|
Arsenal 1-1 ASTON VILLA, Sat Mar 01st |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Saturday, 01 March 2008 |
On a bright but cold afternoon in North London Villa's penchant for giving up late goals allowed Arsenal to snatch a point in a draw that, in the finish, feels very much like a defeat.
Gardner continued at right-back in place of Mellberg in an unchanged team.
The home team started brightly and were spraying the ball around they were matched by the Villa and it was apparent they had not travelled to the Emirates to defend.
On 6 minutes Walcott brought a great save out of Carson, stretching to his right to push the ball wide.
The Villa were under pressure but some good defending prevented any clear cut openings for the Gunners.
The Villa had not forced Almunia into a save yet they contrived to take the lead when Agbonlahor took the ball in the left channel, attacked Gallas to drive a cross into the 6yd box. Senderos could only send the ball past the goalie for an own goal.
The claret and blues were forced into a midfield shuffle when Reo-Coker limped out of the action just after the half-hour. In a strange swap MON brought on Zat Knight for the midfielder. Gardner moved into the right side of midfield.
Eight minutes later another shuffle was required when Davies began limping and went down unchallenged on the edge of the box.
He was seen to mouthe "It just popped" from the stretcher. It doesn't look too good.
Deep into first half injury time the Gunners carved the Villa defence open like a can down the right and Fabregas should have scored from 12 yds out but managed to blast high and wide.
The second half continued as the first, Arsenal having the lion's share of possesion but the Villa were keeping them at bay.
On the counter attack, at which this team are so good, the Villa might have increased their lead when Agbonlahor did well to create his own opening only for Almunia to save well, low to his right.
The Villan's had a two or three minute spell where they had the home team very much on the back foot but could not make the pressure tell.
In another strange substitution O'Neill took off Maloney, who had been working quietly but efficiently on the left, replacing him with Harewood. Was the visiting manager going all out for the win with the addition of a third striker?
It was expected that Agbolahor would drop back into midfield but it was Carew took up a holding central role, and did well to boot.
Harewood, looking lively again, was proving a handful for the defenders and brought another good save out of the goalie.
As the game wound down the home team turned up the heat and pressed for the equaliser. The Villa gave away numerous corner kicks but did not look unduly troubled.
In the final seconds in the last action of the match and with three superb points almost in the bag a ball swung in from the left was headed back across goal for the unmarked Bendtner to slam home.
A huge disappointment for birthday man Martin O'Neill and the Villa's travelling army who were once again superb.
This was a gritty team performance by all eleven players, Laursen might have edged a MoM, that deserved the win. But, you don't always get what you deserve in football.
Next weekend's game has been moved to Wednesday March 12th when the Villa entertain Middlesbrough who play in the FA Cup next Saturday.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 01 March 2008 )
|
