If an oft repeated opinion is described as a tired old record, then David O’Leary’s post-match talks must be on their last legs by now, teetering on the edge, overcome with consummate fatigue, ready to die. Please. After last night’s 3-1 win in the second round of the League Cup, Tubbs came out with his usual spiel: ‘good result … a makeshift back-four … we must improve.’
The predictable response was a perfect adjunct to a game that served up the standard David vs. Goliath fare at Villa Park. The underdogs came out strong, motivated by getting one over on their divisional superiors but were gradually worn down, and when Darius Vassell finished following good work by Gareth Barry and Lee Hendrie just before the half-hour, there was only ever going to be one winner. Nine minutes later Villa had doubled the lead when Juan Pablo Angel netted his second of the season with a powerful back-post header from Nolberto Solano’s flighted free-kick.
Immediately after the restart, Kevin McLeod capitalised on a miscued back-pass from Olof Mellberg and coolly slotted past Thomas Sørenson to pull Ian Holloway’s side a goal back. Hopes were raised amongst the visiting fans, but Villa gradually imposed themselves again and it was another Solano free-kick 12 minutes from time - on this occasion a superlative shot - that clinched his side a place in the third round.
Although the result and its manner provided little surprise, the actual starting eleven and the line-up did. With Martin Laursen, Mark Delaney and Liam Ridgewell all sidelined, Peter Whittingham played at left-back with JLloyd Samuel playing alongside Mellberg in the centre. The two youngsters did well too, though the loss of Samuel’s driving runs on the left-flank, which add some unpredictability to Villa’s attacks should see a return to his favoured position on Saturday for the visit of Crystal Palace. Villa face Burney at turf more in round three.
Villa team: Sørenson, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Samuel, Whittingham, Solano, McCann, Hendrie, Barry, Angel, Vassel.
Subs: Hitzlsperger, Postma, Berson, Cole, Davis.