etuhu, Gelson (Ireland 81), Johnson, Petrov, Elano, Evans (Sturridge 81).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Michael Ball, Onuoha, Caicedo, Hamann.

Goals: Elano 64 pen, Corluka 89.