Brilliant 2nd half performance by the lads, one of the best we had this season.
We had an encouraging start as a low cross from the right could have been tapped it by Matty, who didn't manage to overcome Melberg's pressure beside him. It was pretty much end to end stuff from then on, but you could feel Villa had that small edge that made them more likely to take the lead, especially as Baros (bet he's well disappointed about his summer decision regarding us) looked really sharp and dangerous when he was on the ball (all credit for Danny Gabbidon for dealing with him so well throughout the match, another great performance which proved how missed he was while injured). Can't blame anyone for their goal really (although I'm sure Carroll will get some undeserved stick, as he was mislead to dive left for the cross before the ball met Hendrie's head), just a fantastic team move, and a goal that had been felt that was coming, after a good spell.
Half time proved to be crucial, don't know what Pards said to them at half time, but it worked, no doubt. We opened the 2nd help with some cracking quick football, I can swear we were on the ball for about 3-4 whole minutes deep in their half creating non-stop pressure on their nervy defense. The goal was bound to come, as we were given a free kick resulted by Lee Hendrie's hand ball 45 yards left of goal, Konch delivered a fantastic ball, Zamora broke through their offside trap and headed right in.
We never thought for a second to pull back, pressure was still well on. Shaun Newton was set by Reo-Coker and almost scored from the acute angle, shooting low towards the far left. Another one of many corners found Mullins all alone in the box, last weeks goalscorer was prevented from a sure goal as Lee Hendrie yet again handled the ball, this time in the box. Marlon took his penalty well to complete the comeback.
we could have made it 3-1 if the linesman wouldn't have ruled an unjustified offside decision against Reo-Coker, on the half way line, as Nige was all alone in front of goal. There were some edgy moment at the end as AP decided to send Dailly in for Matty Etherington to boost our defense, but we held in well and took 3 extremely important goals from Villa Park. Top work by the lads, hats off... :doff:
Ratings:
Carroll: Some might blame for the goal, but I'm sure any 'keeper would have fallen for that, other than that he had a commanding performance behind our back line and pulled off 2 good saved off Baros and Milner. 7.
Repka: Solid performance that makes you wonder how we will look without him when he returns home. 7.
Ferdinand: Fantastic to watch his comfort and ease at the back, very strong performance. The co-operation with Gabbers looked better than ever. 8.
Gabbidon: As I said earlier, marking Baros was especially challenging today, and he dealt with it perfectly. great to have him back on the side. 9 MOTM.
Konchesky: Set a perfect delivery for Z-man when we equalized, cool defensively and always looked like a threat going forward. 7.
Newton: Brilliant, really impressed by him today. Never stopped working, kept troubling Villa's defense whenever he was on the ball, kept tracking back to help defensively, and could have even scored his first goal for the club. 8.
Mullins: Another encouraging performance, really bossed the middle of the park during the second half. Kept trash-talking with Gavin McCann though. 8.
Reo-Coker: Slowly but surely Nige is shifting back into the same old Nige who was on top form at the beginning of the season. Kept bursting forward panicking Villa's defense, pleased to see him fully back from injury. 8.
Etherington: Worked hard on the left, looked committed. Whenever he cut inside Villa were in trouble. 7.
Zamora: Pleasure to watch. His link-up play and clever chips indicate his work behind the scenes with Teddy, read Konchesky's ball perfectly to head it right in. Lovely performance, I wouldn't have subbed him. 8.
Harewood: Can't believe he was once regarded as 'Lazy', his work-rate is sky-high. Won every single physical battle up front, shot a perfect penalty and looks delighted after it. 8
Away support. 10 out of 10, unbelievable. I solute each and every one of traveled up there. Bubbles, AP's Claret and Blue army, Over land and sea and more out voiced 35,000 Villa fans (who were unsupportive enough towards their team to leave the stadium with about 5-6 minutes to go). :niceone:
IRONS!!!!!!