Aston Villa end Swindon's fairytale Storey (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Aston Villa end Swindon's fairytale Storey
6:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Sport By Sam Morshead
Swindon Town's Simon Ferry in action last night against Aston Villa
SWINDON Town’s fabulous run in this season’s Capital One Cup may have come to an end but they refused to go down quietly.
While in the brief moments that counted Aston Villa showed the furious acceleration, deft touch and almost prophetic vision, Town were resolute, defiant and on occasion equally as delightful to watch.
Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor fired the visitors into a two-goal lead before the break, and the tie looked dead and buried.
But in the final 15 minutes Swindon staged a remarkable recovery, spearheaded by the youngest player on the pitch in Miles Storey.
The former Coventry City youth-team player scored twice in four minutes, the first from an ugly bundle, the second from an exquisite flick to briefly lift the County Ground roof somewhere near the stratosphere.
In the end, however, it was the Villa fans – without a roof on the Stratton Bank – who had the last laugh as Benteke popped up to notch a winner at the death.
Villa enjoyed the opening sight of goal inside the first two minutes.
Agbonlahor beat Joe Devera with ominous ease down the left and crossed to the back post, where Benteke headed meekly at Wes Foderingham.
However, Swindon were quickly into their stride and created their first chance of note in the ninth minute.
Matt Ritchie cleverly won possession down the right and thread through James Collins but, with Gary Roberts screaming for the ball unmarked on the edge of the box, the former Villa youth-teamer hesitated and squandered the opportunity.
Barry Bannan shot wide at the other end as Villa looked threatening with the ball at feet going forwards, while the Scottish international’s lofted free-kick was flicked into the arms of Foderingham by Stephen Ireland.
While the visitors always looked potent on the break, Swindon were holding their own.
Drawn like bees to a honeypot whenever an opponent was lucky enough to find the ball at their feet, Tommy Miller and Simon Ferry snuffed out the danger for a tricky first 20 minutes as both teams settled into the contest.
Collins should have teed up the onrushing Ritchie rather than firing wide of Shay Given’s left-hand post from the edge of the area but, against the club where he learnt his trade, the 21-year-old could not be faulted for effort and endeavour.
With 26 minutes on the clock the Robins almost turned that sort of hard work into a reward of substance.
Benson appeared to handle on the turn in the box but referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to go on.
The striker beat Given with his low strike only for Matthew Lowton to clear off the line, and neither Ferry nor Devera could bundle home the rebound.
Minutes later Town were behind.
Again Villa’s source of danger came down the left, as Ireland beat Devera to cross and McCormack and McEveley left the clearance to one another only to stand in shock as Benteke dived in to head beyond Foderingham.
Swindon retaliated with a period of possession that dazzled, switching play from left to right and angling their runs to cause their guests untold problems.
But no killer touch was forthcoming and Villa were able to take advantage once again five minutes before the break.
Again it came from the left, where the Town defence were unable to cope with the rapid acceleration of Agbonlahor and Ireland.
This time it was the former who made the most of his speed, darting inside onto his right foot to fire an bullet-like drive that left Foderingham with no chance.
Swindon seemed sapped of the zest with which they played most of the first period and the Robins had Foderingham to thank for keeping his team in the game moments before the break, as the goalkeeper leapt to his left to get a paw to Andreas Weimann’s volley.
Whatever was said in the home dressing room at half-time, however, stung the life back into the home team.
Benson only just failed to connect onto Ferry’s low cross in the early moments before Roberts headed Collins’ cross over.
Ritchie’s free-kick was cleared off the toes of Roberts in the 54th minute, while the resulting corner saw McCormack’s looping header easily claimed by Given.
Ritchie was again the creator in the 64th minute, making the tradition switch inside onto his left foot to deliver a curling cross to the back post where Roberts headed wide and Town continued to press hard in pursuit of a route back into the game.
McEveley fed through Collins but the forward could not find a finish – a familiar tale on a frustrating evening for the home side.
At the other end, Benteke saw his low drive saved by Foderingham and it seemed as though the Swindon storm was abating.
But Di Canio threw on Raffa De Vita and Storey and between them the pair acted as the lightning strike the Robins needed to violently spark an astonishing comeback.
With 78 minutes on the clock De Vita darted to the byline and scrambled a pass across goal, Storey nipped in front of his marker and bundled the ball beyond Given.
If that was a special moment for the 18-year-old, three minutes later he leapfrogged into dreamworld.
Another of Di Canio’s substitutes, Andy Williams, set up Swindon’s astonishing leveller, volleying low into the six-yard box, and Storey produced a flick with his instep that was as ridiculous as it was sublime to beat Given.
