DAVIS GOAL EARNS VILLA VICTORY

By Ryan Ghee
February 12 2006

Aston Villa built on last weekend's much-needed win over Sunderland with a hard fought win against Alan Curbishley's Charlton Athletic who have now lost four games on the bounce.

The winner came mid-way through the second period as Northern Irish youngster Steven Davis found himself in the right place at the right time to drill the ball home after a manic goalmouth scramble.

In a match largely dominated by defensive tactics, the chances were few and far between as Charlton seemed content to play for a draw which would have ended their dismal record of late which consisted of three consecutive league defeats.

With the Addicks sitting back in the opening stages, Villa looked for an early opening as Gavin McCann saw his effort tipped around the post by Anderson in the Charlton goal.

Despite the positive start, the home side then let their foot off the gas and for large periods of the first half, the game was fought out in midfield with Charlton, inspired by the effective Matt Holland, winning the majority of the battles.

With their confidence growing, Charlton pushed forward and were very nearly rewarded when Ambrose's right-wing cross was sliced clear by Olof Mellberg who watched helplessly as the ball flew inches over his own crossbar.

With half time fast approaching, both teams searched for the vital breakthrough as Darren Bent flashed Charlton's best opportunity of the match wide of Sorensen's post and Baros was bravely denied by Anderson at the other end.

At the start of the second period, with the game still goalless, Villa restarted the match with only one intention: to secure an early second half lead. However, despite making the chances, the Villans couldn't break the deadlock as Baros and Phillips were continually denied by the Charlton back-line and Barry and Bouma wasted free kicks from promising positions.

Minutes later, Milan Baros was blatantly floored in the box by Charlton defender Hernan Hreidarsson but referee Mark Clattenburg somehow concluded that no offence had been committed and waved play on.

With the Villans sensing a weakness in the visiting defence, they desperately searched for a killer blow and their efforts were rewarded after 69 minutes as Steven Davis drilled the ball into the top corner from close range.

The Northern Ireland international was first to react as Baros' four-yard effort crashed back out off the crossbar and the youngster kept his cool and handed Villa a deserved lead.

With Villa showing the confidence that has been lacking in previous weeks, they continued to control proceedings and Charlton's only telling effort in the closing stages came immediately after the Davis goal as Murphy drilled his effort straight at Thomas Sorensen.

With the home crowd getting well and truly behind their claret and blue troops, O'Leary's men looked to kill off the game but Ridgewell failed to direct his 81st minute header and Czech international Milan Baros saw his effort well blocked by Chris Perry.

On the sound of the final whistle, the Villa players were greeted by rapturous applauds from the home fans; undoubtledly partly due to the relief that their so-far difficult season finally seems to be getting back on track.