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Press article:

Solano's presence vital link for Villa - 02/02/2004

It might have been an aberration or more likely the start of a rehabilitation, but Aston Villa scored as many goals in 18 minutes at Walkers Stadium on Saturday as they did in their previous ten away matches put together.

If that fact says a lot about their miserable away form prior to this victory, it says more about the new-found confidence of Peter Crouch and Darius Vassell and the elegant splendour of Nolberto Solano. It also says much about the shambles that is Leicester City. Two goals apiece by Crouch and Vassell, one by Dion Dublin and an assurance that went right through the team made this one of those occasions upon which people might look back and say that this was when it all changed for Villa.

 

It was not so much the result - defeating Leicester is hardly an achievement these days - it was the presence of Solano that did most to create a feeling of health about this Villa team.

Solano, signed by David O'Leary from Newcastle United last week, could not have picked a better day on which to make his debut although, given his control and sweeping passes from the right flank, he would have performed well no matter what the opposition.

 

Suddenly, the days of onedimensional football seem over and players such as Crouch, Vassell, Gavin McCann, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Gareth Barry can revel in the space that the class of Solano provides. Hitzlsperger was particularly impressive and seemed to relish the presence of Solano. "For £1.5 million, Nobby is a real bargain," O'Leary said. "I think he will prove to be a really valuable player for us over the years and the fans will love him."

 

Will? They already do, even if Solano failed to understand the protocol that, when you are taking a corner and they sing for you to wave, you wave. It was just about the only thing he got wrong. He inspired Villa and ensured that Crouch and Vassell felt a bit better about themselves.

 

Their response was ruthless and Ian Walker, the Leicester goal-keeper who wrestled with a home supporter who ran on to the pitch, had a wretched afternoon.

 

O'Leary said: "It was just one of those days where clinical finishing decided it. It was the difference between the two teams. I have been waiting and the Villa fans have been waiting. We need more of that and, if they produce it, it will help us a great deal." The first goal came in the 50th minute, the fifth in the 68th minute, and the three in between emphasised the difference between the teams.

Vassell scored the first, latching on to a pass by Barry to place the ball beyond the flailing arms of Walker and into the far corner.

The second came from Crouch who had not previously scored in the Premiership since May 2002. Diving in at the far post and taking a kick in the face, Crouch headed the ball home after a fine cross by Hitzlsperger.

The third was an instinctive left-footed shot by Vassell on the turn and was a timely reminder of his desire to secure a place in the England squad for the European Championships in Portugual in June.

The fourth was the one that best summed up Dion Dublin. A free kick by Hitzlsperger seemed to be drifting out for a goal kick, yet Dublin somehow steered the ball just in time for Walker to push it into the goal.

The fifth was the finest of the afternoon. A series of quick passes ended with Mark Delaney crossing from the right for Crouch to control the ball on the turn and score with a low shot.

 

"It was embarrassing, to say the least," Micky Adams, the Leicester manager, said after staging a meeting with his players.

It is hard to imagine Crouch scoring his second had he not scored his first, yet this was proof of the value of belief. For somebody so tall - he is 6ft 7in - he boasts fine control, if not quite the dominance in the air that one might expect. That will come; he is, after all, only 23.

His revival has come at a good time for O'Leary, whose squad is diminishing by the week. Many players are injured, some are playing through the pain barrier and McCann is out for nearly two months through suspension.

His close-range volley struck the underside of the bar and he again impressed in the centre of midfield. He will never be more missed than when Villa play Birmingham City at home in three weeks.

O'Leary can reflect on a job well done and assess where Villa go from here. With Solano on board, it should be up the table, but no team is more unpredictable thjan Villa.

 

One thing is certain: there are those footballers who fit comfortably into any team but it is only the genius who can do so by concealing the effort. Nolberto Solano is such a player.

Birmingham Post


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