FA CUP: Aston Villa Eliminates Leicester City To Reach FA Cup Quarter-finals

Chances were few and far between in the first half, but the clearest openings fell Leicester's way and twice they were inches from breaking the deadlock.

First, in the 11th minute, Marcin Wasilewski flicked a header from Matty James's corner against the post before James himself was denied by Shay Given's fingertip save shortly after the half-hour mark.

At the other end, Christian Benteke smashed home just before half time, but Villa failed to break their 11-game streak without a first-half goal as he was flagged offside.

There was more intensity about Villa in the second half and they should have gone in front two minutes after the restart when Fabian Delph mistimed a free header and directed it over the bar.

The opening goal arrived midway through the second half when Leandro Bacuna, who was about to be substituted, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled into the far corner past Mark Schwarzer.

Villa had chances to put the game to bed on the counter-attack, but they were almost pegged back when Riyad Mahrez forced a double-save from Given.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 89th minute through Scott Sinclair, who replaced Bacuna and netted his first goal for Villa with a low shot that Schwarzer helped into the goal.

Leicester made it a nervy finish for Villa when Andrej Kramaric scored his second goal in as many games with a well-directed header from Jeffrey Schlupp's cross.

The Foxes lumped the ball forward hoping for one last chance, but they were unable to force a replay as seven-time winners Villa advance to the last eight.

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EPL Result: Aston Villa 1 - 1 Manchester United

Manchester United have been held to a 1-1 draw by the 10 men of Aston Villa in a keenly-contested game at Villa Park this afternoon.

The result has brought an end to a six-game winning streak for Louis van Gaal's side, but they remain in the top three of the Premier League.

Man Utd saw much of the ball in the opening 15 minutes but couldn't create any chances with their superior possession.

Their lack of creativity came back to haunt them in the 18th minute as Christian Benteke bent a measured shot inside the far post from inside the box after Jonny Evans was unable to deal with a deep free kick.

United were soon on the front foot again as they penned the hosts inside their own half, but a wall of claret and blue shirts prevented them from carving open any opportunities.

After a Villa counter attack broke down, Man Utd almost got a goal back as Ashley Young's inswinging cross evaded everyone inside the box, but Brad Guzan clawed it away just as it looked to be creeping inside the far post.

Radamel Falcao was close to connecting with a couple of dangerous Antonio Valencia crosses as half time approached, but a mass of bodies prevented the Colombian from getting a shot at goal on either occasion.

In contrast to a cagey opening 45 minutes, the second half began with a flurry of chances for both sides.

First, Fabian Delph's crashing shot was deflected behind by Evans and from the resulting corner David de Gea tipped Benteke's towering header over the bar.

Then it was United's turn to threaten, as Guzan stood tall to thwart Robin van Persie before he dived low to his left to prevent Juan Mata's shot from creeping inside the near post.

There was nothing he could do to prevent Falcao from making it 1-1 though, as the forward guided Young's cross inside the near post with a cushioned header in the 53rd minute.

Delph then fired an awkward shot at de Gea, but Villa's task soon became much tougher after Agbonlahor was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on his former teammate Young.

Rather than hand the visitors more opportunities to go ahead, it was Villa who came close just minutes after Agbonlahor's dismissal as only a series of brave blocks prevented Ciaran Clark and then Lowton from making it 2-1 to the hosts.

The home side were soon on the back foot once more though and they just about managed to scramble four successive corners away to safety, but United rarely threatened late on and Villa held on to secure a point.

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EPL Preview: Aston Villa vs. Manchester United

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could name an unchanged starting lineup when he takes his team to play Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Blind and Luke Shaw are unlikely to feature until the Christmas fixtures while midfielder Angel di Maria is unlikely to be considered for a return to the starting XI.

Six victories in a row, including last week's 3-0 triumph over Liverpool, have taken United up to third position, five points behind Manchester City and eight adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Despite their positive results, Van Gaal will remain concerned by his side's performances but with room for improvement, there is every reason for supporters to be optimistic at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has revealed that he is "down to the bare bones" as he attempts to contend with five games in the space of two weeks.

Lambert must do without the suspended Kieran Richardson, Alan Hutton and Tom Cleverley at the weekend, while Joe Cole, Nathan Baker and Philippe Senderos won't be fit enough to feature in the 18-man squad.

However, the club was boosted by the substitute appearance of Fabian Delph during the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last Saturday and he seems a certainty to be drafted into midfield.

The setback at The Hawthorns was Villa's first in six matches which has left them five points ahead of the relegation zone.

Aston Villa:

Recent form: DDDWWL

Possible starting lineup: Guzan, Lowton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho, Sanchez, Delph, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke

Manchester United:

Recent form: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young; Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney; van Persie, Wilson

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EPL Result: Stoke City 0 - 1 Aston Villa

Andreas Weimann scored after the break to give Aston Villa a 1-0 win on the opening day of the new Premier League season against Stoke City.

