Ten-goal thriller gets Villa to Wembley

January 21, 2010

Aston Villa booked their first Wembley final appearance in a decade after a 6-4 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final here on Wednesday.

Victory at Villa Park saw Martin O’Neill’s men win the tie 7-4 on aggregate and they will now face either Manchester City or Manchester United in the final.

But his pre-match claim that this was the best Villa team their supporters had seen in 20 years looked hollow as a double from Nikola Kalinic put fellow Premier League side Rovers 2-0 up.

But the way in which Villa fought back and then just about held their nerve at the end of this extraordinary match left O’Neill proud of the character his youthful side had shown.

“I’m just really pleased for the team, which I know is a cliched old phrase, but I’m really delighted for them,” O’Neill said.

“They’ve had to fight back, whilst the crowd were obviously getting very anxious and frustrated, and they grew up tonight.”

Meanwhile Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce bemoaned what he said was referee Martin Atkinson’s failure to spot a shove from Gabriel Agbonlahor on captain Ryan Nelsen that allowed Rovers old boy Stephen Warnock to make it 2-1.

“It’s a bit difficult to take, scoring four goals and not getting through to the final,” Allardyce said.

“We were in complete control of the game, and if anybody is going to score to make it 3-0 it’s us.

“But then the referee allows a blatant foul on Ryan Nelsen to go unpunished, and at this level you have to make sure the referee gets those decisions right.

“We are out of a cup final because of that decision perhaps.”

Villa endured a dreadful opening 25 minutes as they squandered the first leg advantage James Milner had given them in a 1-0 win at Ewood Park before the tie swung in their favour with the sending off of Rovers’ Christopher Samba five minutes before half-time.

Milner converted the penalty, which resulted from Samba’s foul in bringing down Agbonlahor, who later diverted in his team-mate’s shot for Villa’s fourth goal of the game.

But Blackburn continued to push Villa all the way, even a man down.

After Kalinic’s double, Stephen Warnock converted at the far post, following Ashley Young’s cross, to put Villa back into the tie and make amends for his earlier error that gave Rovers such an emphatic start.

Warnock was at fault at the far post, failing to challenge Croatia’s Kalinic for David Dunn’s corner under the crossbar and the Rovers striker’s header struck Warnock on the head before beating American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Villa were two down before the half hour mark when Kalinic started the move, which resulted in him tapping home the rebound after Martin Olsson’s header from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross had been half saved by Guzan.

Villa simply could not get to grips with Rovers’ five-man midfield, but that all changed when Samba was shown a straight red card for his trip on Agbonlahor as the pair chased Emile Heskey’s through ball.

Milner beat Paul Robinson from the spot before an own goal from Steven Nzonzi and further goals from Agbonlahor and Heskey left Villa with a seemingly comfortable lead.

At that point they could be forgiven for turning their thoughts to whether they played Manchester United or Manchester City, but at least Rovers demonstrated some character of their own to push Villa close.

Olsson produced a stunning volley from Gael Givet’s cross to reduce the deficit and when Brett Emerton’s volley from the edge of the area forced its way through a crowded penalty area, there were some nervous moments for Villa to endure.

But Ashley Young rounded off the evening with a wonderful solo effort, running from half way to beat Robinson with a curling shot.

BIRMINGHAM (AFP)

Tags: aston villa, Birmingham, brad guzan, captain ryan, captain Ryan Nelsen, complete control, croatia, Emile Heskey, Ewood Park, five minutes, gabriel agbonlahor, James Milner, manchester city, martin atkinson, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, Neill, Nikola Kalinic, paul robinson, premier league, referee, ryan nelsen, Sam, sam allardyce, samba, stephen warnock, United, villa park, Wembley, youthful side

Montero, Thornton win MLS honors

November 11, 2009

American goalkeeper Zach Thornton and Colombian forward Fredy Montero claimed Major League Soccer season awards on Tuesday, just days after their teams were ousted from the title chase.

Seattle Sounders striker Montero took MLS Newcomer of the Year honors while 36-year-old Thornton of Chivas USA captured the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award to join his MLS Goalkeeper of the Year trophy.

Montero, 22, led the first-year club in scoring with 12 goals, four of them game winners. He joined the Sounders after four seasons with Deportivo Cali in his homeland, including a season on loan to Atletico Huila.

