Premier League round-up: Villa up to third
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Aston Villa moved into the top three of the Premier League as a Lucas Neill own goal handed the Villans a 1-0 victory over West Ham at Upton Park.
Martin O'Neill's young English players have given Villa fans real hope of breaking into the top four, but an American veteran in goal is also playing his part.
Summer signing Brad Friedel produced a string of top-class saves from Craig Bellamy, Carlton Cole and Calum Davenport to deny West Ham a possible match-winning position, leaving him saluted by his boss as an all-time great.
England winger Ashley Young struck the post after being gifted possession by Scott Parker as the visitors had the best of the chances in the first 45 minutes.
But Hammers' hitman Bellamy regularly tormented the Villa backline with his pace, forcing Friedel into a fine low save.
Friedel also parried a long-range effort from Valon Behrami after Curtis Davies had given the ball away cheaply.
Cole had good opportunity in the 64th minute but his first shot was blocked by Luke Young, then Friedel produced a reflex save to stop the second.
The match looked set for a goalless stalemate but James Milner's hopeful backpost ball caught Neill on 78 minutes to deflect wickedly over the wrong-footed Robert Green.
Friedel then saved a close-range effort from Davenport to keep all three points.
The victory saw O'Neill's men leapfrogged Manchester United in the table, while the Hammers' fifth defeat in six matches on their home turf keeps them just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
Elsewhere in Premier League on Saturday:
Related links:
Also see:
Technorati tags:Soccer news Football news Premier League Aston Villa
Martin O'Neill's young English players have given Villa fans real hope of breaking into the top four, but an American veteran in goal is also playing his part.
Summer signing Brad Friedel produced a string of top-class saves from Craig Bellamy, Carlton Cole and Calum Davenport to deny West Ham a possible match-winning position, leaving him saluted by his boss as an all-time great.
England winger Ashley Young struck the post after being gifted possession by Scott Parker as the visitors had the best of the chances in the first 45 minutes.
But Hammers' hitman Bellamy regularly tormented the Villa backline with his pace, forcing Friedel into a fine low save.
Friedel also parried a long-range effort from Valon Behrami after Curtis Davies had given the ball away cheaply.
Cole had good opportunity in the 64th minute but his first shot was blocked by Luke Young, then Friedel produced a reflex save to stop the second.
The match looked set for a goalless stalemate but James Milner's hopeful backpost ball caught Neill on 78 minutes to deflect wickedly over the wrong-footed Robert Green.
Friedel then saved a close-range effort from Davenport to keep all three points.
The victory saw O'Neill's men leapfrogged Manchester United in the table, while the Hammers' fifth defeat in six matches on their home turf keeps them just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
Elsewhere in Premier League on Saturday:
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Related links:
Also see:
- Premier League round-up: Young seals incredible win for Villa
- Blackburn axe Paul Ince
- Fernando Torres named most popular player in Premier League
- Sunderland confirm Roy Keane departure
Technorati tags:Soccer news Football news Premier League Aston Villa
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