Martin O'Neill plots Chelsea's downfall
By Henry Winter
Sport.Telegraph, 3rd September 2007
Martin O'Neill is a dervish of the dug-out, a manager who kicks every ball
with his team, so it is little surprise to find him fashioning an Aston
Villa side very much in his own playing image. Belief, hard work and plenty
of width characterise O'Neill's Villa, who boast a touch more pace in their
busy feet.
Such uplifting qualities, and goals from Zat Knight and Gabriel Agbonlahor,
brought Villa their first success over a top-four side in three years,
sending Chelsea spiralling to their first Premier League defeat since
January.
The Holte End shouted themselves hoarse with delight at the embarrassment
befalling John Terry and Chelsea, who simply could not break down O'Neill's
magnificent defence even when the visitors switched to 3-2-5 late on. As
loud as they were long, the hosts' celebrations were thoroughly justified.
Villa's owner, Randy Lerner, sported a smile as broad as the Mississippi
as the Holte End's songs of praise rolled around this famous old ground.
Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, briefly held his head in his hands. The
Russian has not invested so heavily to be left so heavy-hearted, yet he still
went down to the dressing-room to console Terry and his vanquished colleagues.
An unexpected loss should not dampen Chelsea's fire. Jose Mourinho's side
were all at sea at times yesterday, but only a fool would scramble the
life-boats simply because Terry, Didier Drogba and company showed a rare
weakness at defending and attacking corners.
Clearly missing Frank Lampard's vibrant movement and shooting, and with
two new defenders in Juliano Belletti and Alex needing to learn the tricks
of Terry's trade, Chelsea will be stronger next time out. In a Premier
League race of welcome openness, Chelsea will not be the only ones to slip
up on occasion.
If only Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Essien impressed for the visitors,
Villa were blessed with good individual displays all over the pitch. Gareth
Barry covered every yard of Villa Park, looking every inch the inspirational
captain and a genuine midfield option for England.
O'Neill and his assistant, John Robertson, know all about wide men influencing
games from their Nottingham Forest playing days, and their current charges,
Ashley Young and Agbonlahor, almost wore grooves out wide with their relentless
running.
Young, all acceleration and ambition, will not be short of confidence when
reporting for England duty this evening. O'Neill has instilled real belief
in Villa's players and supporters.
Such fearlessness was thrillingly evident from the start. Agbonlahor turned
Terry and drew a fine save from Petr Cech. Barry was dominating central
midfield, spraying passes out to Young in particular.
Nigel Reo-Coker was putting in tackle after tackle, including one thunderous
dispossession of Florent Malouda.
Chelsea still had their chances, and should have been awarded a penalty when
Martin Laursen wrestled Wright-Phillips over. Opportunity knocked for the
visitors but was spurned. Wright-Phillips hit the side-netting. Terry headed
over.
Terry's moaning to officials began to enrage Villa Park. The Holte End, at
their raucous best, inquired "Have you won a European Cup?" The fantastic
atmosphere generated by the home support certainly kept the adrenalin pumping
through O'Neill's men.
Villa's determined mood seemed embodied by O'Neill removing his track-suit
top as the second half launched into life, as if signalling a desire to get
down to work.
His team certainly did. Within two minutes, Villa's persistence paid off.
Barry, a mix of tenacity in seeking the ball and composure in using it, was
predictably at the heart of the move that led to Villa's opener.
Barry's pass to John Carew was perfectly judged, and the striker laid the
ball off to Young. The England aspirant's shot was clawed over by Cech.
From Barry's inswinging corner, Knight showed most appetite for the ball,
muscling between Drogba and John Obi Mikel to head powerfully home.
Ashley Cole attempted to clear but could only divert the ball into the roof
of the net. Villa fans were also raising the roof as Knight, Solihull born
and bred, sprinted off around the ground, pausing to high-five with O'Neill
on the way.
Mourinho rang the changes, throwing more and more people into attack,
including Terry and Alex. Joe Cole worked hard to break Villa's resistance,
lifting in a corner that Terry headed over. Villa refused to yield. Barry
twice shrugged off Malouda. Reo-Coker put in a wonderful tackle on Belletti.
The noise intensified.
So did the siege. To push Chelsea back, O'Neill introduced the delicate
creative talents of Stilian Petrov, which was rather like ushering Darcey
Bussell into a game of 'Rollerball'. Petrov soon lost possession but
Salomon Kalou wasted the moment, shooting wide.
Villa were doing more with less. With two minutes remaining, Young eluded
Belletti, sprinted upfield and shot into the area where Agbonlahor stuck
out a leg to flick the ball past Cech.
Frustration ate deep into Chelsea. Joe Cole rolled a shot against a post.
Then Drogba went down, holding his knee, which Chelsea say may require a
scan today.
Villa's jubilant fans will be scanning the table this morning, seeing
their side on the rise. Belief is in the air at Villa Park ... and one man
is responsible: the inspirational O'Neill.
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