One way traffic



On Saturday I was up at Villa park for the clash between Villa and Hull. I can't get up there that often, so I had originally pencilled in the Hull match as one of those that Villa should win. However, Hull have hit form over the last few weeks and as Villa seem to struggle against the teams that they'd be expected to beat it was a calculated gamble.

Fortunately Hull must have read my mind and didn't put up much of a fight at all. Villa had most of the play and Hull didn't get a shot on goal even though the referee seemed intent on taking the names of all the Villa players and turning a blind eye to infringements by Hull players, it was still a bit too easy for the Villa. Richard Dunne put Villa ahead with a shot that looked like he was imaganing the ball was Thierry Henry's head. Then on 28 minutes James Milner who was again on fire (Gareth who?) took the opportunity when Myhill came out to clear the ball for a throw in. Sidwell who wasn't playing reacted quickly, Luke Young took a throw in and Milner managed to lob the keeper while he was still trying to get back to his goal line.

Milner and the Villa midfield as a whole played well and the defence managed to cut out what few attacks Hull had, but Villa still look like they need a natural goal scorer. Agbonlahor is great, but he isn't a poacher, Heskey just isn't right for the team and John Carew, you've got to love him, but he isn't exactly mr.Consistant. In fact Villa with a reliable scorer would have been 5-0 up at half time. Instead they had to wait until John Carew came off the bench for the lacklustre Heskey to get another goal on 87 minutes, and that was a penalty. Young was brought down in the box and he wanted to take the penalty, as did Milner, but Carew wanted it and who would be daft enough to get in an arguement with him. So that's how it finished 3-0 in what was an easy victory.

Pictures: Richard Dunne celebrates his goal
Zayette for once doesn't bring Gabby down

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