Source: Telegraph
John Carew keeps Aston Villa in contention
So this is what 'pretty important' means in the Martin O'Neill lexicon. With a veritable who's who of the football world looking on, including Guus Hiddink and Roman Abramovich, Aston Villa put aside suggestions that their one target this season is the Premier League with a performance full of effort, undone only by a first half goal from CSKA Moscow that sadly means Villa will travel to Russia with a tricky task on their hands. [LNB]'Obviously it will be difficult, but it is not impossible,' O'Neill said. 'I thought we played really well tonight. Will the game be difficult in Moscow? Definitely. [But] I think we are capable of winning.' [LNB]If there is one concern about the Villa side it is a lack of defensive options. With Martin Laursen and Carlos Cuellar still out, Curtis Davies was required to manfully play through the pain of a damaged shoulder. Having conceded three to Everton at the weekend they needed a solid showing here. [LNB]This was a tall order, as CSKA are a threat going forward, especially with Vagner Love leading the line. [LNB]In the 14th minute he played a cute one-two with Alan Dzagoev, ran clean through Luke Young and Davies, and slotted the ball past Brad Guzan for his ninth goal in seven Uefa Cup ties this season. [LNB]Stung by the goal, which came out of the blue, Villa set their systems to attack mode, looking to Ashley Young for inspiration. Straining at the leash on the left sideline, bickering with Nicky Shorey for more ball, and quivering with impatience when his team-mates chose to go another route, Young was everywhere. [LNB]Predictable, maybe, but whenever he was released from the traps plum opportunities were the product. [LNB]Young looked for Agbonlahor as the half-hour mark approached, but the striker could have done with a bouffant rather than a shaven bonce, which offered no purchase on the ball as it swung high across goal. [LNB]Next it was Carew's turn to try his luck on goal, but he headed over the bar minutes later, again off a Young cross. 'He is an exceptional deliverer of the ball,' O'Neill purred. [LNB]Considering his impact, there were some worried looks when Young went down with a back injury just before the break. Clearly in some discomfort, he walked down the tunnel as soon as the referee would allow. [LNB]Cue sighs of relief as he emerged for the second half, which was less than 10 minutes old when the midfielder drifted a corner to the far post, where Craig Gardner rose highest, only to nod against the crossbar. [LNB]By this time it was all Villa. As trigger-happy as Rambo, they were laying it on thick, making CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev work hard. They were rewarded in the 69th minute, and who else but Young should create the danger. His low, dangerous cross found no one in the area but instead fell to Gardner on the other wing. Gardner cut the ball back for Carew to drive past Akinfeev. Villa Park was pumping, every fan on their feet. The Norwegian striker faced the crowd, drinking it in. [LNB]Sensing a winning goal, Villa surged forward and the home support were left fuming when CSKA opted to slow up the game with substitutions. [LNB]How Villa Park howled when a scant two minutes of added time were announced. Sadly it was not to be. [LNB]Moscow will be tough, certainly, but we know one thing: Villa will mean business in Russia. [LNB]Match details [LNB]Aston Villa (4-4-2): Guzan; Luke Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey; Gardner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young; Carew, Agbonlahor.Subs: Friedel, Bannan, Salifou, Lowry, Albrighton, Harewood, Delfouneso.Booked: Petrov, L Young.Goals: Carew, 69.CSKA Moscow (4-4-1-1): Akinfeev; Vasili Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Alexei Berezutsky, Shchennikov; Krasic, Rahimic, Aldonin (Mamaev, 90), Zhirkov (Erkin, 90); Dzagoev (Carvalho, 80); Vagner Love.Subs: Pomazan, Ramon, Ricardo Jesus, Odiah.Goals: Love, 13.Referee: Peter Rasmussen (Denmark) [LNB]
