Source: Telegraph
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Aston Villa 1: match report
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake secured an important draw for Wolverhampton Wanderers in this Midlands derby against Aston Villa, sending his penalty past Brad Friedel in the 83rd minute after Steve Sidwell had scythed Michael Kightly down in the area.
The home side’s equaliser came just minutes after Aston Villa had taken the lead through Gabby Agbonlahor, who had fought off Jody Craddock to beat Wayne Hennessey inside the area.
This was a missed opportunity for Martin O’Neill’s side, who could have risen into the top four. On reflection, though, this 1-1 draw was a fair result. Villa had looked a far cry from the side that defeated Chelsea last week, and although Agbonlahor should have scored inside the first minute, his shot easy for Wayne Hennessey to gather, they posed little threat.
Industrious, yes. But with meagre end product. This was never a top four performance. “Champions League? You’re having a laugh,” the Wolves fans crowed throughout.
Wolves, on the other hand, had looked capable of causing trouble from the opening exchanges.
Richard Dunne was fortunate not to have been penalised for holding Kevin Doyle back in the penalty area inside five minutes for starters, while Brad Friedel could only stand and watch as Doyle’s header thirty minutes later was cleared off the line by Milner.
The American was similarly adrift when, three minutes after that, Kightly sent an inswinging corner into the area, Christophe Berra headed down, and Ebanks-Blake hooked an overhead kick over the bar from inside the six-yard box.
McCarthy, enjoying his side’s aggression, felt free to have some fun, heading the ball back onto the pitch after Villa had cleared, and raising a fist in acknowledgement when the Jack Harris stand’s “Super Mick” chant rang out in salute.
O’Neill, by contrast, looked stern as he walked off at the break. Small wonder: it had been a poor first half for his side.
There was always had the feeling, though, that Villa would come through with a moment of magic. Ashley Young tried to provide it. His shot had Hennessey go horizontal but it hammered into the hoardings behind the Wolves goal.
Sidwell was next, catching sight of an open goal as Hennessey committed to a diving save. The midfielder let loose, only Dunne’s backside got in the way.
Agbonlahor’s goal, when it came, was a typical lapse. Emile Heskey, who had come on for John Carew. found his striker partner in the box, and Craddock was culpable of giving him space and time to turn. Hennessey didn’t have a chance.
But it wasn’t over yet. Down the other end Kightly was weaving his way into the box. Sidwell – always prone to a reckless tackle – slid in and took his legs away. Penalty. Ebanks-Blake sent his shot scorching past Friedel.
