A very bright morning greeted the players and MaD’s (not WaG’s) at the Black Bull.
Unknown to us at the time but Villa’s bright start would transfer to the pitch. Tom M wore the captain’s arm band and a change of team positions saw Alex playing as a sweeper.

1st Half
Villa took the game to Rovers from the whistle. Pushing forward with strength it took only 4 mins to win the first corner of the game. Rovers gathered it well. From the keeper’s kick Sam took the ball with his head, lost it, won it back and ran on to score. 0-1. 5mins.
It had been a very long time since Villa had taken a lead and the boys lost slight concentration as Rovers pushed them back for the first time in the game. This pressure resulted in a corner for them on 7mins. Following a confused minute or two as a throw in was awarded to Rovers, they scored a goal. 1-1. 11mins.
Villa kept their heads and continued to push on, Alex sitting just behind Kyle, Danny & Tom G allowed them to fill the midfield and support Jamie G & Tom M. This stopped the through ball that has been so devastating to Villa through the season. From this platform they built some great passing moves and runs and as Sam’s shot came off a defender they won a third corner, on 15mins. Jamie G took an in swinger to the near post and this bounced off the keeper and went in. 1-2. 15mins.
Villa kept the pressure up and both forwards spread the ball out to a waiting Liam & Jamie A on the wings to great effect. This kept the game long and on a relatively small pitch it gave the boys time to keep structure and play on the front foot. It seemed almost inevitable, and it was justice for team‘s hard work, hen Sam broke through again to score on the death of half time. 1-3. 30mins.

Half Time. 1-3.
The management simply asked for more of the same. Great tackling, great delivery, great running and great attitude. No changes were made (just as well as we had no subs) but who would have changed that team?

2nd Half
The Villa started the half much the same as the first, winning a corner on 3mins they kept up the pace and fought for the ball, not least Smithy who dropped back time and again to win the ball and support Liam on the right. Despite the changes by the Rovers who were now sporting almost 6 at the back Villa kept on trying. Shots skimmed the posts. Will wasn’t troubled at until 17mins when he made a crucial save to give Rovers a corner. The half continued to be a battle with Villa having the upper hand.
The whistle blew to end the game to a collective whisper of “at last”.

Full Time. 1-3
7 days & 3 hrs separated two teams, not Rovers & Villa but the Villa from last week and the Villa from this week. What a brilliant effort from every single player. Rovers will go home tonight and wonder how the team with no points and 9 losses could play like that …we’ve known all along, the next one won’t be easy now the words out.
Well done Villa.
 

Discuss this game in the Villa Room!!