Fluctuating form in recent outings meant that there was more than a little trepidation in the ranks of the Villa followers at the prospect of playing host to table topping local rivals Charnock Richard.  And when the visitors were gifted two gilt edged chances inside the opening two minutes, it looked like such negative preconceptions might not be misplaced.  However, the nervous uncertainty which prevailed last time out seemed to be dispelled by the early scare, and Pavel Zverina’s first goal for the First xi was enough to secure the points for the home side, and give renewed hope to those still in touch at the top.  

Charnock stated their intent right from the off, and Ross Baxter found himself having to pull out a strong wristed save to deny Damian Dashti from opening the scoring inside ten seconds. Less than a minute later Dashti was again in pole position to grab the early advantage when the Villa defence had been caught out flat footed, but the gift was spurned and the Villa goal survived.

The wake-up call had the dual effect of stinging the home side into action, whilst the let-off perversely seemed to calm the early nerves. For the remainder of the half, play was fairly well balanced, with both sides having their share of possession, but half time came without either keeper having been subjected to any further examination.

Both managers made early changes to personnel in the second half, as the surface grew ever heavier, and the switch seemed to favour Villa more than their opponents.  Just after the hour, Matt Atherton worked a neat opening for himself, and rasped a stunning shot off the underside of the crossbar, and Pavel Zverina was not quite able to stretch for the rebound.  Three minutes later it was Charnock’s turn to rattle the woodwork from a well-worked short corner.

Gradually the pendulum of territorial advantage began to swing perceptibly in favour of the visitors, and they nearly capitalised with a quarter of an hour to go with another shot which this time came back off the post, and although the rebound was prodded into the net, it was clearly from an off side position.

Down the other end, Baldwin came racing from goal to deal with a through ball, but in so doing collided with his full-back, and Zverina almost benefited form the mix up but was hampered in the process and his flick toward the empty net lacked the required legs.

But then, a minute later, Atherton forged himself another opening on the edge of the box, and, looking up, placed an inch perfect cross onto the head of Zverina, who was able to impart sufficient power with the neck muscles to give Baldwin no chance. A notable strike from which Villa gained the confidence to go on to close out a hard earned victory.

To paraphrase the late Mr Wilson, a week is a long time in football, and the stuttering and pusillanimous display of last week was quickly forgotten on the end of a performance, which , although in truth not the lads best ever, was characterised by team spirit and working hard for each other.

Villa Line-up: Baxter, C>Chambers, Dickinson, L.Chambers, Bolton, Woodman (Kirkpatrick 50), Bingham, Cooper (M.Clitheroe 81), Atherton, Dunn, Zverina (O’Neil 77)