The late nature of the post following the Aston Villas game show you how far behind I am at the moment, with other commitments I didn’t really feel the urge to comment on this game. However nine days on I felt that it ought to have something one our site.
So we have never lost a game at Villa Park since our rise to the Premier League, and for the most part I didn’t think that the record would continue this year. However I was very miss placed in my confidence and really it was another game to wonder why we didn’t get three points, than to hang our heads in shame. The recently resurged Villa were looking to put the early season woes behind them, even without manager Gerard Houllier, which we all wish the best of health too.
So the game started well for Latics, and we looked the more dominate side from the first kick. And within side 10 minutes that dominance came to the fold, when Moses picked up the ball riding past two challenges, before slotting the ball through to N’Zogbia. Who scored his third goal in four games; the French man was coming into form at the right time.
But yet again sloppy defending would cost us a point. Six minutes after going in front a free kick was given away outside the box. Ashley Young stepped up and smashed the ball past Ali. The Omanian really should have got down to and made the save, but it was only his second mistake of the season, so I think we will let him off.
The game seemed to come to a balance neither team really managed to test the others keeper. However the sudden rush of blood to the normally tame Emile Heskey, brought life to the game. The striker was complaining about Alcraz’s marking of him to the reefer, before charging the official. Going in players had to keep Heskey away by restraining him.
The following second half was a very normal affair, filled with if’s and but’s. Had Cleverly managed to hit it on target. Maybe if it was Bent’s day. However it was to be none, and the game continued and finished as 1-1.
As it turned out it was a very good point. But at the time it felt like another wasted opportunity to gain three points. This season we have drawn a total of 15 games, which is joint top with Birmingham, Liverpool and Everton. Had we won seven of those games, we would now sit on 53 points and be in seven place. Had we lost those seven games, we would have been relegated last weekend. It shows you how little there is between teams, and how close we have been to sitting comfortably in mid table.