There have been two teams in particular that have been oozing class on their own ground this season and I am sure there were some palpitations amongst the Villa supporters before the 'Pool match as to how many Villa were going to lose by.
But straight from the 'off'', the Villans went at them and did not let them get into their stride. Villa showed attacking menace, but my thought was that 'Pool would ride this upstart's early pretensions and get into their game. Not a bit of it. Villa could easily have been going in at the interval 3-0 up instead of 2-1.
Yes, a careful sub by 'Pool in their midfield caused the second half to be a different matter, but it was also partly due to the fact that the speedy Gabby had to go off. He had been causing 'Pool all kinds of problems and had provided two skillful assists for Villa's two goals. And, later on, after a disputed 'Pool penalty, Villa were able to show they were well worth the point they came away with.
This was Villa's best footballing performance of the season, no doubt. It was helped by the fact that there were no major injuries to interfere with team selection apart from that to Okore, which has been long term. Also, a very useful left-back has arrived and straight away fitted in and prompted the midfield. What a difference that made to have someone reliable in the LB department.
So this Jeckyll and Hyde that is Aston Villa continues to mystify us. For so long they have been a subject of derision from their own fans and then they go to Anfield and produce a performance like this.
But Villa supporters are not to be fooled. Nothing less than a win over the Baggies at home in the upcoming fixture will satiate their desires. A one-off at 'Pool (if that is what it is) will not be good enough. Villa have to maintain this level of performance for the rest of the season - but particularly at home, where results and lack of goals has been the source of huge disappointment.
But straight from the 'off'', the Villans went at them and did not let them get into their stride. Villa showed attacking menace, but my thought was that 'Pool would ride this upstart's early pretensions and get into their game. Not a bit of it. Villa could easily have been going in at the interval 3-0 up instead of 2-1.
Yes, a careful sub by 'Pool in their midfield caused the second half to be a different matter, but it was also partly due to the fact that the speedy Gabby had to go off. He had been causing 'Pool all kinds of problems and had provided two skillful assists for Villa's two goals. And, later on, after a disputed 'Pool penalty, Villa were able to show they were well worth the point they came away with.
This was Villa's best footballing performance of the season, no doubt. It was helped by the fact that there were no major injuries to interfere with team selection apart from that to Okore, which has been long term. Also, a very useful left-back has arrived and straight away fitted in and prompted the midfield. What a difference that made to have someone reliable in the LB department.
So this Jeckyll and Hyde that is Aston Villa continues to mystify us. For so long they have been a subject of derision from their own fans and then they go to Anfield and produce a performance like this.
But Villa supporters are not to be fooled. Nothing less than a win over the Baggies at home in the upcoming fixture will satiate their desires. A one-off at 'Pool (if that is what it is) will not be good enough. Villa have to maintain this level of performance for the rest of the season - but particularly at home, where results and lack of goals has been the source of huge disappointment.
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