Heading to Wigan, most would have Villa down for an easy win. But don’t be fooled as Wigan are the side who beat Villa on the opening day of the season, and also beat Liverpool at the same venue as tonight’s fixture just seven days ago.
Martin O’Neill decided to pick John Carew to partner the returning Gabby Agbonlahor, leaving Emile Heskey on the bench.
Both sides started of bright, with an end to end game, both creating chances. It was more the game for the football fan and not for the fans of those involved.
It looked like Villa had taken the lead early on when Ashley Young put the ball across the Wigan goal, and Gabby Agbonlahor fired home, only for it to be disallowed for offside.
It was Villa who eventually took the lead though, when Stewart Downing put the ball onto John Carew’s head who headed the ball back across goal only for McCarthy to slice his clearance and the ball end up past Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland into the net.
It didn’t take the home side long to get back onto level terms though. Two minutes to be prosiest.
Charles N’Zogbia whipped in a fantastic ball from a free-kick, and it met Caldwell’s head who fired the ball past Brad Friedel.
Villa then restored there lead just past the hour mark. Ashley Young swings in a corner; Chris Kirkland comes for the ball, but ends up in no man’s land. The ball somehow ends up outside the box as it falls to England international James Milner, who sends a fine strike towards goal, and it somehow goes past all the legs in the box, and Villa regain their lead.
The game became very sloppy with players giving silly fouls and balls away, but all points count specially when we are in the hunt for a top four place.
And why can’t we still get a Champions League spot? We have just beaten Wigan at a place that Liverpool couldn’t last week.