Town were stuck between holding out for extra time and searching for a winner.
In the end they managed neither.
Benteke found space 10 yards from goal to curl into the bottom left-hand corner moments after Andrea Weimann had hit the post to inflict cruel heart-break on the Robins.
They may have fallen at the last, but they deserved the heroes’ adulation they received at the end of the match.
Comments(21)
Chish and Fips
says...
6:40am Wed 31 Oct 12
Well done Swindon another boost to the confidence we hope.
I wonder if Bostock would have made the difference up last night, ah well, still a good show by all accounts. Miles S must be worth playing more - but also keeping closely under control.
Swindon1984
says...
6:51am Wed 31 Oct 12
Chish and Fips wrote:Elation after the second goal - jumped up along with everyone else in the DR, accidentally caught my elbow on the bloke's head sitting next to me, he didn't even seem to feel it, just ecstatic. Villa just had that cutting edge in terms of finishing, other than that they were relatively solid but not anything special - didn't look like we were playing anyone better than championship standard.
I wasn't there but followed on Twitter, even that was exciting, god knows what it was like to actually be there.
Well done Swindon another boost to the confidence we hope.
I wonder if Bostock would have made the difference up last night, ah well, still a good show by all accounts. Miles S must be worth playing more - but also keeping closely under control.
Didn't find out till this morning but Reading eventually ****** it up which is some consolation too :-)
castle9
says...
7:29am Wed 31 Oct 12
Rebel_phish
says...
8:09am Wed 31 Oct 12
Should have been on level terms going into the break, or at least one back. Villa were lucky to be two up.
Second half, again just needed to finish some of the early chances. We could have pegged them back and been out of sight. Miles' injection of pace made a huge difference. After his brace in 3 mins, thought it was only the Town that would grab the late winner.
If only .... if only
mgstfc
says...
8:30am Wed 31 Oct 12
Rebel_phish wrote:Sums up my thoughts exactly, except to add how pleased I was with the whole performance.
If only , if only... we had some really great chances first half and second.
Should have been on level terms going into the break, or at least one back. Villa were lucky to be two up.
Second half, again just needed to finish some of the early chances. We could have pegged them back and been out of sight. Miles' injection of pace made a huge difference. After his brace in 3 mins, thought it was only the Town that would grab the late winner.
If only .... if only
Boy did we give Lambert a fright - he ran on the pitch when they scored their third - he knew they just used up a 'get out of jail free card..'
Rebel_phish
says...
8:55am Wed 31 Oct 12
mgstfc wrote:Couldn't agree more.
Rebel_phish wrote:Sums up my thoughts exactly, except to add how pleased I was with the whole performance.
If only , if only... we had some really great chances first half and second.
Should have been on level terms going into the break, or at least one back. Villa were lucky to be two up.
Second half, again just needed to finish some of the early chances. We could have pegged them back and been out of sight. Miles' injection of pace made a huge difference. After his brace in 3 mins, thought it was only the Town that would grab the late winner.
If only .... if only
Boy did we give Lambert a fright - he ran on the pitch when they scored their third - he knew they just used up a 'get out of jail free card..'
As you say they used their escape card to rob us.
To use the hallowe'en theme, they had a very scary night. And I think we showed them they have to be frightened for their Premiership status.
We'll get our revenge and sink our teeth into their jugular next season in the Championship
SeanG92
says...
9:06am Wed 31 Oct 12
As has been said, Devera was our weak link, Villa exploited that perfectly. Without Williams fit to start we lacked pace up front, Storey couldn't have been expected to start and do the job, that wouldnt have been fair on the lad. When Williams came on the match completely changed in my eyes.
We lost at the end as we just ran out of steam in the center of the park, had we had another CM to bring on Im sure Paolo would have done so (instead of Rafa) and that could have changed things. Although Rafa was pretty influential too!
Ah well, lets hope we don't suffer a hangover on Saturday or all the moaners will return. 2nd round of the FA cup and another 3 points on the table this time next week will do me nicely.
COYR's
Oi Den!
says...
9:34am Wed 31 Oct 12
super reds
says...
12:07pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Swindon1984
says...
12:07pm Wed 31 Oct 12
SeanG92 wrote:Did feel sorry for Devera, just couldn't seem to handle it last night. Rafa did well though, and I'd like him to feature more often, has made meaningful contributions in every game he's played in this season.
