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

Aug 10 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Young picked the ball up from the halfway line and escaped his marker with a well-timed nudge before advancing into the box.

But his shot lacked real conviction and was deflected in any case making Frey’s save an easy one.

Milner produced a thunderous shot from 20 yards, which was much more of a test for Frey, and both Milner and Young were appealing for spot-kicks as the first half drew to a close.

Peace Cup golden boy Marc Albrighton and Davies joined Guzan in the action at half-time in place of Young and Carlos Cuellar.

The visitors opened the half well with Juan Manuel Gamberini crossing for Gilardino whose close-range header was pushed behind by Guzan. Villa made four changes on the hour and quickly upped a gear with Frey saving well from Nathan Delfouneso who had replaced Agbonlahor.

John Carew, Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell were also brought into the game and the latter was soon causing problems with Dario Dainelli booked for a trip.

Jovetic hit the crossbar with a header and then found the net with the rebound but referee Peter Walton had already blown for an infringement. Delfouneso sent a header wide of the far post from a wondrous ball from Albrighton.

VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel (Guzan, ht); Lichaj, Cuellar (Davies, ht), Clark, Shorey; A Young (Albrighton, ht), Delph (Lowry, 78), Milner (Reo-Coker, 60), Gardner (Sidwell, 60); Agbonlahor (Delfouneso, 60), Heskey (Carew, 60).

FIORENTINA (4-4-2): Frey; Comotto, Gamberini (Dainelli, ht), Natali, Pasqual (Gobbi, ht); Marchionni (Baracar, 76), Donadel (Kuzmanovic, 61), Montolivo (Jorgensen, 76), Vargas (Di Tacchio, 86); Gilardino (Santana, 76), Jovetic. Not used: Avramov, Seculin.