VILLA DENIED BY SUPER-SUB KEANE

By Ryan Ghee
September 18 2005

Aston Villa answered their critics with a much-improved display against Tottenham Hotspur and were unlucky to claim only one point from a match which they largely dominated.

James Milner got his home debut off to a perfect start as he handed Villa the lead just four minutes into the match. Milan Baros did well to pick out Milner 25-yards from goal and the England under 21 international finished the move with a powerful drive past Paul Robinson in the Spurs goal.

Milan Baros could have doubled the lead after only six minutes but his tame shot failed to trouble trouble Robinson and only two minutes later, Patrik Berger was also denied by the England number 1.

Tainio should have scored an equaliser for the visitors 20 minutes into the match but he fired his shot over the bar from only six-yards out.

Tottenham then started to make a few more chances of their own and they were awarded a penalty after 27 minutes when Wilfred Bouma needlessly handled the ball in the area. However, Thomas Sorenson produced a brilliant save from Defoe's spot-kick and Villa managed to scramble the ball to safety.

Juan Pablo Angel had two great chances to double Villa's advantage before the break but Paul Robinson continued his heroics in goal and The Villans went in at half-time with a one goal advantage.

The home side started the second half in the same way as they finished the first with Berger and Baros linking up well before Naybet cleared the danger from the inside his own box.

Liam Ridgewell almost scored a second for Villa on the hour mark after a clever free-kick from Berger. The centre-back got a solid contact on the ball but his volley hit the underside of the bar before bouncing to safety.

Immediately after, Tottenham raced to the other end of the field and Jermaine Defoe suffered the same fate as his powerful effort cam flying back off the Villa crossbar.

Milan Baros had the perfect opportunity to wrap the game up for Villa after 70 minutes but he slid the ball wide when he was one-on-one with the Tottenham keeper.

Baros' miss proved to very costly as Spurs substitute Robbie Keane showed great footwork before firing the ball past Sorensen with just 12 minutes remaining.

Both sides pushed forward in the closing minutes but neither could find a winning goal and the teams left the field with an equal share of the spoils.