Thank god for that. After the debacle in the last game at Villa Park a little under two weeks ago, you could have been forgiven for predicting bleak things against QPR and our bogey side (at home anyway), Wigan. As it happens, after a poor first half at Loftus Road, Alex McLeish managed to awaken the players from their slumber before it was too late and we only ended up dropping the three points after an unfortunate own goal, and this has been followed up with a fairly impressive first home Premier League win against a Wigan side that has caused us a fair amount of trouble in the past.
I was pleasantly surprised with the team that our opinion-dividing Scottish manager picked to take to the field. Although I am a fan of N`Zogbia`s, it`s fair to say that he hasn`t set the world alight so far, so giving the likes of Ireland and Bannan a longer go seemed like a decision that was smart, and would also allow us to take more of an attacking initiative. To be perfectly honest, I`m not sure what the shape of the team behind Bent and in front of Delph and Petrov is supposed to be, but with all our strongest players on form it will be enough to give most sides a game.
I was really impressed by Stephen Ireland today. Barry Bannan has rightly won the plaudits in the last week after his performance against QPR, but it was fantastically refreshing to see Ireland really looking up for it and like he wanted to help contribute to a positive result. It`s not something that Villa fans have seen from him very often, but it was perhaps a timely reminder that in creative terms things might not be as bad as what the doomsayers are suggesting.
I really can`t get over the fact that we have Shay Given in goal. The BBC match report tells me that his first ‘serious` save wasn`t made until the 71st minute, but to me, the fact that it was such a good double save shows the quality that we have bought. He had absolutely nothing to do until then, but didn`t lose concentration and allowed us to go on and score a second without having to worry about the fact that we were no longer winning. Make no mistake about it, with a lesser goalkeeper in between the sticks, that passage of play would have ended with the score being 1-1.
I`m still not quite convinced by Alan Hutton. It might seem a little harsh to be judging him so early on in his Villa career, but he reminds me a little of Zat Knight in that he can make some amazing tackles, but is so inconsistent that at other times he makes the most simple interception look like he`s trying to walk on the moon. I want to spare a thought for the Wigan fans today too, the poor souls must have been able to make the journey down from Wigan in a mini-bus, or maybe even a people carrier!
Villa started the game brightly and there was evidence of an attacking intent that we haven`t truly seen for a few weeks. FIFA enthusiast Darren Bent had a brilliant chance in the first half from a Bannan free kick, and it was the wee Scotsman that was responsible for an unbelievable (Chris Kamara style) pass to set up Gabby`s finish. Warnock won the ball and Bannan`s curling belter found Agbonlahor, who ignored Bent`s run and lashed a shot past apparent summer target Ali Al-Habsi. The Brummie striker is on a great run of form and McLeish seems to have discovered the key to getting the best out of him – making him feel like the team needs him.
In the second half, Gabby flew out of the blocks and was almost rewarded with a second goal after his shot whizzed narrowly wide of his far post. Wigan`s ‘keeper was then faced with a barrage of shots from Bent, Petrov and Bannan, the latter two belting long-range specials. Darren Bent managed to end his Holte End duck to double the lead and settle a few nerves inside Villa Park, after some great work by Gabby culminated in a brilliant cross that the likes of his mate Ashley Young and Stewart Downing would have been proud of.
And aside from Shay Given being called into action again in stoppage time, that was that. It`s October, and the Villa are still unbeaten, and will be for at least another fortnight. Whether we will still be unbeaten at 4:45pm on Saturday 15th though is up for debate, but we`ve got unfinished business there after our meek surrender there last Christmas, and if Fulham can get a draw against the Oil Billionaire Boys` Club, then I think we can too. All we need to do is keep things tight at the back and take the few chances that will come our way. So, a simple plan then, but realistic? Let`s wait and seeĀ
Player Ratings
Shay Given 7
Made sure we got the 3 points with some great saves.
Alan Hutton 6
Not terrible but still needs to improve.
Stephen Warnock 6
A few misplaced passes but generally solid.
James Collins 7
Went about things quietly, didn’t have loads to do but did things well.
Richard Dunne 6
Looks a little too slow, but decent enough.
Stan Petrov 7
Won the ball well and kept things moving.
Fabian Delph 6
A little clumsy but worked hard.
Barry Bannan 7
A great performance, would have been higher had he put himself about a bit more.
Stephen Ireland 7
Good attitude from him today, looked as good as Bannan, but with more know-how.
Gabby Agbonlahor 8
Was simply unstoppable today.
Darren Bent 7
Good to see him looking sharp again, hopefully he can stay fit for longer now.
Emile Heskey 5
Didn’t hold the ball up enough.
Charles N’Zogbia N/A
Not enough time.
Not enough time.