Marko Arnautovic tested the visitors early on, curling the ball in following a quick break down the left flank before looking to set up Bojan Krkic later in the half.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had the best chance of the first half for Villa, but the striker could not slot the ball into an empty net after Asmir Begovic had come to clear.

Paul Lambert's side took the lead just a couple of minutes into the second half when Weimann squeezed the ball into the back of the net, despite Begovic getting a hand to the ball.

Peter Crouch looked likely up front for Stoke as the Potters sought a quick equaliser, but the striker's teammates could not get the ball to him.

Charlie Adam came on inside the final 10 minutes and immediately tried to link up with Crouch, but Villa were organised at the back and managed to clear the threat.

Ron Vlaar made a block late on to help the visitors protect their lead, ensuring that they held one to secure all three points at the Britannia Stadium.

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RESULT: Hugo Rodallega Earns Crucial Three Points For Fulham

Hugo Rodallega has boosted Fulham's chances of avoiding relegation by earning them a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Fulham started brightly, with Cauley Woodrow combining well with Pajtim Kasami before the latter's header was sent over the crossbar.

Villa had an opportunity to take the lead thanks to Leandro Bacuna, but his chipped cross was headed wide by Andreas Weimann, who had found space at the back post.

Bacuna continued to look dangerous with the ball at his feet, and he was close to finding a goal of his own when his low effort was pushed away by David Stockdale.

Woodrow was given one more chance to open his account before the break after intercepting a Villa pass, but the young forward's strike from a tight angle was unable to beat Brad Guzan.

The opening stages of the second half was played in open fashion, but a lack of chances frustrated both sets of supporters.

Fulham took the lead in the 61st minute through Kieran Richardson, who took advantage of some space from outside the box to fire a fine strike past the helpless Guzan.

However, the visitors were unable to hold on for too long as Villa hit back just nine minutes later when Grant Holt arrived at the back post to head in a delivery from a corner.

The two goals set up a dramatic finish to the match, with Fulham coming agonisingly close to regaining the lead when Matthew Lowton cleared Lewis Holtby's effort off the line.

For the second time in the afternoon, Weimann missed a good chance to beat Stockdale as he headed Marc Albrighton's delivery over the bar.

There proved to be one final twist to the game in the 86th minute when substitute Rodallega found space to head Holtby's inch-perfect cross past Guzan and secure all three points.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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EPL PREVIEW: Aston Villa vs. Fulham

Fulham manager Felix Magath has insisted that his team can still produce an unlikely escape from relegation if they win four of their remaining six matches.

The Premier League's bottom club travel to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon five points adrift of safety and with by far the worst goal difference in the division.

Leading bookmaker SkyBet has them 1/8 favourites to go down, but Magath has not, at least publicly, given up hope of prolonging Fulham's 13-year stay in the top flight.

Time is running out for the Cottagers, though, and you would think that they need to pick up a positive result this weekend against a Villa side who have suffered consecutive 4-1 defeats to retain hope of survival.

Paul Lambert will be relieved to be watching the fight to avoid the drop from a relatively safe distance this season, although 12th-placed Villa probably need another win to guarantee that they stay up.

At this stage last term, the Midlands club, who are eight points clear of the bottom three, were only two points above water, but the goals of Christian Benteke soon fired them up the table.

However, the Belgian has been ruled out for six months with an Achilles injury, and will miss the World Cup. Gabriel Agbonlahor could play though the middle, with Andreas Weimann and Mark Albrighton in behind him.

At the other end of the pitch, Lambert may consider changes to his leaky defence. With Villa having conceded eight goals in their last two games, Matt Lowton may be restored at right-back to allow Leandro Bacuna to play in midfield, while Nathan Baker should return after recovering from a knock.

Karim El Ahmadi, Libor Kozak, Jores Okore and Charles N'Zogbia all remain in the treatment room.

Magath must decide whether to put his faith in Fulham's young stars, as he has done in recent weeks, or recall experienced names such as Scott Parker, who is available again following a knee injury.

With £12m club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou still suffering from fitness problems, either Cauley Woodrow or 17-year-old Moussa Dembele will start as the Whites' lone striker.

One of the teenagers will be supported by Ashkan Dejagah, who has three goals in his last five games, while former Villa striker Darren Bent is poised to be named on the bench after overcoming an illness.

Fernando Amorebieta has completed his suspension, but may be kept out the back four by Johnny Heitinga.

Recent form

Villa: LLWWLD

Fulham: LLWLLD

Possible starting lineups

Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Baker, Vlaar, Bertrand; Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Albrighton; Weimann; Agbonlahor

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Riise; Parker, Sidwell, Holtby; Kasami, Dejagah; Dembele

Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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SPORTS: United Stop Skid, Liverpool Crush Spurs

Manchester United and Liverpool each enjoyed breezy victories in the English Premier League on Sunday, United sinking Aston Villa 3-0 and Liverpool returning to second place by outclassing Tottenham Hotspur 5-0.

