Aston Villa vs Newcastle

[kennethlindheim]

Caretaker Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder will make a late decision on whether to hand midfielder Kieron Dyer a Barclays Premiership start at Aston Villa tomorrow.

The 27-year-old played a 60-minute practice match earlier this week and suffered no ill-effects, although he remains short of match fitness.

Defender Craig Moore returned from his hamstring injury for the reserves on Thursday night, but the game could come too soon for him, while Michael Owen (foot), Steven Taylor (shoulder) and Stephen Carr (hernia) are all still out and Amady Faye is yet to return from the African Nations Cup.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Ramage, Babayaro, Elliott, Bramble, Boumsong, Parker, Solano, Emre, Dyer, N’Zogbia, Luque, Clark, Bowyer, Brittain, O’Brien, Shearer, Ameobi, Chopra.

[kennethlindheim]

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 2

Temporary boss Glenn Roeder made it two wins in two games after a determined performance from United at Villa Park.

It was the first Premiership win on our travels without Michael Owen in the side and they were also our first away goals when Owen hasn't played.

Shola Ameobi and Charles N'Zogbia scored in the first half hour and although Luke Moore equalised for the home side, a second half penalty save from Shay Given gave us the maximum points.

We rode our luck at times with Celestine Babayaro sent off for conceding the penalty but the ten men held out and some resolute defending was rewarded.

Like last week we had the greater desire to win and the confidence is visibly returning to our side.

Under the circumstances a point would have been a great result, to win was a massive boost and sets us up for a run of four home games perfectly.

It took just 90 seconds for us to take the lead when Alan Shearer returned last week's favour by putting Ameobi through on goal, Shola finding the opposite corner of the goal at the Holte End with a low shot.

Villa were on terms a quarter of an hour later when Luke Moore was able to get in front of Titus Bramble to convert a near post header from a free-kick down the left touchline.

But the lead was regained after a flowing move and when Nobby Solano - booed by the home crowd - had his shot blocked N'Zogbia was on hand to make it 2-1.

Alan Shearer then had a volley cleared off the line and Ameobi nearly got his second as we finished an eventful first half strongly.

But it all looked to have come off the rails when Babayaro felled substitute Milan Baros in the box and referee Mike Riley pointed to the spot before showing Baba a red card. With Baros heading away from goal the decision looked harsh.

Baros's penalty was a poor one and Given was able to deflect the ball over the bar with his legs for his sixth non-shootout penalty save that we can recall (unless you know of any more).

It was all hands to the pumps as Robbie Elliott came on at left back for Solano who had covered at right back for Peter Ramage who had temporarily switched to the left.

Our much-maligned defence held firm and another tip-over from Shay and the crossbar kept out Villa who were mysteriously given four extra minutes to try and save the game.

There were some classic Shearer-in-the-corner cameos in the closing stages as he shielded the ball magnificently - we shall not see his like again....

Full away sections gave the team some tremendous backing throughout the game as we celebrated our sixth Premiership victory in thirteen visits to Villa Park.

We moved above the Villans into 14th but Fulham's goal difference - enormously helped by their 6-1 thrashing of West Brom - prevented us going up two places.

Team: Given, Ramage, Bramble, Boumsong, Babayaro, Solano (Elliott 66), Emre, Parker, N'Zogbia (Bowyer 85), Shearer, Ameobi (Dyer 69).
Subs n/u: Harper, Clark.

[PaKaTa]

Very good win , with good save for Shay
I`m happy

[kennethlindheim]

Great result, that is the 1st penalty that Given has saved in about 3 years! Sack Souey then we win two on the bounce.

[Pennywise]

Great and strong win against Aston Villa in Birmingham.

Mr.Souness out and suddenly we have to wins on row.

Haway the lads!