Aston Villa 1 Fiorentina 0: Bill Howell's big match verdict

Aug 10 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Also serving notice of his potential was American youngster Eric Lichaj, who will no doubt lose his place to Habib Beye when Wigan come to town.

Once again though it was his compatriot Brad Guzan, the hero of Seville, who did most to push his claims for a jersey with another penalty save in the bag.

Alberto Gilardino’s effort was not as memorably bad as Alessandro Del Piero’s of the previous week, but it was never going to beat Guzan. The Italians were rather too half-hearted in most that they did, particularly in their at-times woeful defending of Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, their chief tormentors.

So, in truth, Villa were worthy winners, although they had to survive not only that missed penalty but also the Italians hitting the woodwork after the break.

Heskey gave them an early lead from Young’s square ball in front of the North Stand but the visitors looked set to equalise only for Guzan, on as a half-time sub, to again be in the right place to save Gilardino’s spot-kick after diving to his right.

The penalty award had been harsh on Villa in any case with Marco Marchionni’s cross appearing to strike another sub, Curtis Davies, on the chest and not the top of the arm.

Villa started brightly with James Milner lashing a half-volley over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Craig Gardner’s fierce low free-kick fizzed through the wall from the edge of the area after Agbonlahor had Cesare Natali all in a muddle competing for a hanging ball.

The rather too lackadaisical Italians survived that scare but within 60 seconds were behind.

Young ghosted to the byline on the left edge of the penalty area and his pull-back was met by Heskey with a low finish at the near post.

Villa continued to force the pace with a poor clearance from Sebastien Frey sailing straight to Gardner whose low shot rebounded back off the keeper to safety.