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Aston Villa made history today with a 1-0 win against Millwall. This team have truly done something special.
Words by Harry Trend (@HazaTrand)
Aston Villa made it ten wins from ten for the first time ever after Johnathan Kodjia’s 30th minute goal.
The Pride could’ve easily scored more than the solitary goal, but 30 points from 30 is an excellent return for Dean Smiths side, a side which some wrote off just earlier this year.
Villa dominated possession in the early stages and kept Millwall in their own half. Jack Grealish’s corner flew over Lions keeper David Martin but Anwar El Ghazi headed over at the back post.
However, Millwall were the first team to work the opposition goalkeeper, Jed Wallace’s drive was palmed away for a corner by Jed Steer.
After 28 minutes Villa had their best chance of the game so far. Johnathan Kodjia was played in by a mis-hit back pass from Shane Ferguson, but the Ivorian couldn’t beat Martin.
Nevertheless, Kodjia more than made up for it moments later. The Villa striker capped off a fine passing move by tapping in El Ghazi’s square ball at the near post.
As a whole Villa’s build-up play looked tidy, with Jack Grealish and Glenn Whelan knitting some neat passes together. At the other end, Tyrone Mings made two brave blocks to deny Ben Marshall.
In the second half, Kodjia’s step overs allowed him to glide in between two Millwall defenders, however his shot was flicked wide.
Then substitute Andre Green received a pass from Jack Grealish prior to beating the full back on the outside. Unfortunately for the winger, he took the ball too wide and could only lash the ball against the side netting. Soon after Green returned the favour by laying it off to Grealish, but his effort was saved by the legs of Martin.
Things were looking pretty comfortable for Villa, but at 1-0 Millwall were always in the game.
And they demonstrated that when Jake Cooper headed wide from a free kick with Steer in no mans land.
Grealish had another chance when he drove forward from midfield, but his shot was deflected wide.
Then El Ghazi cut in from the left before unleashing a shot which Martin parried away.
It seemed Villa were about to be punished for their missed chances when Lee Gregory hooked over a half volley from a corner.
Last Friday Max O’Leary had an excellent game in the opposition goal, and Martin was having a quality one this afternoon. The Millwall keeper had tipped over Green’s volley on the spin prior to foiling El Ghazi low down after the Dutchman found himself one on one.
Nevertheless, Villa managed the latter stages of the game well and go into Sunday’s game against Leeds sky high on confidence.
