Aston Villa 0-1 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 11th Feb 2017 17:07 Emyr Huws’s 83rd minute goal saw Town to a 1-0 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park, the Midlanders’ first home defeat of the season. The on-loan Cardiff man smashed home his first Blues goal from David McGoldrick’s left-wing cross
Grant Ward replaced Cole Skuse in midfield in an otherwise unchanged Town side, again in a 3-5-2 system, the ex-Spurs man having taken over from the Bristolian when he suffered an achilles injury during last week’s 2-2 home draw with Reading.
Aston Villa handed a debut to former Swansea full-back Neil Taylor and home debuts to one-time Blue Conor Hourihane, Scott Hogan and Birkir Bjarnason. Striker Keinan Davis, who had a trial with the Town academy at the start of last season, was on the bench.
The game started feistily with Hourihane catching Huws with an elbow after only 10 seconds, much to the anger of skipper Luke Chambers, who remonstrated with referee Tim Robinson, but the official gave a freekick and nothing beyond that.
On seven Ward conceded a freekick just outside the area, which Hourihane hit into the wall. Town failed to clear and Bartosz Bialkowski did well to save from Lansbury from an angle on the left down to his right.
From the corner, Bialkowski was forced into an even better stop, saving sharply from Hourihane after a loose ball had fallen to the Irishman. Chambers blocked a subsequent effort before the ball went behind off a Villa player.
Town claimed a penalty two minutes later when top scorer Tom Lawrence skipped into the area and ended up on the ground as he went past a defender. Referee Robinson was unmoved.
Having found themselves under pressure only a couple of minutes earlier the Blues, wearing white shirts and blue shorts, briefly began to dictate the game and on 11 Ward crossed from the right and McGoldrick’s header was blocked by Lansbury.
On 17 Hourihane found space midway inside the Town half and played in Taylor on the left but the left-back slipped as Josh Emmanuel challenged and eventually the ball was bundled out off the Wales international.
Villa got back on top as the half moved towards its midway point and on 21 they came very close to going in front. Hogan won a freekick from Steven Taylor on the left and rather than crossing Lansbury played a low ball to the edge of the box to the unmarked Bjarnason, who struck a powerful shot which crashed against the bar with Bialkowski beaten.
Town lost Taylor soon afterwards, the defender having treatment on the touchline before disappearing down the tunnel. Myles Kenlock replaced him soon afterwards, the 20-year-old going to left wing-back, Jonas Knudsen to the left of the three and Christophe Berra to the centre.
Villa continued to have most of the ball and on 33 Hogan curled a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Three minutes later, Alan Hutton broke down the right and sent in a deep cross which flew beyond Hogan and Chambers to Jonathan Kodjia, whose acrobatic effort fortunately for Town lacked power and Bialkowski claimed.
McGoldrick conjured the Blues’ best chance of the half a minute later, cutting in from the right and hitting a shot which may well have been on target until it struck a defender and flew wide.
After a Lawrence freekick from midway inside the Villa half had come to nothing, McGoldrick tried another effort from distance but sent the ball well over.
On 42 Chambers battled with Kodjia on the Villa left, the ball appearing to go out of play before the ex-Bristol City striker retrieved it and brought it back out and hit a low shot which Bialkowski saved comfortably down to his left.
In the final minute of the half Berra was caught in the face by a flailing Tommy Elphick arm as Lawrence sent a cross in from the right after a freekick had initially been cleared. Elphick had got nowhere near the ball but referee Robinson was again not interested in penalty claims with Town manager Mick McCarthy clearly unhappy with the challenge on the touchline.
Berra underwent treatment on the pitch but in injury time became the second Blues centre-half forced off by injury with Jordan Spence taking over on the right of the three with Chambers now in the centre.
The half ended soon afterwards with Villa having been the better side and having gone closest to opening the scoring via Bjarnason’s strike off the bar, while Bialkowski had been the busier of the keepers and the home side had had most of the ball.
