Villa victorious through deflected Milner strike
Martin O'Neill eyeing up a Champions League place
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Saturday, 20, Dec 2008 08:49
Aston Villa are up to third in the Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 win against West Ham at Upton Park this evening.
Winger James Milner was the hero for Villa as he scored a late deflected goal to secure the points for his side. But the result was harsh on the Hammers as they dominated for large periods and came close to scoring on a number of occasions.
West Ham looked to be gaining in confidence under Gianfranco Zola after last week's courageous draw at Chelsea. They started quick off the blocks today and only a top save from Brad Friedel stopped Craig Bellamy from giving the Hammers the lead.
Captain Lucas Neill wasted a golden chance to score for West Ham. The defender was left unmarked in the penalty area, but shot wide from a few yards out.
Aston Villa started the game surprisingly sluggishly even though most of their stars were rested in the Uefa Cup in midweek. They were, however, almost gifted a goal when Gabriel Agbonlahor pounced on a tame Scott Parker back-pass. But the England international could only hit the outside of the post after rounding Robert Green.
Villa ended the first half the stronger and Green was forced to make good saves from Milner and Gareth Barry, but it was West Ham who dominated the second period.
The Hammers should have taken a deserved lead when Cole found himself unmarked at the far post, but the striker could only head over when the goal was at his mercy. Cole had two further close-range chances but on both occasions he was denied by Friedel.
With the game petering out for a draw, Villa grabbed a very lucky winner. Milner was looking to cross the ball in from the left-wing, but it took a wicked deflection off Neill and beat Green in the Hammers goal.
The win sees Villa leapfrog Manchester United into third place, though they have played two games more than the champions. The result puts added pressure on fifth-placed Arsenal, who face league leaders Liverpool tomorrow.