In all the pre-season excitement I’ve been neglecting those teams already plunged into competitive action in Europe. Here’s my scout notes on City’s UEFA Cup win over EB/Streymur and Villa’s draw in Odense in Sunday’s Intertoto clash.
UEFA Cup First Qualifying Round 1st Leg
EB/Streymur 0 Man City 2
City got their UEFA Cup campaign underway with a comfortable win against their part-time opposition from the Faroe Islands. Petrov paved the way to victory, slamming home Vassell’s cross after a clever dummy by Johnson. Ten minutes later Hamann fired home a second after a Petrov corner was half cleared.
Hughes team selection saw Jo handed a full debut up front. Interestingly, the Brazilian was given the role of the lone striker ahead of Benjani. We know that Jo prefers the role of a support striker but on this evidence it appears he’ll be asked to lead the City attack with the likes of Johnson, Ireland and Elano bombing forward. Talking of Elano, he was left on the bench here which will be a concern for his potential fantasy suitors. In defence both Onuoha and Richards played their first games since returning from shoulder and knee injuries respectively. In truth though, they were rarely troubled in this game.
Jo’s performance was fairly encouraging but it was Petrov who particularly caught the eye. Once again the Bulgarian is placed as a mid-price option and in this game he reminded us just how effective he can be. If Jo and Benjani can find their scoring boots then Petrov should bring in plenty of assists this term.
City will play the second leg at Oakwell, home of Barnsley on Tuesday July 31st.
Man City vs EB/Streymur :
Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Ireland, Hamann (Fernandes 74), Johnson, Petrov, Vassell, Jo (Evans 74).
Intertoto Cup Third Round 1st Leg
Odense 2 Aston Villa 2
Two away goals and a draw in Denmark but it could have been so much better for Villa who lead 2-1 with seconds remaining.
Carew gave Villa the lead, tucking away a rebound after Young’s shot had been charged down. Then Sidwell had the misfortune to register an own goal on his full Villa debut. He deflected Haaland’s cross past a stranded Taylor in goal. Laursen then restored Villa’s lead, once again highlighting his threat and Villa’s prowess from set-pieces. My selection stats reveal that Villa scored 25 times from set-pieces last season and here, in pre-season, they are already at it again. Young provided the cross from the free-kick and Laursen rose high to head home.
Laursen almost added a third from a Young corner minutes later, before Christensen pounced to level the tie in the 90th minute. Despite the disappointing end to the tie, Villa will clearly go into Saturday’s second leg as favourites. O’Neil takes his side to Walsall tonight as he strives to improve fitness prior to that game.
There were no real surprises in Villa’s lineup with Barry left out of the side with speculation still surrounding his future although a foot injury was cited as the reason behind his omission. Sidwell slotted straight into midfield in place of Barry, with Petrov and Reo-Coker alongside him. Gardner got the right-back spot, while Taylor replaced Carson in goal who has since returned to Liverpool and been sold on to West Brom.
Aston Villa vs Odense :
Taylor, Gardner, Bouma, Laursen, Knight, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Young. Petrov, Agbonlahor, Carew.