Aston Villa 2-2 Wolves
John Carew netted two goals for Aston Villa but will be disappointed with the draw with Wolves
Also In The News
|
A Manchester United side missing Wayne Rooney underlined their Premier League credentials by digging out an invaluable three points at Wolves in an uninspiring 1-0 victory that sent them back to the top of the table. |  |
Saturday, 20, Mar 2010 02:41
By Darren Plant.
Aston Villa suffered a blow in the race for fourth place in the Premier League after they only managed a 2-2 draw with a spirited Wolves side at Villa Park.
John Carew had given Villa an early lead, but Jody Craddock and a James Milner own goal gave Wolves a half-time lead.
The home side pressed in the second half, and their pressure paid off with ten minutes to go when Carew netted his second. But despite their comeback, Villa will view this game as two points dropped rather than one gained.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill named Emile Heskey in his starting line-up ahead of kick-off, replacing Gabriel Agbonlahor who was suffering with a foot problem, while Wolves boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged line-up for the sixth successive league game.
The home side started brightly, and came agonisingly close to taking the lead after four minutes when Carew lost his marker and fired across goal, with the ball just evading the sliding Stephen Warnock at the far post.
Wolves responded well and created their first opportunity when Matt Jarvis hit his corner to Adlene Guedioura on the edge of the box, but the midfielder's volley went a yard wide of the post.
However, just past the quarter hour mark, Villa took the lead in slightly fortunate circumstances. Ashley Young took on Ronald Zubar down the left and he pulled the ball back to Carew, who after coming from an offside position, tapped the ball in from six yards.
Despite falling behind, Wolves had offered encouragement going forward, but their effectiveness in the box was lacking, with Jarvis curling wide from 12 yards, but moments later, they equalised.
David Jones's free kick from midway inside the Villa half found Zubar, but after mis-kicking when in front of goal, the ball fortuitously found Craddock who knocked the ball into an empty net.
After the frantic opening half hour, the flow of the game died down, but on 37 minutes, Wolves took the lead after some superb build-up play.
Jones weaved inside two Villa players, before laying the ball off to Jarvis on the left. The winger bided his time before pulling the ball back for Jones, but before the midfielder could connect, Milner diverted the ball into his own net.
The home side should of equalised two minutes later when Young crossed to the far post for Stewart Downing but he headed the ball into the ground and it cleared the bar.
Wolves began the second half well, but it was Villa who twice went close with Richard Dunne heading just over at the back post from six yards, and Young sending a free-kick onto the roof of the net.
As the game hit the hour mark, it was all Villa as they camped themselves in the Wolves half, and Carew tested goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann with a header from eight yards.
The home side continued to press and after another Young cross had caused confusion, Karl Henry was well-placed to prevent Heskey scoring by clearing off the line.
Wolves were beginning to show some life further forward though, with Kevin Doyle holding the ball up impressively and laying up Jarvis to unfortunately shoot straight at Brad Friedel.
But with ten minutes remaining, Villa regained their initiative. First Carew glanced over from ten yards after being found by Young and soon after Milner fired just wide from the edge of the box.
The home side didn't have wait much longer for the equaliser though and on 82 minutes they got their just rewards.
Carew flicked a long ball onto Heskey, and after the England striker laid the ball off to Steve Sidwell, the midfielder's shot was turned in by Carew past a helpless Hahnemann.
After an evenly contested final few minutes, it was Wolves who finished the stronger of the two sides, but manager McCarthy will be more than pleased with another point which helps them yet further in the quest to avoid relegation.