You have to believe that had we had, Williams from the start, N Thompson and Navarro (or another cm) we might well have done that. As has been said, Devera was our weak link, Villa exploited that perfectly. Without Williams fit to start we lacked pace up front, Storey couldn't have been expected to start and do the job, that wouldnt have been fair on the lad. When Williams came on the match completely changed in my eyes. We lost at the end as we just ran out of steam in the center of the park, had we had another CM to bring on Im sure Paolo would have done so (instead of Rafa) and that could have changed things. Although Rafa was pretty influential too! Ah well, lets hope we don't suffer a hangover on Saturday or all the moaners will return. 2nd round of the FA cup and another 3 points on the table this time next week will do me nicely. COYR's
swwindon61uk
says...
1:57pm Wed 31 Oct 12
All goals Villa scored just showed that you can not give higher opposition room to cross and shoot and also i have to say the Villa 2nd goal came directly from him punching and not catching the ball.
We did at times give the ball away cheaply and often.
Personally i think Villa are in trouble in the EPL
Macclesfield is not going is not going to be our strongest team but again personally for our regular games i would start RDV over Ritchie.
Swindon1984
says...
2:09pm Wed 31 Oct 12
swwindon61uk wrote:Don't want to split hairs but I don't know where people get this "EPL" abbreviation from - it's called the Premier League (technically the Barclay's Premier League as they're the current sponsor), there is no Premier League anywhere else so not sure where the "English Premier League" tag comes from? Don't get me started on the premiership either, not any particular team but the idea of it's always been slightly ridiculous to me. Not as ridiculous as "The Championship" but that's another stor(e)y.
Great effort last night and with a bit more killer finishing we could well have won it. All goals Villa scored just showed that you can not give higher opposition room to cross and shoot and also i have to say the Villa 2nd goal came directly from him punching and not catching the ball. We did at times give the ball away cheaply and often. Personally i think Villa are in trouble in the EPL Macclesfield is not going is not going to be our strongest team but again personally for our regular games i would start RDV over Ritchie.
Anyway aside from all that, I'd have to agree that we did occasionally give away the ball cheaply, but that was largely in the first half, second I felt we were superb. Also can't agree with starting Ritchie over DeVita, they play in different positions for starters (can't ever remember seeing DeVita playing right wing??) and although DeVita needs a decent crack of the whip in the starting lineup, Ritchie does give us that little bit extra over most sides. Had some poor games end of last season and start of this but he's our most naturally skillful player by a country mile.
SeanG92
says...
2:14pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Swindon1984 wrote:Swindon1984 - Scotland have a "premier league"
swwindon61uk wrote:Don't want to split hairs but I don't know where people get this "EPL" abbreviation from - it's called the Premier League (technically the Barclay's Premier League as they're the current sponsor), there is no Premier League anywhere else so not sure where the "English Premier League" tag comes from? Don't get me started on the premiership either, not any particular team but the idea of it's always been slightly ridiculous to me. Not as ridiculous as "The Championship" but that's another stor(e)y.
Great effort last night and with a bit more killer finishing we could well have won it. All goals Villa scored just showed that you can not give higher opposition room to cross and shoot and also i have to say the Villa 2nd goal came directly from him punching and not catching the ball. We did at times give the ball away cheaply and often. Personally i think Villa are in trouble in the EPL Macclesfield is not going is not going to be our strongest team but again personally for our regular games i would start RDV over Ritchie.
Anyway aside from all that, I'd have to agree that we did occasionally give away the ball cheaply, but that was largely in the first half, second I felt we were superb. Also can't agree with starting Ritchie over DeVita, they play in different positions for starters (can't ever remember seeing DeVita playing right wing??) and although DeVita needs a decent crack of the whip in the starting lineup, Ritchie does give us that little bit extra over most sides. Had some poor games end of last season and start of this but he's our most naturally skillful player by a country mile.
Oi Den!
says...
2:26pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Swindon1984 wrote:With you all the way on "Premiership" and "Championship". Premiership has only one meaning - it's a prime minister's term in office. And a championship is a league title. I think we have Carling to thank for "Premiership" (thankfully abandoned now) and Coca Cola for "Championship". Oh, for the simplicity and togetherness of Football League Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
swwindon61uk wrote:Don't want to split hairs but I don't know where people get this "EPL" abbreviation from - it's called the Premier League (technically the Barclay's Premier League as they're the current sponsor), there is no Premier League anywhere else so not sure where the "English Premier League" tag comes from? Don't get me started on the premiership either, not any particular team but the idea of it's always been slightly ridiculous to me. Not as ridiculous as "The Championship" but that's another stor(e)y.
Great effort last night and with a bit more killer finishing we could well have won it. All goals Villa scored just showed that you can not give higher opposition room to cross and shoot and also i have to say the Villa 2nd goal came directly from him punching and not catching the ball. We did at times give the ball away cheaply and often. Personally i think Villa are in trouble in the EPL Macclesfield is not going is not going to be our strongest team but again personally for our regular games i would start RDV over Ritchie.