Thornton, in his first full season as a starter since 2006, led Chivas to a mark of 13-11 with six drawn, posting a career-best 12 shutouts with a 0.87 goals-against average, the second best in MLS history.

After eight seasons as a starter for Chicago, Thornton was demoted to a reserve role in 2007 at Colorado and a bench-warmer last year at New York before a late-season trade to Chivas after Brad Guzan left for Aston Villa.

This year, Thornton led Chivas into the MLS playoffs for a fourth season in a row but the club was ousted by its city rival, the Los Angeles Galaxy, in the opening round.

The Galaxy will play host to Houston, which ousted Seattle in another first-round meeting, on Friday with the winner to face either Chicago or Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final.

Players, coaches, general managers and media all voted upon the awards.

NEW YORK (AFP)

Tags: american goalkeeper, aston villa, brad guzan, Cali, Chicago, chivas usa, Colorado, comeback player, eight seasons, fredy, game winners, general managers, goals against average, Houston, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, Major League Soccer, mls cup, mls playoffs, montero, New York, Real, real salt lake, season awards, title chase, zach thornton

Rapid sink Villa in Europa League qualifier

August 21, 2009

Nikica Jelavic headed home just seconds after kick-off at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium to secure a victory for Austrian side Rapid Vienna, in a deserved win for their dominance in the rest of the game.

Christopher Drazan was a constant threat for Rapid and had one good shot cleared off the line by Curtis Davies while Brad Guzan saved another.

Villa’s best moments came in the second half but Davies headed over from one clear-cut opportunity and the visitors failed to seriously test opposing goalkeeper Helge Payer.

Guzan was given a rare start in the Villa goal in one of four changes made by manager Martin O’Neill following last weekend’s defeat by Wigan.

But the first job of the American, replacing his rested compatriot Brad Friedel, was to pick the ball out of the net after Rapid made the perfect start.

Only seconds had gone when the ball was worked out to the dangerous Drazan on the left and he whipped in a curling cross for Jelavic to head home.

Villa responded with Craig Gardner firing over while an Ashley Young cross was unconventionally punched clear by Payer.

James Milner was one of Villa’s livelier players but he also saw a cross dealt with by Payer.

Rapid continued to look dangerous in possession and Drazan broke clear down the left again only to deliver a poor ball into the box.

Stefan Hoffmann also tested Guzan with a long-range shot but the keeper was equal to the task. Hoffmann then felt he was impeded by Steve Sidwell on the edge of the box but the referee was not interested.

Nicky Shorey created another opportunity for Villa when he beat three men to get in a cross but Rapid cleared and Emile Heskey headed wide from a Milner cross just before the interval.

Villa made an encouraging start to the second half and the introduction of Gabriel Agbonlahor for Gardner added pace but still the visitors struggled to test Payer.

Young’s curling free-kick was tipped away for a corner by Payer but replays showed it would have dipped over anyway.

Shorey was given a shooting chance from the resulting corner but fired into the side-netting.

Young created Villa’s best opportunity with a brilliant turn and cross just after the hour but Davies was unable to keep his header down.

Milner and Young then combined at a free-kick but the winger’s shot was just off target.

Despite Villa’s increased urgency, Rapid were still a threat and the visitors were almost caught twice by Drazan in a matter of moments with 20 minutes remaining.

Drazan first showed great control on the edge of the area before testing Guzan with a ferocious shot.

Substitute Christopher Trimmel then weaved his way into the area past Shorey and Yasin Pehlivan set up Drazan but Davies cleared off the line.

Villa finished strongly but Milner could not make the most of Young’s cross and Sidwell shot straight at Payer.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: ashley, brad friedel, brad guzan, Christopher Drazan, Christopher Trimmel, compatriot, craig gardner, Curtis Davies, dominance, Emile Heskey, first job, free kick, gabriel agbonlahor, Gerhard Hanappi, Helge, hoffmann, interval, James Milner, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, rapid vienna, referee, replays, second half, Stefan Hoffmann, Steve Sidwell, three men, Vienna, Wigan, Yasin Pehlivan

Spanish giant-killers in US squad to face Mexico

August 8, 2009

Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard were among 17 players from the US squad that upset top-ranked Spain at the Confederations Cup to be named Friday for a key World Cup 2010 qualifier next week at Mexico.

The Americans stunned the Spaniards in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup and led Brazil at half-time in the final only to lose the championship match.

But they served notice they could again be a factor in the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.

