Ever since the start of the Martin O`Neill era, the performances Villa have put in on the first weekend of November have always produced either fantastic performances or decent results, with the exception of Middlesbrough at home three years ago when Steve Sidwell put in not the first, and definitely not the last, poor performance of his career. I`m really pleased to be able to say that today was both, and a big improvement on recent games.
Sure, people might say that Villa would be expected to beat a team like Norwich at home, but this season, that just isn`t true. Aside from the so-called ‘Sexy Six`, any team can beat anybody else, so any points are good ones. Norwich also showed today that they will be a very difficult team to play against this season, and Paul Lambert looks to have assembled a hard-working squad of lower league players that play really well as a team. On the basis of today, I can`t see them going down this season.
I`ve got to admit that in the last few games, I`ve laboured a little when it comes to writing these match reports, completely because the football has been so mind-numbingly dull and defensive that it`s been difficult to gather the enthusiasm to write them. Not today. Perhaps we were helped slightly by the open game that Norwich played, but today was easily the most enjoyable game I`ve watched involving Villa this season, and I hope it won`t be the only one.
Central to the quality of this performance was the immense show put on by our most famous local lad, Gabby Agbonlahor. He`s had his boo boys in the past, occasionally under MON, and most definitely at times last season (and allegedly Houllier was one of them, but that`s for another article), but he looks to have been completely reborn under McLeish. Not only did he show fantastic reactions to finish with his weaker foot, but the crosses he delivered for Bent`s goals today were ones that Ashley Young and Stewart Downing would have been proud of, and the icing of the cake was that each of them we pinged with a different foot.
But things didn`t start tremendously brightly for the claret and blues. Norwich were looking by far the stronger of the two sides, and the home crowd were quite rightly getting a little restless at the way play was developing. These anxieties proved to be correct after the Huttonator kicked somebody else, and my first-namesake Anthony Pilkington made us pay with a great free-kick that was lashed into the top corner. The only criticism that could be made of Given here was that a top quality, experienced ‘keeper like him really shouldn`t be beaten at his post, as good as the effort was.
Luckily, the goal scored by the Canaries seemed to make Villa`s lion roar again, and five minutes after Villa had gone one-nil down, the scores were level. At various points in the game, Gabby gave both Norwich full-backs an absolutely torrid time, but this time it was Barnett`s turn to look a fool, as he was out-paced by Gabby, who fizzed in a teasing ball across the box, which close-range predator Darren Bent was able to convert, and hopefully silence some of the doubters that have creeped to the surface at the same time.
When the second half commenced, barely minutes after the Holte End had managed to regain it`s collective breath, Gabby popped up to secure an early goal, and swing the lead the way of Villa`s with it. A horrendous defensive mix-up by Norwich allowed Gabby the chance to win the ball from the ‘keeper, which he duly did and dispatched the tap-in to add to his ever impressive goal tally this season.
In truth, by the time the third goal did eventually come around, Villa probably should have been more than two goals up, but fears were substantially relaxed when Bent scored his fourth goal of the season. Some great work by the recently much maligned (including by myself at times) N`Zogbia, who in my opinion had his best game for Villa today, paid off as the ball somewhat fortunately rebounded to Agbonlahor, who proceeded to beat his man and deliver an exquisite ball into the box that was bundled in by Bent. It wasn`t undeserved on the balance of play, and there were even a few oles shortly afterwards.
But this is Villa we`re talking about, which means that it`s never completely easy to watch, and the obligatory nervy final 10 minutes was confirmed when a well-worked move was headed in by summer accusation from Millwall, Steve Morison. Fortunately, this proved to be the last major action of the game and the Villa managed to hold on to get the three points and our third league win of the season in the process.
In an action packed game, that, as they say, was that, and there was a genuine feeling of positivity as people were leaving the ground, which made a hell of a lot of difference compared to the last few games. Other than reinforce how chuffed I was with the effort and attacking quality of the performance, I can`t really say a great deal else, although it was brilliant to see Jenas finally make his Villa debut, and our movement in midfield seemed to improve as soon as he came on. With match fitness, he could add a great new dimension to our midfield over the course of the rest of the season.
If you`re going to Tottenham or Swansea, then I hope you have a great time and get to cheer the lads onto three points. We have Manchester United to look forward to next at Villa Park, which of course means Ashley Young`s return, which should be fun.
Player Ratings
Shay Given 7
Made some good saves but shouldn’t have been beaten from the free-kick.
Alan Hutton 6
Still a little suspect, but helped to attack well today.
Stephen Warnock 7
Defensively solid today, returning to the good player we saw at Blackburn.
Richard Dunne 6
Looked immobile against Norwich’s attack today, was in trouble with a few fouls.
James Collins 7
Good today, showed a great attitude.
Stan Petrov 7
Did the simple things well, which was all he needed to do.
Chris Herd 7
Was the solid platform that helped our attacking performance. Can tackle, pass, and run.
Charles N’Zogbia 8
Was great today, if slightly selfish at times. Could tell he wanted a goal really badly.
Emile Heskey 7
His work-rate always helps the side.
Gabby Agbonlahor 9
Exceptional today, one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from him.
Darren Bent 8
Two great, predatory goals, will do his confidence good.
Jermaine Jenas N/A
Seems harsh to rate him in the circumstances.
Stephen Ireland N/A
Not enough time.
