Weekend Footy Round-up

VILLA CLOSE IN ON EUROPE AS BLUES CLING TO PREM

28-04-2008

John Carew’s late equaliser earned battling Villa a point at Everton yesterday, keeping alive their hopes of UEFA Cup qualification. Blues Premiership place still hangs in the balance, though, after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Completing a trio of draws, it was honours even for play-off hopefuls Wolves at Coventry.

Martin O’Neill’s bold substitutions proved decisive after his team fell behind to a rare Phil Neville goal early in the second half at Goodison.

The Villa boss threw on striker Marlon Harewood and attacking midfielder Patrik Berger for defenders Zat Knight and Wilfred Bouma and ordered his team on the offensive.

The plan worked as Agbonlahor brought his team level – only to spark a three goal scoring spree in the space of ten minutes.

Yobo restored Everton’s advantage before Carew equalised again.

The result leaves Villa just three points behind the fifth placed Toffees with two to play – and as Everton’s next game is away at Arsenal, O’Neill’s side can’t be written off.

Much the same can be said of Blues – albeit at the other end of the table - after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Disappointment at squandering a two goal advantage - courtesy of Forssell and Larsson - has to be tempered by the knowledge that the Reds had 67% of the possession.

The truth is that a point is a decent outcome, notwithstanding the disappointment of allowing the visitors back into the game.

With Fulham away and Blackburn at home to come, all is not lost at St Andrews, especially as Blues just one point from safety. Win both matches, and they'll surely be safe.

Wolves are still in sight of a play-off place after their 1-1 draw at Coventry – Sylvain Ebanks Blake netting a second half equaliser to keep their chances alive.

A home game against mid-table, nothing to play for Plymouth should guarantee three points at a packed Molineux next Sunday, with the hope that either Palace or Watford will slip up. Given the Hornets recent flaky form, there's every reason to be optmistic.

Blimey, it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that the West Midlands could have four Premiership teams next season.

Oh yes - Walsall lost 2-0 at Huddersfield as their anti-climactic season winds down