Dempsey scored three times in the Confederations Cup while Howard, unbeaten in five matches against Mexico, was named the top goalkeeper in the tournament.

Oguchi Onyewu, whose stellar defensive work inspired a transfer to AC Milan, was also named to the 20-man US lineup for the CONCACAF showdown next Wednesday at Mexico City, where 100,000 supporters will bolster the host Tri-Colores.

American squads have never won in Mexico, losing 22 times and playing to a goalless draw in 1997.

“We are excited about the challenge and the opportunity,” said US coach Bob Bradley. “Mexico is a very good team, and we are all aware of their great success playing in Mexico City.

“Our team continually tries to raise the bar and certainly the chance to win for the first time in Mexico is a welcome opportunity.”

Costa Rica leads North American regional qualifying with 12 points to 10 for the US squad. Honduras is third with Mexico in fourth. Only the top three teams from the region are assured a berth in South Africa next year.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton/ENG)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes/FRA), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover/GER), Jay DeMerit (Watford/ENG), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan/ITA), Jonathan Spector (West Ham/ENG)

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/ENG), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus/DEN), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca/MEX)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal/ESP), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux/FRA), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

CHICAGO (AFP)

Tags: Aarhus, ac milan, agf aarhus, aston villa, Benny Feilhaber, bob bradley, borussia moenchengladbach, brad guzan, brian ching, carlos bocanegra, Casey, Chad, chad marshall, Charlie Davies, Chicago, chivas usa, Clint Dempsey, clint dempsey fulham, Colorado, Costa Rica, DEN, Francisco Torres, fulham, GER, Honduras, Houston, houston dynamo, Howard, jay demerit, jonathan bornstein, jonathan spector, landon donovan, Los Angeles, Mexico, mexico city, Milan, North American, Rennes, Ricardo Clark, South Africa, Spain, steve cherundolo, tim howard, Tri-Colores, world cup 2010, world cup finals

Aston Villa stun Juventus to win Peace Cup

August 3, 2009

Aston Villa overcame Italian giants Juventus to win the Peace Cup on penalties on Sunday after both sides had failed to score at the end of extra time.

The Italians, who beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Friday’s semi-final, put Martin O’Neill’s up-and-coming team under intense pressure in a fast-paced game, played in the southern Spanish city of Seville, in which both sides failed to convert a host of chances.

In the end, Carlos Cuellar scored for Villa while Nicola Legrottaglie missed the last spot-kick to give the English Premier League side a 4-3 win on penalties.

Villa keeper Brad Guzan stopped a lame shot from Italian legend Alessandro del Piero and also saved from Vincenzo Iaquinta while Steve Sidwell and Chris Herd failed to score their penalties for Villa.

The Premier League side were without England striker Emile Heskey who was suspended after picking up a red card in the 2-1 semi-final win over Porto.

Juve, who finished runners-up to Inter Milan in Serie A last season, started the game with veterans Del Piero and Fabio Cannavaro on the bench.

The teams were evenly matched in the first half.

Villa looked dangerous on the break, with Ashley Young and Norwegian John Carew forcing saves from Gianluigi Buffon, while Mauro Camoranesi looked impressive for Juventus.

The best chance came from 19-year-old Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton, who found space on the right in the 41st minute and hit a powerful low shot that was blocked by the Italian keeper.

Juventus stepped up the pace in the second half, but could not find a way past American keeper Guzan.

David Trezequet in particular missed what appeared to be an easy chance for Juventus when he blasted over the bar in the 63rd minute from close range.

The French international also had an overhead kick saved by Guzan in the first half of extra time.

Twelve clubs took part in the prestigious pre-season Peace Cup tournament.

The tournament began life in 2003 and FIFA recognised it as an international event in 2007, when it was won by French side Lyon.

This year is the first time it has been held outside of South Korea.

SEVILLE, Spain (AFP)

Tags: albrighton, Alessandro Del Piero, aston villa, brad guzan, david trezequet, English Premier League, fabio cannavaro, fast paced game, gianluigi buffon, inter milan, John Carew, madrid 2, martin o neill, Nicola Legrottaglie, overhead kick, peace cup, real madrid, southern spanish city, Steve Sidwell, striker emile heskey

Ten-man Villa reach Peace Cup final

August 1, 2009

English Premier League side Aston Villa reached the final of the Peace Cup on Friday with a 2-1 victory over Portuguese club Porto despite finishing with 10 men.

