Cardiff City and Aston Villa couldn't muster a goal on Tuesday, but it wasn't for lack of chances. Both teams had several opportunities to find a match-winner, but some shoddy finishing and remarkable goalkeeping combined to leave both teams disappointed in their 0-0 draw.
Cardiff City vs. Aston Villa: Final score 0-0, Missed chances result in split points
David Marshall was sensational late on to earn Cardiff a point.
Stu Forster
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The Bluebirds were on the front foot early on, but they didn't manage much in the way of chances. Some fine last ditch defending by Villa -- especially by the excellent Ron Vlaar -- kept them from getting their shots to Brad Guzan and by the second half, the match had evened out.
Villa finally found some semblance of competence after the break and the chances began to come. Marc Albrighton had a good look at goal, but sent it directly at David Marshall, while Fabian Delph was also denied by the Cardiff goalkeeper, albeit on a better shot. Villa almost went in front on a gorgeous backheel by Christian Benteke gave Gabby Agbonlahor a clear cut look at goal, but he wasted it and the chance was wasted.
Every once in a while, Cardiff would also get a decent look, but they missed the frame on one attempt and Guzan made a fine save to deny them another time. In reality, their chances had already passed them by in the scoreless first half and they were playing for a draw by the second 45 minutes.
As the match neared its end, Villa got two more chances, but Marshall stole the spotlight. First, he made an excellent save to turn Ashley Westwood away then, in the second minute of stoppage time, he made a spectacular save on Andi Weimann (WATCH). Marshall had put his cape on and robbed Aston Villa.
In the end, a draw proved to be a fair result, even if the end made it feel like Cardiff had stolen a point. Villa were atrocious in the early going so they can’t cry robbery as they split points.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Turner, Theopile-Catherine, Caulker, John, Noone, Mutch (Eikrem 32’), Zaha (Daehill 61’), Medel, Campbell, Jones.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Betrand, Baker, Vlaar, Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Bennett (Weimann 70’), Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Benteke.
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