Match Summary
City won out in the end after cruising at half time. Villa though put up a good fight in the second half. Ex-Villa striker Darius Vassell claimed a first half brace before Liam Ridgewell pulled a goal back for the visitors. Andrew Cole made sure of all three points with the third goal eight minutes from time.
Match Report
Early drama for Aston Villa as goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen hurt an ankle in the warm-up meaning Stuart Taylor has had to start with Sorensen dropping down to the bench. The wet conditions seeming to play a part in the accident.
City fans were treated to the sight of Ricky Hatton prior to kick-off and it was City who looked for the knock-out blow early on with a bright start taking the game to the visitors.
The nightmare start was compounded for Villa in the fourth minute as Samuel and Taylor’s mix-up led to Darius Vassell having the simple task of sliding the ball into the net. The defender heading the ball over his own keeper on the edge of the box to let the former Villa man put City 1-0 up.
Despite the early set-back Villa seemed happy to try and play football, but City continued to look the more dangerous. With Vassell’s confidence high he blazed a shot wide from the edge of the box on seven minutes.
Moments later Croft nearly got onto the end of some good build-up play down the right wing. He had come through his first 15 minutes of a Premiership start completely unfazed.
It was turning into the Darius Vassell show on 17 minutes as some neat football gave him the chance to turn and get away a shot just inside the Villa area. Taylor just managing to tip the ball to brush the post but no corner was given.
The game’s first booking came about after 22 minutes, Lee Croft was taken out in mid-air by JLloyd Samuel, not a good night for the Villa man thus far.
With Villa all at sea City’s dominance continued and on 26 minutes their fine play was rewarded further. Mills fed Cole and his fine skill to lift the ball over a Villa defender gave him the chance to tee-up Darius Vassell to volley home inside the box.
Villa’s first meaningful threat came on the half hour as Davis’ drive was well saved by James as he pawed the ball around his right-hand post and out for a corner.
City ended the first period in full control and could have added to the scoreline further with a couple of half-chances.
HALF TIME: City 2 Villa 0
Villa were sent out early for the second half, O’Leary obviously unhappy with the first half showing. A change aside at the break too - both understandable for differing reasons.
JLloyd Samuel was replaced by Patrik Berger and after a heavy blow to the face David Sommeil made way for Sun Jihai. Danny Mills made the switch to centre-half.
Despite that the pattern of play was no different at the start of second period - City pressed again looking to add to their goal tally. A mad minute saw the second half spring into life with three incidents. Firstly, Joey Barton had a penalty claim turned down, to which Villa responded by going straight up the other end and making James claw away a Milner cross.
Then Andrew Cole could have put City out of sight after a sublime back-flick from Stephen Ireland. Cole fired wide dragging his right foot shot across Taylor’s goal on 55 minutes.
After a nervy few moments for the City rearguard Villa pulled a goal back and it was Liam Ridgewell who bundled in Berger’s cross on 64 minutes to make it 2-1. Villa were certainly on the up. Croft made way for Sibierski on 69 minutes and a minute later Villa introduced Bakke.
Eric Djemba-Djemba replaced the injured substitute Patrik Berger on 74 minutes.
At last the nerves are settled for City on 82 minutes. A well worked move saw Vassell and Cole combine before Andrew Cole’s shot hit Delaney and lobbed over Taylor and into the goal to make it 3-1.
Bradley Wright-Phillips replaced Cole on 85 as City got the all-important win to continue their progress under Stuart Pearce. And all this without a Hallowe’en pun in sight. Truly shocking!
FULL TIME: City 3-1 Villa