In Sunday’s final, Martin O’Neill’s English outfit will meet either Spanish giants Real Madrid or Italy’s Juventus, who meet in the other semi late on Friday.

England striker Emile Heskey opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a close-range shot from a cross by Marc Albrighton.

Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell doubled the tally in the 37th minute after he picked up the ball from a corner.

Porto brought on Brazilian Givanildo Vieira de Souza, nicknamed ‘The Hulk’, for the second half.

But he struggled to get past Villa’s American keeper Brad Guzan, until the last minute, when he scored from a penalty.

Heskey was sent off in the 69th minute after he reacted in a melee after Ashley Young was fouled.

MALAGA, Spain (AFP)

Tags: albrighton, aston villa, brad guzan, CHELSEA, de souza, Emile Heskey, England, English Premier League, giants, hulk, Italy, juventus, MADRID, Malaga, Marc Albrighton, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, melee, PORTO, portuguese club, souza, Spain, Steve Sidwell, striker emile heskey

Feilhaber joins U.S. Gold Cup squad

July 8, 2009

WASHINGTON — The U.S. hero from the 2007 Gold Cup is back.

Midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who scored the winning goal against Mexico in front of a capacity crowd in Chicago to give the Americans a 2-1 victory two years ago, joined the U.S. squad in Washington on Sunday and was on the field at Monday’s training session.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley Bradley added Feilhaber, who plays for AGF Aarhus in the Danish Superliga, was one of the seven players he was allowed to supplement his roster with as a result of a CONCACAF provision that allows any team competing in the Confederations Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the same year to expand its Gold Cup roster to 30 players.

Forwards Jozy Altidore and Conor Casey, midfielders Ricardo Clark and Sacha Kljestan, defender Jonathan Bornstein and goalkeeper Brad Guzan may join later.

But just Feilhaber will be competing for a spot on the U.S. roster for Wednesday’s showdown with Honduras at RFK Stadium.

The Brazilian-born 24-year-old played in all five of the United States’ FIFA Confederations Cup games and started in the final against Brazil.

While Feilhaber trained with the full team, central defender Clarence Goodson did not, suffering from a knee contusion and is listed as day-to-day.

The United States is coming off a 4-0 rout of Grenada in its opening game of the Gold Cup on Saturday and sits atop Group B on goal difference after Honduras defeated Haiti 1-0, also at Qwest Field.

The winner of Wednesday’s clash of CONCACAF giants will certainly help shape Group B.

“Honduras is still a good team and there’s a few guys that we know from previous games there are players that were part of Olympic qualifying,” Bradley said. “So in that respect, [there is] still talent and in our group this is now an important game in terms of establishing who is going to finish first.”

By Dylan Butler

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Tags: Aarhus, agf aarhus, Benny Feilhaber, bob bradley, brad guzan, Bradley, brazil, capacity crowd, Casey, central defender, clarence goodson, coach bob, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, conor casey, cup games, Dylan Butler, fifa confederations cup, grenada, Haiti, Honduras, jonathan bornstein, knee contusion, Mexico, rfk stadium, Ricardo Clark, S. Gold, sacha kljestan, shape group, u s gold, U.S., United States, Washington

US seeks third-straight Gold Cup crown

July 4, 2009

SEATTLE, Washington (AFP) – The United States, fresh off a runner-up showing in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, will take an expanded roster into their first game of the CONCACAF Golf Cup on Saturday.

The US opens defence of the Gold Cup title begins with a game against Granada on Saturday at Qwest Field.

They will also face Honduras on July 8 and Haiti on July 11 in Washington, D.C. and Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Head coach Bob Bradley named his 23-man roster June 25 but that has since been expanded to 30 players.

The roster include a mix of Confederations Cup team members and players from North America’s Major League Soccer.

Brian Ching and Michael Parkhurst are included this year and were also on the team that won the 2007 Gold Cup title.

The American are trying to become the second team to win three-straight Gold Cups. The last team to do it was Mexico which won three straight in the 1990s.

The US has won three of the last four events and four times since the tournament began in 1991.

Bradley is being permitted to carry an extra seven players this year because of the closeness of the Confederations Cup and Gold Cup tournaments.

