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MATCH RESULTS |
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ASTON VILLA - 1 WATFORD - 0 VILLA joined Manchester United on top of the Premiership with a battling victory against Graham Taylor's Watford, who gave John Gregory's side a real fight. Young star Mark Delaney fired home the winner in the second half, but Villa once again had goalkeeper David James to thank for another superb performance. Villa boss John Gregory made one change to the side that was beaten at Chelsea, replacing Alan Thompson with Paul Merson - the former Arsenal star's first start of the season. Gregory's side started the game brightly, and Julian Joachim came close after being released through the middle by a neat flick on by Dion Dublin. However, the home side became stronger as the game went on, with former Villan Tommy Mooney a menace. The forward who has been Watford's matchwinner in their last two games, twice forced a corner and volleyed wide of the target inside the first fifteen minutes. The Hornet's best opportunity brought the very best out of Villa's in-form 'keeper David James. After Southgate had done well to prevent Mooney from getting a shot in, the resulting cross from Kennedy found Ngonge, but his header was superbly stopped by James. Villa's best chance of the half was down to the individuality of Lee Hendrie. The young England star engineered the opportunity for himself but saw his shot saved. Villa came out with all guns blazing in the second half but failed to create any serious threat to the Watford goal. Julian Joachim wasted a good opportunity when released down the left, when Dublin was waiting in the box. But, Watford came back strongly and penned Villa back into their own half. Kennedy was a constant threat down the left, while Palmer pulled the strings as an anchor man for the home side. James was called into the action again to deny former Forest man Des Lyttle's close range header, again following a cross from Kennedy. Villa were given a let off when no Watford player could connect with a right-wing cross, Robinson coming the closest to finding the golden touch as Villa boss John Gregory breathed a sigh of relief. But Villa on the counter-attack forced themselves ahead through Mark Delaney. The young Welshman curling a terrific shot past Day and into the top corner of the goal - his first for Villa. Villa very nearly grabbed a second three minutes later, when Hendrie fed Dion Dublin, whose curling shot was well saved by Chris Day. Villa were then forced to hold on and had David James to thank again to deny Tommy Mooney with a terrific one-handed reflex save. The former Liverpool star, in tremendous form, then superbly punched away a teasing Kennedy corner as Graham Taylor's went in search of an equaliser. The 'keeper was there again in injury time to race of his line and beat Mooney to a dangerous through ball. |
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NEXT GAME: VS WEST HAM UTD |
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