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Americans in the UK: Top Four Villain
Aston Villa has teased, poked, and threatened all season, and finally, the battle is for real as Villa supplanted Arsenal in fourth place after defeating Bolton on Saturday.
Dec 14, 2008 9:46:37 PM
By: Matthew Braine
The Villains vaulted into fourth place in the table after defeating Bolton 4-2 on Saturday. The home side dominated most of the match and responded with fury after going down 1-0 early. Johan Elmander beat Friedel in the 17th with a back heel flick that Friedel nearly stopped but could not hold onto. The visitors' joy was brief, however, as four unanswered goals followed, with only a Kevin Davies consolation goal in the 86th minute to salvage some respect.
Friedel only made one save on the day, but was lucky to spend most of the 90 minutes watching the Villa attack tear up the visitors. Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough sent Villa one point clear and, with the Boxing Day clash with Arsenal approaching, a real rivalry type atmosphere is brewing in Birmingham.
Premiership:
Tim Howard, Everton
vs. Manchester City (90 minutes, 3 saves, 0 goals conceded)
One week after suffering a bitter home defeat to Villa, Everton stunned Manchester City away, grabbing an injury time header from Tim Cahill which secured a 1-0 victory. The Toffees dominated the game and came close to scoring often, however, Leon Osman’s 90th minute corner was met firmly by Cahill, spelling three points for the visitors. Howard was tested a few times and got lucky in 41st minute when Shaun Wright-Phillips’ shot beat Howard but flew off the top of the bar and out of play. The shutout earned Howard his fourth clean sheet of the season.
Up Next: Monday, home to Chelsea.
Brad Friedel, Aston Villa.
vs. Bolton (90 minutes, 1 save, 2 goals conceded)
(See Above)
Up Next: Wednesday, away to Hamburg SV (UEFA Cup) and Saturday, away to West Ham.
Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj, Aston Villa
No action for either Villain this week. Although Guzan could start on Wednesday against Hamburg, it seems unlikely, as a win ensures home field advantage in the next round, making Friedel the better option.
Clint Dempsey, Fulham
vs. Stoke City (90 minutes)
The Cottagers came up blank on Saturday as they drew 0-0 with Stoke on the road. The London outfit dominated play but could not muster any shots on target and certainly wasted an opportunity to move up in the table. Dempsey started for the fifth time in a row and played the entire match for the third straight week. He had a solid shot late in the match but it went wide of the goal.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Middlesbrough.
Jonathan Spector, West Ham
vs. Liverpool and Chelsea (DNP)
West Ham earned two valuable points this week as they held their own against both Liverpool (0-0) and Chelsea (1-1). Spector was inactive for both contests; however, he did play for the Hammers Reserve squad on Thursday when the team took on the MLS Select/Generation Adidas Team. Spector scored an equalizer for the Hammers, who eventually won 3-2. This is solid news for Spector, as his strong showing should yield to a return soon.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Aston Villa.
Championship Round-Up:
Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey, Reading
The Royals earned a valuable 1-0 victory against Blackpool on Tuesday but it came at a price. Hahnemann came up lame after launching a horrid free kick down the pitch and had to be replaced in the 71st minute. The calf injury has left Hahnemann on crutches for the time being and the keeper could miss up to two weeks. Adam Federici took his place on Saturday and earned an impressive clean sheet as Reading defeated Norwich City 2-0. Convey made his first appearance in nearly three months on Tuesday against Blackpool but played just eight minutes. He was not active for Saturday’s contest.
Eddie Johnson, Cardiff
Johnson played 17 minutes on Tuesday against Burnley as the Bluebirds coughed up a 2-1 lead and eventually drew 2-2 on the road. Johnson really didn’t do much to help create a winner; however, his mediocre performance was just the beginning as Saturday’s contest against Ipswich Town was somewhat embarrassing for Johnson. The striker was brought on in the 35th minute after Michael Chopra limped off with a hamstring injury. Johnson was then brought off in the 83nd minute in favor of Stephen McPhail, who is a usual starter. Being subbed off for McPhail is no crime, but that Johnson’s performance was so uneventful that a late substitution was actually necessary is.
Jay DeMerit, Watford
DeMerit is still sidelined with a groin injury but should be back next week. Watford earned wins against Norwich and Coventry City, propelling them eight points above the relegation zone.
Frank Simek, Sheffield Wednesday
Simek started on Tuesday against QPR on Tuesday but had to be pulled off after 38 minutes due to injury. The defender was bothered by a hamstring injury, but also gave away a penalty, which was saved, and was subsequently not involved in Saturday’s contest against Bristol City. The injury doesn’t sound too serious but Simek’s activity should be slowed over the next month or so.
Meanwhile Up In Scotland…
DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, Rangers
Vs. Dundee United (Both DNP)
Beasley was active but did not get off the bench as Rangers drew 2-2 with Dundee United. Edu was not dressed for the contest. Edu has seen some time with the Reserves recently and on Tuesday Edu played the entire match as Rangers Reserves defeated St. Mirren 3-1.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Hibernian.
Pub Talk:
** Jemal Johnson kept his scoring going for MK Dons on Saturday as the striker notched a vital goal during the 4-2 win over Brighton on Saturday. After Brighton went up 1-0 early, the Dons equalized through Miguel Angel Llera. Johnson followed up with an early goal in the second half, sparking a run that led to the 4-2 win. While Johnson’s three goals and two assists may be modest on paper, his impact has been steady and is certainly making the headlines for this column.