Beaten by Everton and Newcastle United in their previous two league outings, United were at risk of losing three successive games for the first time since 2001, but they were dominant in a 3-0 win at Villa Park.

A quick-fire brace from Danny Welbeck put United in control after only 18 minutes and they added a further goal through Tom Cleverley as they closed to within ten points of leaders Arsenal.

Victory left the champions seven points below the UEFA Champions League positions in eighth place, but it was a timely win for manager David Moyes after a desperate run of four games without victory.

Marc Albrighton worked United goalkeeper David de Gea twice in the early stages, but a pair of goals from Welbeck put United in command.

Deputising for the injured Robin van Persie, the England forward broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when he slammed home after Adnan Januzaj had headed against the post from a Rafael da Silva cross.

Villa were unable to contain United's right-sided players and three minutes later the visitors scored another goal from that flank, with Antonio Valencia crossing for the sliding Welbeck to score.

Wayne Rooney, playing in his 500th club game, and Welbeck both went close to extending United's lead before Cleverley added a third in the 52nd minute with a first-time finish from Rooney's pass.

It was the England midfielder's first goal for a year and United were able to celebrate another milestone later in the game when Darren Fletcher came on to make his first appearance after a year out with a chronic illness.

Villa, who have not beaten United at home since 1995, remain 11th in the table.

Having seen Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton steal in front of them on Saturday, Liverpool returned to second place with a very impressive success over ten-man Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Captain for the day in the absence of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez put Liverpool ahead in the 18th minute when he took the ball past Michael Dawson and Kyle Walker before curling home a low shot.

Philippe Coutinho hit the bar, Glen Johnson shot just over and Hugo Lloris blocked from Suarez before Jordan Henderson doubled the visitors' lead in the 40th minute.

Lloris stood up to save from Henderson and then blocked Suarez's follow-up, but he was beaten at the third attempt as the former Sunderland midfielder crashed a volley into the bottom-right corner.

Spurs' hopes of a comeback were effectively ended when Paulinho was sent off in the 63rd minute for catching Suarez in the chest with his foot.

Full-back Jon Flanagan made it 3-0, slamming a difficult half-volley off the bar and into the net from Suarez's cross, and Suarez added a fourth with a delicate lob before teeing up Raheem Sterling for the fifth.

Liverpool finished the weekend two points behind leaders Arsenal and above third-place Chelsea on goal difference, with Spurs five points below the Champions League places after a first defeat in four league games.

In the day's other fixture, Swansea City drew 1-1 at Norwich City in a match overshadowed by an injury to visiting goalscorer Nathan Dyer.

He broke the deadlock with a 12th-minute lob but had to be stretchered off and taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle after injuring himself in a duel with Sebastien Bassong. Gary Hooper earned Norwich a share of the spoils in first-half stoppage time, finding the net from 25 yards with a sumptuous, dipping volley.

Source: Fifa.com

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SPORTS: Townsend Sinks Villa, Sends Spurs Fifth

England breakthrough star Andros Townsend continued his fine form by inspiring Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-0 win at Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Sunday.

The 22-year-old winger, who starred as England booked their place at the FIFA World Cup™ earlier this week, scored the opening goal with a 31st-minute cross that crept past Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Roberto Soldado added a second after half-time as Spurs moved up to fifth place in the table, three points below leaders Arsenal, and began to atone for their shock 3-0 home defeat by West Ham United.

Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor put a half-volley over the bar from an early Leandro Bacuna cross, but heavy rain made for a slippery surface and the game suffered as a result.

Sandro shot straight at Guzan from 30 yards and Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had to scramble away a free-kick from Ashley Westwood, before the visitors made the breakthrough.

Townsend claimed the goal, but it owed to a certain degree of good fortune. Picking up the ball wide on the right, he cut onto his left foot and attempted to pick out a team-mate in the centre, but his cross eluded both Holtby and Soldado, only to sneak in at the far post.

Andreas Weimann flashed a shot just wide as Villa pushed for an equaliser, but Spurs came close to going 2-0 up in first-half stoppage time when Guzan produced a smart low stop to thwart Townsend.

Another fine save from the American prevented Paulinho from doubling the visitors' advantage early in the second period and the introduction of Benteke gave Villa further reason for optimism.

The burly Belgian international planted a header from a Bacuna cross narrowly over the bar shortly after coming on, but five minutes later, Spurs struck again.

Paulinho's intelligent first-time pass freed Soldado and the Spain striker took a touch before lifting the ball over Guzan to claim his third league goal in a Spurs shirt.

Villa's fight faded, but Townsend refused to leave them in peace. He dispatched a curler that cleared the crossbar by millimetres and then flashed a ball across the face of goal that Paulinho was unable to convert.

Fifa.com

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