Nevertheless, the Blues had had spells on the ball without anything too significant being created from open play. However, they had won a number of corners and McGoldrick and Lawrence, who hadn’t seen enough of the ball, had shown fleeting signs of being able to cause the Villa backline problems.
Town, with their makeshift back three consisting of two full-backs and a centre-half who has spent most of his recent career at full-back, started the second half brightly, Ward escaping down the right but scuffing his cross to Villa keeper Sam Johnstone.
The Blues continued their positive start and on 54 won a corner on the left which Villa keeper Johnstone punched away, not entirely comfortably, ahead of McGoldrick.
On 57 a powerful Huws strike deflected wide after Ward, more influential since the restart, had found him following a strong run forward.
From the resultant corner Town should have gone in front. Villa failed to clear and Spence hooked a loose ball wide from six yards when he should have scored with Diagouraga appearing to have been hauled back as he sought to get on to it.
Town threatened again in the 61st minute, Lawrence crossing from the right and McGoldrick heading over. Six minutes later, Villa swapped Hutton for Albert Adomah.
Villa began to get on top and on 72 Hogan claimed a penalty but appeared just to have gone to ground as he ran into Knudsen.
Three minutes later, Lansbury struck a 20-yard freekick straight at Bialkowski, before Knudsen was booked for fouling Adomah as the home side broke. As a number of Villa players protested that play should have been allowed to continue as they were still on the attack, Lawrence underwent treatment on his ankle.
Diagouraga joined the Danish international in the book for a foul on 79, Hourihane’s freekick from halfway looping into the box and bouncing over without being being touched by a player from either team, Town’s defensive aerial presence having been diminished by the first-half substitutions.
Villa went close for the first time in the second half in the 81st minute when Nathan Baker headed a corner goalwards but McGoldrick was on the post to block and Kenlock to turn behind.
And in the 83rd minute Town went in front. Lawrence was felled by a diving Elphick but referee Robinson played a good advantage as McGoldrick got on to the loose ball, took it on to the byline before cutting a low cross back to Huws, who arrived late and slammed into the net from six yards.
Huws and the rest of the Blues players celebrated in front of the ecstatic travelling support to their right.
McGoldrick curled a shot which was too high on 87 before Kevin Bru took over in midfield from goalscorer Huws. Two minutes later, Leandro Bacuna replaced Elphick for Villa.
Soon after the fourth official had held up a board indicating four minutes of additional time, Hourihane sent a 25-yard freekick deep into the Holte End.
Town were forced to repel a couple more corners, one or two more balls into the box and a late Kodjia strike straight at Bialkowski before referee Robinson’s whistle confirmed Town’s first win against Villa since a 1994 victory at Villa Park.
There were excellent performances throughout the Town side from goalscorer Huws and Diagouraga in midfield, McGoldrick and Lawrence up front to the back three, two of in unfamiliar roles due to the first-half injuries, the wing-backs and Bialkowski, who handled confidently in goal.
The result sees the Blues, who had gone 14 games without a clean sheet before today, climb to 13th ahead of Tuesday’s trip to second-place Brighton, who beat Burton Albion 4-1 today.
Villa: Johnstone, Hutton (Adomah 67), Elphick (Bacuna 89), Chester (c), Baker, Taylor, Lansbury, Bjarnason, Hourihane, Kodjia, Hogan. Unused: Bunn, Green, Gardner, Amavi, Davis.
Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), Taylor (Kenlock 25), Berra (Spence 46), Knudsen, Ward, Diagouraga, Huws (Bru 87), Lawrence, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Pitman,Sears, Moore. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 30,796.
Photo: TWTD
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Spanishblueblood added 19:40 - Feb 11
Don't change nothing for me, I still want the foul mouthed, arrogant dino out! He is fortunate Skuse is injured as he has been forced into a change, Skuse and Douglas should never have started one game this season but....... We know how Mick views Skuse as unstoppable!
