Aston Villa 2 - 0 Everton

By: Johnny on the Spot | September 24th, 2007

Everton never provided a threat to Martin O’Neill’s men as the midfield completely negated Everton’s Osman, Neville, Jagielka and Pienaar. Playing a 4-4-2 with Ashley and Gabby playing wide of Nigel Reo-Coker and Gareth Barry, Villa kept service to a minimum as Andy Johnson and Victor Anichebe were forced to provide their own impetus.

Meanwhile upfront, John Carew was paired with Luke Moore, disappointing many Villa supporters, who will not be able to ask why the diminutive front-man wasn’t given a chance. It comes on the heels of Barry’s reemergence for the England squad, leaving the legions without an alternative argument of why the captain can’t get a run-in for the Three Lions. Left with nothing but delight and good-will, Villa supporters are visibly shaken and rather quiet this morning.

Carew opened the scoring in the 13th when Leighton Baines found the open Norwegian who collected the clearance and placed the ball past Everton’s keeper Stefan Wessels for his first of the campaign. Gabby doubled the score in the 62nd minute when he took a Route 1 ball from Scott Carson, controlled and slotted the ball home. Having scored his third goal in four games against the Toffies, Moyes is said to be readying an offer for the U21 starlet, as benching Agbonlahor will do what his defense is incapable of: stopping the speedy winger.

Villa fans came away from the game with mixed feelings. While the victory will be relished, especially against a direct opponent for a European slot, Andy Johnson was never given the chance to miss a penalty and incur even more wrath for the Villa faithful. Supporters have not forgotten his days at Birmingham City (and put him to task throughout the game), but they have forgotten that he was absolutely dreadful for Brum. Almost as dreadful as his current form which has seem him goalless for six months.

Villa is now 8th in the table and have a midweek Carling Cup home tie against Leicester City, who Martin once made respectable. Following that they visit White Hart Lane, which means O’Neill will be unable to prepare tactically, as he doesn’t know if he will be kicking Jose Mourinho’s ass for the second time in two weeks, handing Martin Jol his P45 or facing off with any number of coaches with any number of formations. What he does know is that he will face a team wearing Blackburn’s kit but without Blackburn’s bite.