Based on the Villa's performance in the last 60 minutes I would say there's room for a fair amount of hope. I say that but it was not until Ashley Young came on to replace the injured Matty Cash at 27m did the Villa shown any kind of method. If anyone played a captain's part, he did, constantly seeking a constructive way out of defence and not doing badly in his defensive duties either.
Villa's fortune also seems to be blessed, just as it was against Arsenal early on in mid-week. Before Young's entry I would have expected City to have put two chances away with the calibre of players they have. However, none of their shots was on target during a period when Villa's response to City's constant attack was to get the ball upfield just in the hope that some Villa player would latch onto it. But if Villa did "latch onto it" it was a very rare moment indeed during that period.
Villa kicked off with a side that looked set up to try to snatch a draw, but early on it did not look as though that was on. By half-time, though, I was actually beginning to warm to the idea of getting a draw following Villa's better (but still spasmodic) method in the last 15 minutes of the half. Then... On 50m de Bruyne somehow got a sublime cross over to Haaland and Villa were behind.
De Bruyne had three Villa defenders to get his centre past on his side of the pitch, not counting the centre-back who should have been close to Haaland in the centre, one Ezri Konsa. Although Martinez seemed to be wrongly positioned, the goal was a superb piece of movement.
"Will there now be an avalanche of goals from them?", I thought.
Well, no. Indeed, 25 minutes later, the Villa constructed their best move of the match via Ramsey, who beautifully switched the ball to Bailey across the penalty area and - wham! The equaliser was beautifully struck and placed.
That goal was good for the Villa fans, the Club and especially for Bailey. His first league goal for a year, and one that was a trademark of his undoubted talent. More please!
Well, what to make of it? While I am partially relieved, Gerrard seems to like getting a chance to organise a good performance when it comes to playing the top teams. Next week, however, we go to lowly Leicester. That - in my opinion - will be the next real test for they want to get points and rise from the bottom. It's an opportunity for the Villa to show that today's result was not a fluke by getting a good win.
UTV!
PS The Coutinho 'goal' was not disallowed in reality as the whistle had been blown before Phil had kicked the ball goalwards. The officials, however, seem to agree that they should not have called an offside.
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