( 1 ) ( 2 )
Shone ( pen )
M.Conway
Pillay

Report - Villa had effectively to win this game twice, they were pegged back from a two goal lead, before eventually making the game safe.

This was a highly charged match between two teams near the top of the table.
The home side were up for the game from the off, but it was Villa who created the early chances. On three minutes Sam Shone broke free on the left only to see his shot saved. Five minutes later Sean Parkin shot wide following a free kick. While the game was being fiercely contested it was Villa who looked the more dangerous.

On thirteen minutes they nearly made the breakthrough when following a free kick the ball was not properly cleared, Mick Bradshaw picked up the ball but his shot was saved. Five minutes later Villa did take the lead, this followed another free kick just outside the area, the ball into the box found Sam Shone who was fouled as he tried to turn. He took the resulting penalty kick giving the keeper no chance placing the ball in the top corner.

This lifted the visitors and John Winstanley caused the home defence problems with a dangerous cross from the right, then Rhenden Pillay broke down the left, cut inside and curled a shot just over the angle of post and crossbar. On twenty five minutes Villa increased their lead when good work by Sam Shone and Rhenden Pillay created an opening for Matt Conway who drove the ball into the roof of the net. At this point Villa eased up a little and on thirty two minutes paid the price as a ball into the box was not dealt with, and the home side pulled a goal back with a rising shot.

To their credit Villa responded well and went back onto the attack, in the last five minutes of the half they twice came close to increasing their lead, firstly Sean Parkin had a header tipped over the bar following a corner, then Rhenden Pillay came close with a low shot across the face of goal.

Euxton started the second half well and for the first ten minutes could have increased their lead as both John Winstanley and Sean Parkin came close.
From this point in the game Blackpool were having the better of the match, and were starting to put the Villa defence under pressure. On the hour they forced a number of corners, one of which forced Shaun Gibbs into a great save, tipping a fierce drive around the post.

The visitors tried to respond and a break from defence by Danny Brown created an opening for Mick Bradshaw who shot just over. Two minutes later Blackpool were level as a corner was not cleared and the ball was turned in at the far post.

All credit to the Villa defence as they tightened up, gradually forcing the home side back and allowing their attack to start creating chances again.
Rhenden Pillay shot into the side netting, then Rick Wood was unlucky with a shot over the bar. With nine minutes remaining Villa regained the lead as Sam Shone broke from midfield before releasing Rhenden Pillay who calmly beat the keeper with a low shot. From this point it was a case of what we have we hold, and Villa saw out the remaining time without too much trouble to secure the points.

Tam - Gibbs, C.Chambers, Brown, O'Loughlin, Crombie, Winstanley, ( Thompson ) Bradshaw, ( Wood ) M.Conway, Pillay, Parkin, ( Jakiemczuk ) Shone.