Aston Villa 2, Chelsea 1: Lisa Smith's big match verdict

Oct 19 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

“If they think that’s all the match was about then I’d have to disagree. Look at Gabby Agbonlahor’s performance as well as that of Milner and Young. Stiliyan Petrov was also absolutely outstanding.”

The fact that Villa’s goals came from defenders also only served to delight the manager, who bought the pair of comparative bargain-basement buys in the summer.

Richard Dunne made it two goals in two games with Villa’s opener on 32 minutes when he headed home a perfectly-weighted Young corner, which had been flicked on by a haphazard Frank Lampard.

Villa went on to ensure the win through James Collins, who found himself in acres of space to head the ball past a beleaguered Petr Chech in the 52nd minute, again from a Young corner.

And all this after it had looked like nothing was going to go Villa’s way.

Stand-in referee Kevin Friend, replacing the sick Steve Bennett, proved more of a foe when he ignored Villa claims for a penalty after just five minutes when Jose Bosingwa felled Agbonlahor on his way through to goal.

The penalty was not given, nor was a red card, leaving O’Neill and the home fans seething.

Minutes later and Chelsea had taken the lead through Didier Drogba, who will have expected more resistance from Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The American went to parry the shot away but mistimed it and, as it bounced awkwardly, he could only watch as it flew into the net.

Villa were soon back in it, however, and might have gone on to score a few more – John Carew was guilty of wasting one wonderful opportunity when he could not bring the ball down and Steve Sidwell was unable to head down against his former club.

Milner almost scored off the post in a carbon copy of his near miss for England in midweek before Friedel made amends for his error with fine saves from Florent Malouda and Deco.