Oxford United 0 Aston Villa 3 (Taylor, Barry, Dublin)

You know if you'd offered me the score line before kick off I'd have probably accepted it. So why did I
walk away disappointed? For me it's probably because there were so many echoes of the Charlton game. If you
weren't there the believe me we could have taken this game to penalties.
Atkins opted to revert to 5 at the back, with the result that the Villa forward line was completely
stifled for long periods with the OUFC fans looking out for the occasional U's attack on the break.
Something had to give; it was just a shame it had to be Andy Woodman.
As often happens the U's made a bright start with the recalled Whitehead (you see that's why I go to reserve
games!!) showing no fear, and making a memorable run from box to box in the 8th minute.
Villa's sole outlet was J Lloyd Samuel overlapping on the left, whipping in crosses, but the 3 centre halves
dealt with everything thrown at them with aplomb.
Kinsella chipped just over, Louis headed wide but at half time it was clear that this was a tactical game,
which Ian Atkins was winning.
Perhaps Graham Taylor laminated the walls at half time, as Villa made a fast start to the second half
and substitute Angel headed wide from a Moore cross.
Villa were getting almost all the possession and Woodman had to dive full length to tip away Delaney's
shot.
Once again Villa threw everything they had at the OUFC defence and time after time the U's back line
found a way to repel the attacks. Crosby did well to thwart Dublin, Staunton shot over from a corner, and a
Barry shot was well gathered by Woodman. 
On 73 minutes Oxford had a good case for a penalty when Bound fired in a shot from a massive goalmouth
scramble, which Villa cleared with more than a hint of handball. It was becoming obvious that the 12,177 (a
record) fans were sniffing an upset.
Put simply, for 74 minutes the Third Division outfit kept out everything the overpaid Premiership, "Stars,"
could throw at them. On 74 minutes however the situation was to change.
Villa forced a corner, which was whipped in as a regulation inswinger by Kinsella. Woodman rose above
everyone to claim the ball but inexplicably dropped it on his way down. Dublin slammed a shot against the
keeper's face leaving Taylor with an easy task to tap
home from close range. To add insult to injury, Bound and Robinson were booked for dissent in the aftermath.
3 minutes later Woodman compounded his error. Barry was given room to run and he fired in a shot from 20
yards, which deflected off Bounds ankle. The ball bounced, but the way it spilled through Woodman's
hands will give him nightmares for years.
Still, Oxford refused to lie down and die; Hackett came on for Bound as the U's sought a route back but
in the 86th minute Villa showed a little Premiership quality to kill off the game. Barry dinked the ball
over McNiven and Dublin outpaced Crosby to smash past Woodman.
A word about Andy Woodman, give the guy a BIG cheer on Saturday. He had the bottle to come out and face
the press afterwards and we all know many Premiership
players and ex OUFC managers who would have hidden, or sent out the assistant.
Good on you Woody, we still love you!!

 

Oxford United Andy Woodman Scott McNiven Matt Robinson Matthew Bound Andy Crosby James Hunt Steve Basham Jefferson Louis David Savage Adi Viveash Dean Whitehead Subs David Waterman Paul Powell Chris Hackett (for Bound 79) Gavin Gordon (for Louis 53) Manny Omoyinmi (for Basham 80) Bookings Robinson (dissent 74) Bound (dissent 74)

Aston Villa Stefan Postma Mark Delaney Steve Staunton Ronny Johnson Jlloyd Samuel Oyvind Leonhardsen Ian Taylor Mark Kinsella Gareth Barry Dion Dublin Stefan Moore Subs Juan Pablo Angel (for Leonhardsen HT) Thomas Hitzlsperger (for Kinsella 74) Marcus Allback (for Moore 86) Peter Crouch Wayne Henderson Bookings Taylor (66 Foul) Sending off Summerbell 71 2nd booking foul

Next Home to Rochdale Saturday 9th November 2002



            
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