Mick Out but credit the boys for todays victory! |  | |
austractor added 19:46 - Feb 11
Have to laugh at all the fans who wrote Huws off before he had even pulled a shirt on for us. Great result for us and St Micholas. Some ways to go, but some good signs finally. | | |
cat added 19:48 - Feb 11
WOW😂WOW😂WOW Fantastic 3 points in what can only be described as a smash and grab away win, coupled with the fact the winning goal came from a genuine midfield player, not often you can say that over the last few seasons. This takes the pressure off massively from what is a horrible run of games, and it's also great to see the teams below us not picking up many points between them, all in all plenty to be positive about.
Ps, Also a BIG UP to my fellow anti MM'ers for sticking with their opinions in the face of adversity, AKA, the pro MICK Brigade also known as "The Snipers" (the ones who love to come on here and take pop shots at anyone who don't share there views) or challenges our once great leader. |  | |
BrandestonBlue added 19:48 - Feb 11
Let's get carried away with a win!!!!!!!! Why wouldn't we ? It's what we all live for after all!!
Well done boys and all the fans at the game
COYB! | | |
dirtydingusmagee added 20:08 - Feb 11
well done to all concerned a decent team effort again,the new signings have to take a lot of credit they have certainly made a difference.And as austractor said it is making those who were slagging off cheap and loan players look a bit silly.I know Evans needs to invest ,nothing has changed that BUT credit where its due these new guys are making things happen now. Hope today dosnt come at too much of a cost re injuries ,it would be good to get a settled team .COYB
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Chondzoresk added 20:12 - Feb 11
Well done guys, excellent win. Even I cant complain....lets keep this up. |  | |
BlueandTruesince82 added 20:18 - Feb 11
What's going on with page 2? Can only read the first half of ppls sentences |  | |
heathen66 added 20:27 - Feb 11
Again it is nice to see all of the Pro Mick people out again.
As mentioned by others only time will tell if indeed Mick has seen the light or the performances are just due to circumstances. We will find out probably Tuesday when Skuse will be fit and straight back into the side. Skuse in for Diagouraga as he will probably be conveniently too tired and of course he cannot play Saturday neither
I hope I am proved wrong but let us see. A team without Skuse by choice I believe will never happen. Hopefully Tommy Smith will be back in contention too |  | |
wayway added 21:11 - Feb 11
Great win great performance, Huws is the sort of player we have been crying out for.
But please, are we letting the last two performances gloss over all that has gone on during the last 18 months? If Warburton is available he should be snapped up as soon as possible | | |
warktheline added 21:13 - Feb 11
Excellent result! Hoping McCarthy continues in same vein till end of season!
Swn, let yourself down pal! |  | |
TonyMowbray added 21:24 - Feb 11
Well done Ipswich. Very respectable away win. I'm really hoping Mick is starting to realise that the labouring Skuse isn't the crucial linchpin that he thinks he is and that having a bit more pace and power in midfield is more effective. I think the penny has definitely dropped regarding Douglas........i f'ing hope so anyway! Really pleased for the team and fans that went, but still think it is time for a change of management and owner. | | |
GiveusaWave added 21:57 - Feb 11
What a fantastic result! Outstanding performance by the team. Bart pulled off some brilliant saves in the first half and well done to Huw's for getting his first goal for the club. Vital result and pulls us well away from the relegation zone. |  | |
Pendejo added 22:57 - Feb 11
Some big performances today, massive luck with bar post & having a big Pole in the Goal.
This is now my favourite away game... EVER! OK not quite, but the ecstasy I felt when that goal went in and when the final whistle went... FANTASTIC!!!!
COYB! |  | |
walberblue added 23:26 - Feb 11
"Only judge me when I win" MM |  | |
walberblue added 23:27 - Feb 11
One shot on target. | | |
Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:02 - Feb 12
Right off the bat it's a score of some merit and take the opportunity to applaud those involved who brought us this victory. The opposition may have been one of the promotion favorites for the league at start of season but they've fallen well below standard up to today's game. Take nothing away from ourselves though, the traveling fans must have been thrilled to take home victory from a venue where many may have expected to see defeat, and after last weekend that is two scores and performances that have seen improvement and reason for belief.
