Monday, September 3, 2007

Aston Villa 2 - 0 Chelsea


Mourinho seemed to be delivering on his promise of a more entertaining Chelsea as he again went with two widemen. Martin O’Neill also opted for pace and width in what was a very attacking line-up.

This led to a very positive start to the match as opportunities to score came thick and fast. Luke Moore showed great control only to volley straight at Cech on 6mins. Terry then came close from a corner before Agbonlahor failed to fully test Cech on 13m. The attacking quartet of Villa were looking exciting - full of pace and movement.

However, it was Chelsea who looked in the driving seat with a quarter of the game played. Drogba and Wright Philips’ had efforts wide of the mark as Chelsea pushed on. Malouda’s corners were again looking a problem for Villa as on 33mins Alex headed over form 7 yards. The home side never allowed Chelsea to become comfortable though, as they were a constant threat on the break.

The energetic action continued into the second half and just 2mins in Villa had a goal. Agbonlahor’s bending shot had Cech at full stretch to tip over and from the resulting corner, debutant Zat Knight rose highest to direct a header down and into the Chelsea net.

The introduction of Pizarro on 51mins suggested a siege of Villa’s goal would insue but credit to Villa, they maintained the adventure in their play and didn’t sit back. Chelsea were showing the first signs of frustration when 3 set pieces were wasted just before the hour mark.

Villa were proving as resolute at the back as they were dangerous going forward. However they were looking vulnerable form set-pieces as Terry again headed over on 64mins from a corner.

The home sides gritty defending coupled with Chelsea’s dwindling inspiration meant the points were looking like they would escape the visitors. Kalou dragged a shot wide on 82mins and that was as close as Chelsea were to come as Villa continued to do well with and without the ball.

The game was denied a tense finale as on 88mins Villa’s pace on the break earned them a second. Young flew down the left, cutting inside to shoot and then seeing his shot steered in by Agbonlahor. Joe Cole hit the post on 92mins but it wasn’t to be Chelsea’s day as they failed to grind out a result as one might’ve expected of them.

Man of the Match: Gabriel Agbonlahor – typified Villa’s attacking threat with great pace and movement.

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