I don't normally believe this myself but two men can definitely make a team all by themselves, for Aston Villa they've got to be Barry Bannan and Gabriel Agbonlahor.Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan Athletic
A Gabriel Agbonlahor brace ensured a second victory in the 2011/12 campaign for Aston Villa and first home win over Wigan Athletic in seven years.
I'm sure when Barry Bannan made his Premier League debut last season against West Ham United he wouldn't have thought that just a season later he'd be making the headlines. Himself and Agbonlahor reached new heights in yesterday's 2-0 win as they produced out-of-this-world performances to create several scoring chances.
I'm also confident in writing that Gabby wouldn't have thought after an injury wrecked, destroyed campaign on the left wing last year that under Alex McLeish he could possibly be Villa's top scorer and back to his best form. Arguably the best he's ever been.
The game started in the way that most fans would have expected, unfortunately to say, with the visitors on top for a mere 5 or so minutes. The back four conceding 3 sloppy corners consecutively; unable to clear their lines and break free.
Aston Villa then began to find their feet, moving the ball elegantly at times around the park as they did last season, eventually finding room to feed the ball to Agbonlahor who was then greeted by an elbow. A free kick was given in our favour allowing Barry Bannan to curl a peach of a cross into the path of injury free Darren Bent.The striker headed just over as Villa started to look more in control and comfortable on the ball.
Chances came and went for the claret and blue's however failed to smash the back of the net.
The breakthrough arrived after Stephen Warnock dispossessed Mohamed Diamé before feeding Bannan. The Scotsman - Villa's most creative player on the field, full of running and energy - clipped the ball onto the left channel into the left channel for an on running Gabby who skipped inside his marker to then fire a right-footed shot into the top corner. Al Habsi stranded. A complete republica of his goal against Blackburn, the Birmingham born lad celebrated with creator Bannan.
Going into half time Aston Villa lead, much to fans relief.
Incidents came by, most importantly the penalty appeal from Franco Di Santo. Involving Alan Hutton once more, after last weekend's controvercy.
James McArthur, had his pocket picked in the lead-up to Villa's second goal, when Agbonlahor robbed him before beating Emmerson Boyce and crossing for Bent to tap home.
A good day in the office for McLeish and his army.
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