Anyway aside from all that, I'd have to agree that we did occasionally give away the ball cheaply, but that was largely in the first half, second I felt we were superb. Also can't agree with starting Ritchie over DeVita, they play in different positions for starters (can't ever remember seeing DeVita playing right wing??) and although DeVita needs a decent crack of the whip in the starting lineup, Ritchie does give us that little bit extra over most sides. Had some poor games end of last season and start of this but he's our most naturally skillful player by a country mile.
.
I'll definitely need the tin hat for that one!
swwindon61uk
says...
2:37pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Oi Den! wrote:Den i agree,when i am with friends we all still say division 3 and 4.
Swindon1984 wrote:With you all the way on "Premiership" and "Championship". Premiership has only one meaning - it's a prime minister's term in office. And a championship is a league title. I think we have Carling to thank for "Premiership" (thankfully abandoned now) and Coca Cola for "Championship". Oh, for the simplicity and togetherness of Football League Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
swwindon61uk wrote:Don't want to split hairs but I don't know where people get this "EPL" abbreviation from - it's called the Premier League (technically the Barclay's Premier League as they're the current sponsor), there is no Premier League anywhere else so not sure where the "English Premier League" tag comes from? Don't get me started on the premiership either, not any particular team but the idea of it's always been slightly ridiculous to me. Not as ridiculous as "The Championship" but that's another stor(e)y.
Great effort last night and with a bit more killer finishing we could well have won it. All goals Villa scored just showed that you can not give higher opposition room to cross and shoot and also i have to say the Villa 2nd goal came directly from him punching and not catching the ball. We did at times give the ball away cheaply and often. Personally i think Villa are in trouble in the EPL Macclesfield is not going is not going to be our strongest team but again personally for our regular games i would start RDV over Ritchie.
Anyway aside from all that, I'd have to agree that we did occasionally give away the ball cheaply, but that was largely in the first half, second I felt we were superb. Also can't agree with starting Ritchie over DeVita, they play in different positions for starters (can't ever remember seeing DeVita playing right wing??) and although DeVita needs a decent crack of the whip in the starting lineup, Ritchie does give us that little bit extra over most sides. Had some poor games end of last season and start of this but he's our most naturally skillful player by a country mile.
.
I'll definitely need the tin hat for that one!
There again i still call the stands North and South.
Nigel, Denver CO
says...
3:32pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Swindon1984
says...
4:34pm Wed 31 Oct 12
SeanG92 wrote:At the risk of getting a verbal kicking, you are correct in that they have "a" premier league; theirs is the Scottish Premier League, which can rightly be abbreviated to "SPL." The Barclays Premier League isn't called the English Premier League, hence "EPL" makes no sense. Even to differentiate it from Scottish football is a bit pointless, after all if you say Premier League, people will automatically think English football.
Swindon1984 wrote:Swindon1984 - Scotland have a "premier league"swwindon61uk wrote: Great effort last night and with a bit more killer finishing we could well have won it. All goals Villa scored just showed that you can not give higher opposition room to cross and shoot and also i have to say the Villa 2nd goal came directly from him punching and not catching the ball. We did at times give the ball away cheaply and often. Personally i think Villa are in trouble in the EPL Macclesfield is not going is not going to be our strongest team but again personally for our regular games i would start RDV over Ritchie.Don't want to split hairs but I don't know where people get this "EPL" abbreviation from - it's called the Premier League (technically the Barclay's Premier League as they're the current sponsor), there is no Premier League anywhere else so not sure where the "English Premier League" tag comes from? Don't get me started on the premiership either, not any particular team but the idea of it's always been slightly ridiculous to me. Not as ridiculous as "The Championship" but that's another stor(e)y. Anyway aside from all that, I'd have to agree that we did occasionally give away the ball cheaply, but that was largely in the first half, second I felt we were superb. Also can't agree with starting Ritchie over DeVita, they play in different positions for starters (can't ever remember seeing DeVita playing right wing??) and although DeVita needs a decent crack of the whip in the starting lineup, Ritchie does give us that little bit extra over most sides. Had some poor games end of last season and start of this but he's our most naturally skillful player by a country mile.
Boring myself now - take note all, just because you're right doesn't mean people have to be interested in what you're saying. London Red comes unstuck on this point a fair bit.
Oi Den!
says...
5:07pm Wed 31 Oct 12
old town robin
says...
11:53pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Swindon1984
says...
11:27am Thu 1 Nov 12
Bamptonred says...
6:37am Wed 31 Oct 12
Would be more worried being a Villa fan than a Swindon fan. We will be seeing them next year in the Championship.