Match Review - Aston Villa (a)

[Jourdan]

**No match preview for Villa game as I have had problems with my Internet connection since Thursday**

**No match review vs West Ham as I'm missing the game because I'm going to an open day at Leeds Trinity**

Aston Villa 2-0 Derby
By Jourdan Rhule

The Rams’ travel sickness continued as they crashed to their second successive defeat in the Midlands derby at Villa Park.

The Villa players must have thought Christmas had come early as the Derby defence played like Santa giving away two second half goals like presents.

Although the deadlock wasn’t broken until the second half, Derby were certainly fortunate not to be behind before the half-time interval.

An encouraging start for the visiting side was a false dawn as after Scott Carson palmed Steve Howard’s 20-yard snapshot on the turn over the bar, Villa bossed proceedings.

The chances flooded in for the team in claret and blue as County keeper Stephen Bywater instinctively saved Zat Knight’s powerful close-range effort from Gareth Barry’s left wing corner. Luke Moore was unable to convert Barry’s teasing low shot towards goal before the home side came a whisker away from opening the scoring as Gabriel Agbonlahor steered his low shot agonisingly wide of Bywater’s left hand post after Wilfred Bouma’s cross sat up generously for him. The Rams defence were living dangerously and the pace of Agbonlahor was proving a nuisance. The England under-21 international burst into the box before Andy Griffin’s precise sliding tackle robbed him of a shooting opportunity. Former Watford star Young was left frustrated as after he waltzed round several Derby defenders but he could only thrash his right-foot shot into the side netting just after the half-hour mark.

The visitors had offered very little going forward with Howard looking isolated and the midfield struggling to master the art of keeping possession. But their main task was stopping Villa from edging ahead and they did so as the Villa onslaught wilted. Gary Teale came on for Claude Davis ahead of the second half as the Rams looked to pose Villa more problems going forward.

But the hosts remained in control and stormed ahead on 57 minutes to end the frustration of the home crowd. Nobody attacked Young’s free-kick floated in from the left and Barry was allowed to creep into space unnoticed at the back post to prod Young’s cross back across goal. Danish centre-back Martin Laursen was first to react and thumped the ball past Bywater in emphatic fashion. Heads dropped and Billy Davies’ men looked resigned to defeat as the home crowd came to life hoping to spur their side onto a second goal. And they weren’t left dissatisfied as Young grabbed their second on 61 minutes. Bywater could only parry Agbonlahor’s shot into the path of Nigel Reo-Coker who scooped the ball towards the back post for Young who was in acres of space as he powered the ball home from 6 yards out.

Derby were momentarily lifted by the introduction of Robert Earnshaw, who replaced Craig Fagan. He was soon in the thick of the action as he galloped onto a delightful through ball from midfield but he could only screw his shot wide of Carson’s right hand post. After Howard looped his header over the crossbar from a right wing corner, Earnshaw went close once more as hooked the ball over from close range. From that point, Villa eased through the remainder of the game with Agbonlahor and substitute Shaun Maloney failing to put some gloss on the score-line.

This was Derby’s sixth defeat in seven away league games and the loss sees them remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. They now embark on consecutive home games where they will be hoping to kick-start their fight for survival. But it won’t be easy as West Ham and Chelsea are not to be taken lightly in their recent form. Fortunately for the Rams, they are still in reach of the teams above them but if this losing streak continues, it won’t be long before they are cut adrift which would be worrying as survival is already looking like an increasingly difficult task.

Player Ratings

Bywater – 7 – MOTM – If it wasn’t for his string of saves, the margin of defeat could have been much worse.

Griffin – 5 – Lacked any confidence going forward and delivered a mixed performance in defence.

Davis – 6 – Solid display before being mysteriously substituted at half time.

Moore – 5 – Appears very clumsy and heavy handed at times. Gives the side great aerial presence and strength at the back but his lack of pace can be easily exploited.

McEveley – 5 – Unspectacular display by the Scottish international.

Fagan – 5 – His great work-rate can no longer overshadow his lack of quality. Although he is versatile, he is not asking enough questions of opposing defence as either a striker or right-winger.

Oakley – 5 – Far from his best – all aspects of his performance were very limp and lacklustre.

Leacock – 6 – Looked tidy playing in the holding role in front of defence, but had less joy reverting to central defence in the second half.

Pearson – 5 – Really disappointing, looks like a schoolboy playing a man’s game. He appears very lightweight and is too easily muscled off the ball.

Barnes – 5 – Was very isolated as every time he received the ball, several Villa players surrounded him.

Howard – 5 – Had limited success up against Laursen and Knight, mainly because there was rarely no Derby player looking to support him.

Subs.:

Teale – 4 – Looked work-shy and disinterested. Hoped he would make a significant impact when brought on, but all he did was justify his recent omission from the side.

Earnshaw – 6 – Was unfortunate not to score on two occasions and looks increasingly eager and dangerous in his role as an impact player.

[MossytheRam]

Yet another masterclass from jourdan! I couldnt see us getting anything from Villa Park as i have seen nothing from us to convince me. Even when we had the Baiano and Eranios of this world we could never get a result there. I began to think we might just sneak something at half-time as we had kept it at 0 - 0. But as soon as they scored you knew it was game over and that is what is disappointing me most We are just not capable of coming from behind. The heads go down straight away and you get the feeling of the players thinking 'here we go again' just as the fans do. Something has got to change because when you go a goal down you are still very much in the game with only 1 goal in it. Come on Derby, show more fight!!!!