(But) Not to get carried away, it's been thus far a very poor season and realistically there is very little to play for in the last months of this league campaign but at least scores such as today bring a sense of hope for the time ahead and shows on occasion, the team HAS the abilities to achieve.
Is McCarthy still in need of departure ? From a personal viewpoint the breaking point was the Lincoln replay game and even despite today would advocate his resignation. One or two impressive scores amid an overall season of unmitigated garbage won't compensate everyone's desires. |  | |
Mariner1974 added 01:36 - Feb 12
Great second half performance, I feared for us when Taylor and Berra had to go off, but Chambers revelled in the main man role and marshalled his young guns superbly. Knudsen was well up for it and Kenlock and Spence held their own when they came on. Diagouraga and Huw look like units...strength in midfield that look like they'll take some to outmuscle them which is what we need in the championship and Lawrence and Didzy have the guile and threat up front. Their defence played well and Baker was blocking alot, but we just needed that one chance to open them up. I just felt it was coming. slot Bishop in being protected by Diag and Huws and we'll be onto something. New blood has given us a lift and Didz and the imminent return of Bishop will do the same. Aston Villa looked scared to play with the boos of their fans rolling around the stadium. Does that sound familiar. Get behind the team and the tide will turn you miserable buzzards | | |
NoelTheDub added 03:55 - Feb 12
Strength in midfield we have not got that for years it was 1 of our downfalls McCarthy take note leave it now as it is .. | | |
Steelmonkey added 08:10 - Feb 12
A very important result and a great win.
I don't have a problem when we show the willingness to play the game.
I've never hid my thoughts on Skuse, but if McCarthy puts him back in after these last two results, it will show just how pigheaded he is.
There is now an opportunity to build on, if he's up for it.
Ok, he will have to replace Diagouraga for the Leeds game, because it's his parent club, but if he doesn't take this chance to keep the most fluent line up that we have seen in ages it will show that he can't or won't see that it could be the way forward. And I say could be because we need to put together some decent form and get consistent results for this not to be a coincidence.
These results are buying him time, but if he hasn't got the balls or ability or the inclination anymore to want and stay here and progress this team then it's best he departs in the summer break.
If these new players are the way forward then we need ME to put his hand in his pocket and make them ours, where necessary.
Early days but the Huws lad and Diagouraga looks to be the type of players we have been missing for some seasons now.
Now as fans we need to get behind them and show them support, the team that is.
Staying away and boycotting the games will affect the team, it's bloody awful when away fans out sing the ground at home, if it's the manager you want out then make your feelings known at games, if the team is playing well then come and support them.
MM, did you listen to what Arsene Wenger had to say about the fans after the Arsenal game today?
COYB's. |  | |
MickMillsTash added 09:32 - Feb 12
Great Result plenty of reasons to be encouraged but not enough to get carried away
The midfield has a lot better shape with 3 in the centre - we keep the ball, give protection to the defence - Diagoura is key.
Emmanuel had his best game for us - going forward and in defence. Kenlock looks more capable every time I see him. McGoldrick lacks strength but maintains class looks like he has some confidence and a partnership with Lawrence is developing. He needs someone to play with that he can trust, Ward helps here as well
Great credit to Chambers to marshall a defence to keep a clean sheet - we looked a mess in the first 20 but once Taylor went off and Chambers went central things improved. Knudsens quality on the ball means he is better kept out of crossing positions. Spence did what he was asked.
I think we have to counter the above with the fact that Villa had loads of new players and did not seem to have worked out how to score goals. They looked better suited to playing on the break.
We remain shambolic at set pieces and Bart has to be more commanding.
The scars of the Derby defeat have not healed - this has helped. |  | |
senduntd added 09:32 - Feb 12
See you next Tuesday Corrick91 | | |
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