Villa Reserves v Wolves Match Report

randy.stand has done us a reserves match report.

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Aston Villa vs. Wolves

Villa: Guzan, Berry, Lichaj, Cuellar, Lowry, Bannan, Sidwell, Hogg, Salifou, Burke, Delfouneso

Wolves: Hennessey, Landell, Elokobi, Batth, Mouyokolo, Van Damme, Mujangi, Milijas, Ebanks-Blake, Bent, Hunt.

Villa and Wolves both fielded strong sides for this Reserve tie. Guzan, Cuellar, Bannan, Sidwell and Delfouneso all getting run outs for Villa while Wolves named a fair few first teamers in their side. Wolves started the better side and had good chances through Bent and Milijas.

Mouyokolo came close to scoring when he met a cross from Milijas but his header trickled past the post. Wolves then made their breakthrough. Milijas swinged a corner in to the near post, Guzan slipped and Elokobi headed home. Poor goalkeeping by Guzan, something bound to unimpressed watching managed, Gerard Houllier.

Bannan came closest for Villa when his long range shot was comfortably saved by Hennessey. Salifou was impressing and had a decent long range drive stopped by the goalkeeper. Bannan then had another long range drive, this time just going past Hennessey's goal. Very close to the equalizer. Wolves led at half time, 1-0.

Villa started the second half well, piling the pressure on Wolves. Steve Sidwell was played through, he crossed the ball low and Graham Burke arrived to level for Villa. Good goal, 1-1. Lichaj then won possession, threaded through for Steve Sidwell, one on one but the former Chelsea midfielder couldn't convert, poor finish from Sidwell. Courtney Cameron, a Villa sub then made a terrific run down the right.

He squared to Delfouneso, the ball broke free for Hogg who rounded the keeper and played it back to Delfouneso who hammered the ball home, delightful move and a great goal. 2-1 Villa. Then in under a minute Villa had a third. Delfouneso jinked his way inside from the left wing and rifled a left foot shot into the top corner. 3-1. The game petered out until stoppage time.

Wolves had a corner, swung it in and Elokobi poked home, once again Brad Guzan was nowhere near. Villa suffered a real scare a minute later, another corner from Milijas and Guzan parried from a header and the ball was scrambled before the lurking Elokobi got his chance. Villa eventually saw it through after a terrific second half showing and it's a good three points for Kevin MacDonalds side.

Here's my ratings:

Guzan- 5: Didn't have much to do but let in two horrible goals.

Berry- 7: Was bright, got down the wing well and delivered good crosses.

Lichaj- 7: Was very solid. Got forward well.

Sidwell- 6: Disappointing really. Should have scored a chance. Had a hand in the goal.

Cuellar- 8: Very assured display from the Spaniard.

Lowry- 7: Solid

Salifou- 9: Controlled things in the centre.

Hogg- 8: Got stuck in, played very well.

Delfouneso- 8: quiet first half but came to life in second half. Good goals.

Bannan- 9: Was everywhere. At heart of every good Villa attack.

Burke- 7: Good game on the wing and leveled for Villa.

Cameron- 7: Really made an impact as a sub, looks a good young lad.

Star Man: Barry Bannan.

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