The seven includes forwards Jozy Altidore and Conor Casey, midfielders Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber and Sacha Kljestan, defender Jonathan Bornstein and goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Tags: 2009 fifa confederations cup, Benny Feilhaber, bob bradley, brad guzan, brian ching, Casey, conor casey, D.C., FIFA, first game, Foxborough, foxborough massachusetts, gold cup, gold cups, Haiti, head coach bob, Honduras, jonathan bornstein, Major League Soccer, man roster, Massachusetts, Mexico, michael parkhurst, midfielders, MLS, North America, Ricardo Clark, sacha kljestan, Seattle, seattle washington, U.S., United States, Washington

Altidore among seven added to U.S. squad

July 2, 2009

SEATTLE – Jozy Altidore, whose first-half goal helped spark the United States past Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, was among seven players added to the U.S. roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Thursday.

Coach Bob Bradley augmented his roster two days after CONCACAF announced a provision that allows any team competing in the Confederations Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the same year to expand its Gold Cup roster from 23 to 30 players.

The United States played two World Cup qualifiers in four days to start June, then traveled to the Confederations Cup in South Africa where it played five more games including the title match against Brazil, losing 3-2 on Sunday in its first FIFA tournament final.

“Due to our involvement in the Confederations Cup, CONCACAF decided to expand our eligible pool of players for the Gold Cup,” Bradley said. “At times during the tournament, we may integrate these seven players with our core roster that was announced last week.”

Altidore was joined by Confederations Cup teammates and fellow forward Conor Casey, midfielders Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber and Sacha Kljestan, defender Jonathan Bornstein and goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

They will all be available for selection, but the U.S. will not have all seven players present for each Gold Cup match. The exact schedule for these players will be announced as it becomes available.

They join four other players: Freddy Adu, Charlie Davies, Heath Pearce and Luis Robles, who already were carried over from the Confederations Cup.

All teams still will be limited to 18 players for any one match.

The U.S. is seeking to join Mexico as the only teams to win three consecutive Gold Cup titles. The team began gathering in Seattle on Tuesday and will open group play against Grenada on July 4 at Qwest Field, the second game of a doubleheader following Honduras vs. Haiti.

By Dylan Butler

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Tags: Benny Feilhaber, brad guzan, coach bob, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, confederations cup, cup titles, doubleheader, exact schedule, freddy adu, group play, heath pearce, jonathan bornstein, jozy altidore, Luis Robles, midfielders, Ricardo Clark, sacha kljestan, second game, world cup qualifiers

USA size up Spain ahead of Confed Cup semi

June 24, 2009

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) – The United States are upbeat that they can pull off a major shock and defeat European champions Spain to move into the Confederations Cup final.

Coach Bob Bradley is realistic enough to know his team face an uphill battle against a side unbeaten since November 2006, but has belief in his players ahead of their semi-final here on Wednesday.

“We’re excited, the team is on a high,” he said.

“We understand the challenge of playing Spain. From a technical standpoint, they are so proficient. But it is a chance for us to test ourselves and perhaps get to the final.”

If the United States do the unthinkable and win, it will go down as one of the most important victories in American football history.

Bradley knows the stakes are high.

“If we are able to win it will be so important. Right from the start we have talked about growing and shooting higher and now we have an opportunity to get to the final,” he said.

“It is the right kind of experience that we need and all we can do is go for it and hope that our best can take us to a new level.”

The United States are unexpected semi-finalists after beating Egypt 3-0 on Sunday while Italy lost by the same margin to Brazil. It allowed Bradley’s team to stay in the tournament on goals scored after finishing level with the Azzurri on goal difference.

They have no injury worries going into the game with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard set to start after Brad Guzan was given a chance against Egypt.

Their only concern is Rennes defender Carlos Bocanegra who has been carrying a hamstring injury but is now back training.

Bradley acknowledged the danger posed by Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and the ingenuity of Barcelona’s Xavi in midfield, and said his team must go out and play their own game.

“When playing a team like Spain we are challenged to be good on the ball, and we have to put their defenders under pressure and create chances,” he said.

“It will take a good game plan but also full commitment from the players.”

Landon Donovan, David Beckham’s teammate at LA Galaxy and the United States’ all-time top scorer, said the team had the ability to give Spain a run for their money.

“Considering they haven’t lost in a very long time against quality opponents, the challenge is very difficult,” said Donovan, who will captain the team if Bocanegra fails to recover.

“However, we believe in ourselves and if we play well then we have a chance to win the game. That’s our intention and we’ll go out with a good game plan and try to get the job done.”