We would all have liked the three points to make sure that the bragging rights belonged to the Brummies amongst us so that we didn`t have to put up with gloating black country friends like we did in March, but unfortunately it just wasn`t to be today. If I was to try and sum up the game in a sentence, it would have to be to say that, from a Villa perspective, a poor first half was made up by a fairly attack-filled, positive second, which perhaps should have seen the claret and blue boys secure all three points.
Villa weren`t fantastic today by any stretch of the imagination, but neither were Wolves, thanks in part to how solidly set-up the team now looks with Dunne and Collins both looking like the colossal pair that were present in the 09-10 season. That in itself has to be a positive, and it can only be down to McLeish, seeing as a strong defence was the backbone of his Blues side, and that he was a centre-half during his playing career.
How things are going to go attacking wise for us this season is more of a mystery at present. We have lost two major creative forces in Ashley Young and Downing, no question, and McLeish has seemingly decided that he wants to answer this by playing Bent up front whilst being supported by Heskey, Agbonlahor and N`Zogbia. Is this correct? Well, Blackburn suggested that it could be, but today has suggested otherwise. While the individuals did well in parts, it just didn`t look enough to carve Wolves properly open and present Darren Bent with one of the chances that he so craves, and sometimes can be all he needs.
A special mention needs to go too to the man of the match that I have chosen, which means for once that I actually agree with the ‘official` choice, Chris Herd. He did look slightly shaky at the start of the game, admittedly, when Wolves were putting us under a bit of pressure, but after that he looked fairly composed and assured, to the point where he kept the main danger-man to us last season, Matt Jarvis, almost completely in his pocket. He also showed that he possesses a great final ball in his locker, on a few occasions, and in the circumstances I would say that he put in a pretty great performance today.
The only other thing I want to talk about before I get onto the game is the attendance today, I thought that 21,000 in midweek against Hereford was reasonable, and 32,000 was decent against Blackburn but not great. I`m sorry, but just 30,000 for a derby? That is verging on an absolute disgrace. We like to take the piss out of Blues for getting shit attendances, and to be honest; if I were a bluenose I would definitely have a few words to say about that. I was told that ‘voting with the feet` could be a reason for the low figure, but over what? An unbeaten league start and progress in the cup?
The first half was fairly nondescript, as the lads from the custard bowl took control. Stephen Hunt, or, “gypo”, as he`s known to the Holte End, has the best chance for them but his header from Ward`s cross was saved by Given, who seemed to do himself in a bit of damage in a goalmouth scramble but looked as though he finished the game without too much difficulty. Villa did have one chance in the first period, as speedy Agbonlahor crossed from the left, and it was met by Heskey but the effort went wide.
hat was about it in quite a plain first-half in spite of a bit of Wolves pressure, but the second period was an entirely different story indeed.
Gabby galloped down the left-flank, gliding past ex-Blues centre back Roger Johnson, and he unleashed a shot at ‘keeper Hennessey, but he saved his effort, and unfortunately it couldn`t be capitalised on by any of his Villa teammates. Richard Dunne also managed to power a header towards the gold and black goal in a later attempt, but that was blocked and subsequently cleared by Kevin Doyle.
Chris Herd also had a headed opportunity, but this was well saved via a tip over the bar after it looked like it may just sneak in at the last moment. Darren Bent had Villa`s final chance, as he managed to make contact with a pinpoint cross from wee Scotsman Barry Bannan, but his header only managed to find the roof of the net.
So, Villa still remain unbeaten into September, and we are likely to see at least one more incoming transfer now that Luke Young has departed back ‘home` to QPR. I don`t know about anybody else, but I quite fancy our chances going to Everton in a fortnight`s time, as the perennial slow starters have just failed to beat Blackburn and lost to QPR last week. There is no denying that the Goodison Park club do have some good individual players, but they are in bad need of investment and even with a great manager like David Moyes in charge, it is hard to see them challenging for Europe again next season.
Player Ratings
Shay Given 6
Another clean sheet. Good stuff.
Chris Herd 8
Great performance by the lad with hardly any Premier League experience.
Stephen Warnock 6
Didn’t really do anything wrong today really, but didn’t look too assured either.
James Collins 7
Solid and dealt with everything.
Richard Dunne 7
Ditto Collins.
Charles N’Zogbia 7
Showed glimpses of his quality. He has a few games under his belt now, his Villa career starts here.
Gabby Agbonlahor 6
His pace troubled Wolves, but lacked the movement today to have much of an impact.
Stan Petrov 6
Unfortunately didn’t really notice him today.
Fabian Delph 7
Looked all-action again but just didn’t quite happen for him today.
Emile Heskey 7
Looked good I thought, hos movement always disrupted the Wolves back-line.
Darren Bent 5
Through no fault of his own, had absolutely no service.
Barry Bannan 6
Would have liked to have seen Ireland today as he is more experienced, but did OK.
Marc Albrighton N/A
Not enough time.
