Aston Villa 0, Wigan 2: Mat Kendrick's big match verdict
Perhaps, on reflection, Carew should have been risked ahead of Gabby Agbonlahor or Emile Heskey and Delph should have made way for Nigel Reo-Coker or Steve Sidwell.
But retrospect, like a reliable central defender, is not something the manager can call upon.
For the Villa backline was once again a cause of much concern with a Martin Laursen-sized chasm in the heart of the defence.
The foundation of Villa’s success for two-thirds of last season was the ability to grind out single-goal victories, but this back four just doesn’t seem capable of the same defensive meanness.
It was an afternoon which showcased the best and the worst of Curtis Davies with the former Albion skipper producing an impeccable tackle to deny Hugo Rodallega after Delph had played him into trouble and then putting his body on the line to block another close-range strike from the Colombian.
But Davies’ worrying tendency to allow the ball to drift over his head culminated in the opening goal on the half-hour mark when neither he nor partner Carlos Cuellar dealt with a poor header from Nicky Shorey and Rodallega volleyed in an early contender for goal of the season.
Davies repeated the error again before the break with Rodallega denied by the legs of Brad Friedel, who also finger-tipped Charles N’Zogbia’s low strike on to the post, after James Milner’s improvised goalline clearance with his knee kept out an earlier header from the goalscorer.
Wigan, whose increased confidence was in direct correlation with Villa’s diminished composure, wrapped up the win early in the second half when N’Zogbia was allowed to advance from near the halfway line to the edge of the area before releasing Jason Koumas on the left for a near-post finish through Friedel’s legs. They would have made it three but for the keeper’s fine save from Jordi Gomez.
Attacking wise, belting first-half strikes from Milner and Ashley Young forced smart saves from Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland, while Sidwell missed a headed sitter after replacing Delph on the hour and Titus Bramble recovered to block Young’s late, late effort after the Wigan defender gifted Villa the chance.
The Latics, in new boss Roberto Martinez’s first game, were worthy winners.
But, as O’Neill admitted, it simply was not good enough from Villa and he must take full responsibility.
Villa are demanding rapid solutions before Thursday’s Europa League kick-off against Rapid Vienna, while there is also the small matter of visiting Anfield, the scene of last season’s most humiliating afternoon, in their next Premier League fixture a week today.