Matthew Braine's feature "Americans in the UK" appears every Monday on Goal.com. He can be reached at matthew.braine@hotmail.com
The Villains vaulted into fourth place in the table after defeating Bolton 4-2 on Saturday. The home side dominated most of the match and responded with fury after going down 1-0 early. Johan Elmander beat Friedel in the 17th with a back heel flick that Friedel nearly stopped but could not hold onto. The visitors' joy was brief, however, as four unanswered goals followed, with only a Kevin Davies consolation goal in the 86th minute to salvage some respect.
Friedel only made one save on the day, but was lucky to spend most of the 90 minutes watching the Villa attack tear up the visitors. Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough sent Villa one point clear and, with the Boxing Day clash with Arsenal approaching, a real rivalry type atmosphere is brewing in Birmingham.
Premiership:
Tim Howard, Everton
vs. Manchester City (90 minutes, 3 saves, 0 goals conceded)
One week after suffering a bitter home defeat to Villa, Everton stunned Manchester City away, grabbing an injury time header from Tim Cahill which secured a 1-0 victory. The Toffees dominated the game and came close to scoring often, however, Leon Osman’s 90th minute corner was met firmly by Cahill, spelling three points for the visitors. Howard was tested a few times and got lucky in 41st minute when Shaun Wright-Phillips’ shot beat Howard but flew off the top of the bar and out of play. The shutout earned Howard his fourth clean sheet of the season.
Up Next: Monday, home to Chelsea.
Brad Friedel, Aston Villa.
vs. Bolton (90 minutes, 1 save, 2 goals conceded)
(See Above)
Up Next: Wednesday, away to Hamburg SV (UEFA Cup) and Saturday, away to West Ham.
Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj, Aston Villa
No action for either Villain this week. Although Guzan could start on Wednesday against Hamburg, it seems unlikely, as a win ensures home field advantage in the next round, making Friedel the better option.
Clint Dempsey, Fulham
vs. Stoke City (90 minutes)
The Cottagers came up blank on Saturday as they drew 0-0 with Stoke on the road. The London outfit dominated play but could not muster any shots on target and certainly wasted an opportunity to move up in the table. Dempsey started for the fifth time in a row and played the entire match for the third straight week. He had a solid shot late in the match but it went wide of the goal.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Middlesbrough.
Jonathan Spector, West Ham
vs. Liverpool and Chelsea (DNP)
West Ham earned two valuable points this week as they held their own against both Liverpool (0-0) and Chelsea (1-1). Spector was inactive for both contests; however, he did play for the Hammers Reserve squad on Thursday when the team took on the MLS Select/Generation Adidas Team. Spector scored an equalizer for the Hammers, who eventually won 3-2. This is solid news for Spector, as his strong showing should yield to a return soon.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Aston Villa.
Championship Round-Up:
Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey, Reading
The Royals earned a valuable 1-0 victory against Blackpool on Tuesday but it came at a price. Hahnemann came up lame after launching a horrid free kick down the pitch and had to be replaced in the 71st minute. The calf injury has left Hahnemann on crutches for the time being and the keeper could miss up to two weeks. Adam Federici took his place on Saturday and earned an impressive clean sheet as Reading defeated Norwich City 2-0. Convey made his first appearance in nearly three months on Tuesday against Blackpool but played just eight minutes. He was not active for Saturday’s contest.
Eddie Johnson, Cardiff
Johnson played 17 minutes on Tuesday against Burnley as the Bluebirds coughed up a 2-1 lead and eventually drew 2-2 on the road. Johnson really didn’t do much to help create a winner; however, his mediocre performance was just the beginning as Saturday’s contest against Ipswich Town was somewhat embarrassing for Johnson. The striker was brought on in the 35th minute after Michael Chopra limped off with a hamstring injury. Johnson was then brought off in the 83nd minute in favor of Stephen McPhail, who is a usual starter. Being subbed off for McPhail is no crime, but that Johnson’s performance was so uneventful that a late substitution was actually necessary is.
Jay DeMerit, Watford
DeMerit is still sidelined with a groin injury but should be back next week. Watford earned wins against Norwich and Coventry City, propelling them eight points above the relegation zone.
Frank Simek, Sheffield Wednesday
Simek started on Tuesday against QPR on Tuesday but had to be pulled off after 38 minutes due to injury. The defender was bothered by a hamstring injury, but also gave away a penalty, which was saved, and was subsequently not involved in Saturday’s contest against Bristol City. The injury doesn’t sound too serious but Simek’s activity should be slowed over the next month or so.
Meanwhile Up In Scotland…
DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, Rangers
Vs. Dundee United (Both DNP)
Beasley was active but did not get off the bench as Rangers drew 2-2 with Dundee United. Edu was not dressed for the contest. Edu has seen some time with the Reserves recently and on Tuesday Edu played the entire match as Rangers Reserves defeated St. Mirren 3-1.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Hibernian.
Pub Talk:
** Jemal Johnson kept his scoring going for MK Dons on Saturday as the striker notched a vital goal during the 4-2 win over Brighton on Saturday. After Brighton went up 1-0 early, the Dons equalized through Miguel Angel Llera. Johnson followed up with an early goal in the second half, sparking a run that led to the 4-2 win. While Johnson’s three goals and two assists may be modest on paper, his impact has been steady and is certainly making the headlines for this column.
Matthew Braine's feature "Americans in the UK" appears every Monday on Goal.com. He can be reached at matthew.braine@hotmail.com
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