Shaken, but Not Strirred

Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa embarked upon their home game with Fulham undefeated in eight matches and with only five goals conceded. Some 90 minutes later, they remained the only undefeated team in England, but it has to be acknowledged that after a bright, confident opening flourish they looked flat, uninspired and largely unfulfilled. The solitary goal that earned them a 1-1 draw came courtesy of a penalty generously awarded by referee Chris Foy and efficiently converted by Gareth Barry. And apart from that, they looked dangerous only from two free kicks – Petrov’s in the 7th minute, from which Ridgewell should have scored, and Barry’s wicked inswinger in the 54th minute, which somehow eluded absolutely everyone.

As they contemplate their next Premiership game at Anfield, draw experts Villa will know that there is significant room for improvement.