FA BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2005
ASTON VILLA 1 (1) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (0)
Villa scorer:-
Milner, 4
Spurs scorer:-
Keane, 78
Attendance: - 33,686
Referee: - Mr. S. Bennett
Teams:-
Villa (4-4-2):- Sorensen; Hughes, Mellberg (Capt.), Ridgewell, Bouma (sub Samuel, 71); Milner, Davis, Barry, Berger; Baros, Angel
Subs not used: - Taylor; Cahill; Hendrie; Phillips
Booked: - Baros
Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson; Stalteri, King (Capt.), Gardner (sub Naybet, 38), Lee; Tainio, Jenas, Carrick, Reid (sub Keane, 66); Rasiak, Defoe
Subs not used: - Cerny; Brown, Lennon
Booked: - King, Naybet
According to the Spurs (((Mobile))) information service, a little bit of history was created yesterday, as Spurs fielded a starting line-up of 11 Full Internationals for the first time. I find this statistic somewhat surprising, considering the past glories of our club, but accept it as a sign of our progressing status in the Premiership.
Having said that, the Spurs team were forced to suffer the backlash from Villa’s Monday night thrashing at the hands of West Ham (who won again yesterday), as a Villa onslaught in the early stages put the Spurs defence very much on the back foot, and a goal behind in only the fourth minute. Paul Robinson’s man of the match award was well deserved, as he had to make a number of very good saves, achieved not so much through spectacular goalkeeping, but great positioning and alertness.
Edgar Davids didn’t pass his late fitness test, allowing a return on the left for Andy Reid. Teemu Tainio also started, nominally on the right side, but of course playing Martin Jol’s “narrow way” and getting into central positions, and on one occasion an excellent goal-scoring position which should have been taken. A bit of magic from Robbie Keane gave Spurs a share of the spoils in the end, with which they must be satisfied, but Jermain Defoe lost brownie points (and Fantasy League points I fear) for hitting an easy penalty to Sorensen’s right, allowing the keeper to save.
Spurs had an early chance after a corner won by Lee was headed over by skipper Ledley King, but went behind in the fourth minute, after a mix-up between Carrick and Jenas near the half-way line. Jenas tried to pass sideways back to Carrick, but Baros picked up and raced down the left channel. Ledley left him a little too much room, and the recent signing from Liverpool picked out home debutant James Milner (on loan from Newcastle) to score with a great right foot finish from outside the box, beating Robinson to the keeper’s right. It could have been two within a minute, as Barry got between two Spurs players to feed Baros, who half-hit a shot from an angle, which was held by Robinson.
Spurs were suffering, and after 7 minutes, Milner got to the bye-line past Lee, crossing low across the 6 yard area, where Berger’s reaction shot was again saved by England’s number 1. It took nearly 15 minutes for Spurs to settle down. Jenas had taken up a position to the right of Carrick, and the pair still do not look comfortable together. Reid probed from deep after 13 minutes, and firstly Rasiak headed back to Defoe, who was blocked, then Reid found Tainio who also had a shot well blocked from the right of the box. Tainio was then a guilty party after Defoe won a battle with Ridgewell to win a Carrick long ball, crossing low from the left, when Tainio fired over from close range, when he should have burst the net in front of the away support. Tainio and Jenas did try to make amends by teeing up Defoe, whose shot went wide.
Ledley King got only his 5th career booking, simply for staying leech-like close to Baros. Whilst Baros later was booked for arguing outside his own area over a Spurs free kick, he might have already seen yellow for trying to rip off Gardner’s shirt. This was at a point where the Holte End started chanting “Same Old Cockneys – always cheating”, rather than accept the evidence before their eyes!
Referee Steve Bennett had no hesitation awarding Spurs a penalty mid-way through the half, when Bouma clearly handled the ball (upper part of his arm) in trying to clear from Defoe, who stepped up but scuffed his shot to Sorensen’s right, allowing that save. Martin Jol (and all Spurs fans!) want more goals from their midfield, and in the 35th minute, Tainio threaded a good ball to Jenas, who might have taken on the keeper, but instead turned the ball back, eventually reaching Carrick who hit a good shot to Sorensen’s right – again saved well.
Anthony Gardner pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury, and had to be replaced by Naybet. With Michael Dawson also out, the situation starts to look worrying for Spurs, but Tom Huddlestone is waiting in the wings for an opportunity on Tuesday at Grimsby. As the first half closed, it was Villa again who looked sharper, with Angel heading at the back post, thwarted by Robinson, and then Baros crossing from the right, leading to another Angel effort – this one a shot on the turn, into the arms of Paul Robinson. This last attack had followed Rasiak losing the ball near the half-way line, and the Pole had made little impression on the game, but did play a part in Spurs second-half attempts.
Defoe had a half-chance after 56 minutes, when Rasiak fell to the ground but still managed to lay the ball off for Jermain, whose right foot shot across the goal went wide. Around the hour mark, there was action at both ends, as Ridgewell got goal-side of the Spurs defence from a free kick and hit a first time shot that rebounded off the underside of the bar. Immediately Rasiak headed on Robinson’s clearance and Defoe’s left foot shot also hit the underside of Villa’s bar. Baros found Angel in space (left by Stalteri), but Angel fired over.
The Spurs fans were baying for Robbie Keane to get a chance, and they got their wish after 66 minutes, when Reid left and Jol deployed a 4-3-3, with Keane primarily playing behind the front two. Tainio now played on the left side of Carrick and Jenas. Keane nearly made an immediate impact as Rasiak headed on a Robinson free kick, and Robbie hit a great first time shot, saved by the keeper, then cleared for a corner.
Naybet got a booking for running into Baros as he advanced about 35 yards out, and from the free kick, Berger’s shot was deflected but no corner was given. Baros then got through the defence with a well-timed run, which Robinson covered in excellent fashion, giving the option to Baros to either round the keeper or shoot. Baros made the wrong choice and shot dismally wide. It was a real escape for Spurs, who then got the equaliser through a piece of Robbie Keane artistry. Robbie started and finished the move, as he was busy behind the attackers. Rasiak had again found Defoe, who was blocked but Keane raced into the area to seize upon the ball, and with two or three magical close touches made the tiniest bit of room for a rasping right foot shot that Sorensen was never going to stop. Keane went wild with a racing celebration back towards the half way line, with no cartwheels!
In those closing stages, Spurs looked more in control, but forged only one more chance as Defoe again made a Carrick ball, then made room on the left side of the box for a shot saved by Sorensen to complete a great afternoon for the keepers.
In the circumstances, Spurs will be grateful for the point, preserving their three-match unbeaten away record so far this season, but having failed to do what The Hammers did earlier this week by beating Villa, they really must emulate the Irons by beating Fulham a week on Monday in their next Premiership game. Before that comes a test against in-form Grimsby in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
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