1. After constantly witnessing Villa wilt away in the final stages of games and squander points this season (Villa should comfortably be mid-table, if they could carry 80 minute form to 90 minutes), it was great to see a never-say-die attitude.
It’s perhaps the first game, that recalls the infamous 3-2 win at Everton with Ashley Young’s injury-time winner. To seemingly squander the three points late-on, only to snatch them back with a dazzling goal.
2. Matthew Lowton’s goal – both the quality and timing of it – is a huge turning point in Villa’s fortunes. A game changer and a massive lift in spirits for all Villa fans with six games to go.
3. This time Nathan Baker’s guaranteed error (this time a handball in the box) and injury (ball in the face) per game, went unpunished. When he learns to read the game, he should be a top defender with his courage and spirit.
4. The fact that all the fans who slag off Villa’s young players before giving them a proper chance, are slowly being proved wrong. Bennett, Lowton, Bowery, Baker and Westwood all had decent games against Stoke. Oh, and that Benteke fellow who took some stick at the start of the season, he turned out all right, didn’t he?
5. Villa are now three points up on the end of season prediction we did, that had Villa surviving anyway. Other results largely went Villa’s way this weekend with Sunderland now below us…shame O’Neil isn’t still their manager. Win against Fulham and it’s up the football league table we go!
UTV
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