Villa leapfrog Arsenal into Champions League position

December 30, 2008

HULL, England (AFP) – Aston Villa leapfrogged Arsenal into the last Champions League placing here on Tuesday as an own-goal by Kamil Zayatte gifted them a 1-0 victory over Hull City in the last Premier League match of the year.

Zayatte turned his attempted clearance from Ashley Youngs cross past goalkeeper Boaz Myhill to extend Villa unbeaten sequence to eight while Hull must be staring anxiously at the bottom three as they have only won once in their last 11 games.

They looked to be on course to salvage a point in time added on when referee Steve Bennett awarded them a penalty for handball but after consulting with a linesman he correctly rescinded his decision as former Real Madrid target Young had not handled the ball, though he did raise his arm as the ball went over the bar.

Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry praised Bennett after the match.

"That sort of decision doesnt happen too often," said Barry.

"The referee deserves a lot of credit for changing his mind."

Young said that his attempt to save the ball had been instinctive.

"I was on the post and it was a reflex reaction. It hit the bar and it went over.

"Its a good feeling to be up there above Arsenal and level on points with Manchester United."

Barry, though, was relieved to have got the three points which for long periods of the game didnt seem likely.

"It was a very tough game," said Barry, who was pursued by Arsenal in the summer but eventually opted to stay at Villa.

"They (Hull) bounced back from two heavy defeats (4-1 to Sunderland and then 5-1 to Manchester City) and didnt allow the game to get too stretched which is what they prefer."

Hulls veteran former England striker Nicky Barmby thought he might have got the opener early in the first-half but Bennett adjudged correctly that he had barged Villa keeper Brad Friedel – who was making his 172nd successive Premier League appearance – before stabbing the ball home.

Indeed despite Villa playing the most creative football it was Hull that were slightly more effective in the danger areas and it took a desperate headed clearance by Curtis Davies 10 minutes from the break to stop Hull capitalising on a fine move.

The second-half was a similar period to the first where Villa played the pretty football but were unable to impose themselves as Hulls players stopped them every time they looked dangerous.

Written by: AFP

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