Sunday, October 02, 2005
Aston Villa 2 Boro 3
Right, so if it's a tough looking tie we'll win and if it looks easy we'll probably lose?! Still no consistency then, but today it was in our favour, bringing 3 points for only the second time after a midweek European game.Mendieta and Nemeth were brought in for Morrison and Maccarone, with Pogatetz going to left back as Franck Queudrue sat on the bench - these unforced changes made sense and made for an evenly matched contest throughout. Villa were quiet in the first half and the deadlock was broken by another terrific Yakubu strike around the half hour. Rochemback was given free rein again to float around the pitch, making several cutting runs, and the back four looked in relative control too. Villa came out with more life in the second half though and sure enough got the equaliser, but Boro never let them settle too much and responded with a vital goal from a corner by George Boateng, who looked like he'd won the lottery! A late penalty, tucked away expertly by the Yak for his 4th of the season, all but ensured the win, with time for only 2 seconds of panic after Villa got a fortunate 2nd right before the final whistle.
It felt like a win with a little in hand today and encouraging that we may go on from this into some kind of regular form... but don't count on it.
My MOTM:
Yakubu is the popular choice for strength and 2 goals, but George Boateng was the real hero.
