Aston Villa - Sheffield
Wednesday 2-1 (0-1)
Merson 69 (Joachim), Taylor 82 (Merson); De Bilde 20p.
Team details
| Aston Villa: | James, Ehiogu, Southgate, Barry, Watson, Taylor, Boateng, Merson, Wright (Joachim, 39), Dublin (Calderwood, 86), Carbone (Vassell, 81) |
| Substitutes not used: | Stone, Cutler |
| Booked: | Taylor |
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| Sheffield Wednesday: | Srnicek, Atherton, Walker, Thome, Nolan, Alexandersson, Jonk (Sibon, 82), Quinn (Haslam, 56), Sonner, De Bilde, Booth |
| Substitutes not used: | Cresswell, Nicolson, Pressman |
| Booked: | Sonner, Quinn |
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| Attendance: | 23,885 |
| Referee: | S Bennett (Orpington) |
Carlingnet match report
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 Dublin is stretchered off with his head restrained, inches from ending up paralyzed for the rest of his life. Image copyright © Sporting Life, 1999 |
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Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pavel Srnicek saved two penalties but still finished on the losing side as former Owls midfielder Ian Taylor grabbed a late winner to end Aston Villa's three-month run without a Premiership win.
Srnicek kept out spot-kicks from Dion Dublin and Paul Merson but it was not enough to stop Villa grabbing the three points which eased the pressure on manager John Gregory.
Gregory had admitted himself that this game was ``as big as it gets'' and how his side responded, despite falling behind to a penalty from Gilles de Bilde.
His side totally dominated proceedings and only the heroics of Srnicek kept them at bay.
The Midlanders attacked incessantly with Merson inspirational in the middle of the park.
There were no tantrums or rantings from the England midfielder when he struggled to earn a place in the side earlier in the season and against Wednesday he showed what an asset he can be when on song.
Centre-back Gareth Barry also had an excellent game, particularly when he ventured forward, while Taylor and George Boateng dug deep in midfield.
Villa will now be looking to kick-start their Premiership season back into life after collecting just three points from the previous nine games.
But for Wednesday they remain anchored on six points at the bottom of the table and they could have no complaints about the outcome.
Villa began in confident fashion and Srnicek was soon in the thick of the action tipping over a swerving 30-yard effort from Gareth Barry.
A mistake by Srnicek then almost cost his side as his poor clearance was turned back into the patch of Carbone.
He tried to catch out the Czech keeper with his first-time effort from 30 yards but Srnicek redeemed himself by parrying away the shot.
Another long range effort - from Ugo Ehiogu - was turned over the bar as the Owls were seldom out of their own half in the first 20 minutes.
But they then stunned the home side by grabbing the lead in what was just about their first meaningful forage into the Villa penalty area.
Danny Sonner was brought down by Ehiogu and referee Steve Bennett instantly pointed to the penalty spot.
De Bilde was coolness personified as he drove the ball low and hard into the corner of the net away to the left of Villa keeper David James.
Villa tried to retaliate and they came within inches to getting back on level terms within 90 seconds.
Paul Merson's right-wing free-kick picked out Dion Dublin at the near post and his powerful header beat Srnicek but cannoned off a post.
Gregory's side were literally handed the chance to get back on terms in the 33rd minute from the second penalty of the game. But that man Srnicek kept the Owls in front with a splendid save.
Alan Quinn conceded the penalty when he handled a flick from Dublin aimed in the direction of Merson.
Up stepped 13-goal Dublin but, although his shot contained plenty of power, Srnicek was able to beat out his rising effort.
Gregory decided a change of tactics was necessary and five minutes before half-time he switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 with defender Alan Wright substituted and striker Julian Joachim brought on in a midfield role.
Srnicek again earned his spurs in first-half injury-time when he got down to push aside a low effort from Dublin after Carbone had laid the ball back into his path.
Villa started the second half in the same manner as the first - on the offensive - and a run and cross from Merson picked out Dublin but his powerful header flew well wide.
It was Wednesday who came close to increasing their lead in the 51st minute with what was, apart from de Bilde's spot-kick, their first shot on target.
Niclas Alexandersson threaded the ball into the path of de Bilde and his first-time shot forced James to save low to his left.
There was now an increasing desperation and less composure about Villa's efforts to salvage an equaliser as the Wednesday defence held firm.
But they finally got back on level terms in the 69th minute after Wednesday had missed a great chance to double their lead.
Alexandersson was sent clear of the Villa defence by Wim Jonk but he blazed his shot over the bar.
It proved costly for the Owls for within 60 seconds Villa were level.
Joachim found Merson in space and he had time to steady himself before curling a 20-yard drive past the despairing dive of Srnicek.
Villa then took a grip on proceedings and the woodwork rescued the visitors when Carbone's 25-yard free-kick smashed against a post.
Then Wednesday conceded a second penalty when Emerson Thome was adjudged to have held down Dublin.
This time Merson stepped forward but again Srnicek was equal to the task as he dived to his right to push the spot-kick aside.
It looked as if Wednesday would hold out but with eight minutes left Merson crossed from the right and Taylor stole in to head home.
Wednesday staged a late rally and James made a brilliant late save to block a close-range effort from Andy Booth - but that would have been an injustice to the home side.
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