Bolton Vs. Aston Villa: A Failure Of Defense Gives Bolton The 3-2 Victory

An end-to-end match that thrilled neutrals, but Aston Villa fans (this one included) are walking away shaking their heads, frustrated by both their team's inability to put away easy chances and to defend against set pieces. Credit to Bolton Wanderers, however. As every announcer makes sure to state, this is a team that really believes in itself under Owen Coyle. Their attack never let up, and the 86th minute winner by Ivan Klasnic was a testimony to that sort of belief. Or, perhaps, simply an excellent shot by the substitute striker.

Darren Bent started the scoring in the fifteenth minute, although he should have given Aston Villa the lead in the third, electing instead to flub a one-on-one with Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Bent's goal came off a wonderfully placed cross by Kyle Walker, who easily beat Stuart Holden to send the ball into the area, leaving Bent with nothing to do but poke the ball in.

In a familiar story for Villa fans, Bolton equalized just before the break, off a corner sent in by Kevin Davies. Former Villa man Gary Cahill out-muscled young Nathan Baker to head the ball into the net. Bolton had just started getting into the attack and they were thrilled to take their halftime cuppa with the scoreline level.

The second half started with six -- yes six -- chances for Aston Villa to take the lead, but a magical forcefield and the wonderstops of Jaaskelainen prevented any of the balls from reaching the back of the net. It was Marc Albrighton that broke through the Bolton defense, grabbing a cross from Stewart Downing to bounce the ball past the keeper. It may not have been pretty, but comical is sometimes nice.

But Albrighton has never scored in a match that Aston Villa have gone on to win, and this match was certainly no exception. David Wheater stuck a shoulder into Ashley Young, prompting a whistle and a penalty kick. The Villa captain himself stepped up to take the penalty, but was put off by the psychological flappings of Jaaskelainen, missing his chance to possibly put the game out of reach for Bolton.

Instead it was the home side that ended up with all three points. Cahill grabbed his second on, what else, a corner kick. Holden sent in the corner with Cahill rising to meet it, but Brad Friedel made a brilliant stop to deny the defender. Unfortunately for Friedel, Cahill's reflexes were even quicker, as he caught the ball on the volley to send it into the net.

Bolton wasn't finished, however, demanding all three points and getting them -- without even needing a corner this time. Daniel Sturridge, who surprisingly did not score in this match, sent in a deep cross for Wheater to head out to Klasnic. The super sub laced the ball through the Villa defense and into the corner of the net for Bolton's winning goal.

Fair play to Bolton. Once their attack starts, they certainly don't stop, and they kept the pressure on the Villa defense. It must be said, however, that the Villa were without three of their center backs, with Luke Young filling in centrally and young Nathan Baker taking care of the left back role. Bolton capitalized on the weakness and came away taking sixth place in the Premier League.