Aston Villa’s Champions League hopes suffered another setback on Sunday when they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Tottenham.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill whisked his players away to Dubai last week to recharge their batteries but they looked to be running on empty as goals from Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent hammered a dent into Villa’s ambitions of a top four finish.
John Carew produced a late consolation but Villa have only secured two league wins on their own turf since December and the optimism that had been building so steadily towards the end of last year is evaporating with each passing week.
PHOTO: AFP
This damaging defeat leaves Villa in fifth place, with an inferior goal difference behind Arsenal, and O’Neill must be growing increasingly worried at the alarming transformation of his side. It was only a month ago that hopes of the title were being spoken of in hushed tones around this particular corner of the West Midlands but now even a fifth place finish is under threat.
It was sweet revenge for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp on his return to the ground where earlier this season he was hit by a coin thrown by a Villa supporter, while in charge of previous club Portsmouth.
“I’m bitterly disappointed,” O’Neill said. “It’s still possible for us to finish fourth, though recent form doesn’t suggest so. I genuinely believe we’re capable but more importantly the players feel that as well. It doesn’t look as if we can do it but we’ve got nine games to go and plenty of points to play for.”
Redknapp can smell survival.
“I think we’ll need another two wins to stay up but I’ve been delighted with the players. We’ve got 33 points from my 21 games and that is a very good return,” he said.
The first goal was always going to prove crucial. Neither of these sides had lost a league game this season in which they have opened the scoring.
And just as the masses of Villa fans in the giant Holte End began to bait Redknapp, they were swiftly silenced when the visitors took a fourth minute lead.
Aaron Lennon’s cross from the right caught Brad Friedel in two minds and the goalkeeper’s attempted punch went awry, presenting Jenas with a simple header from four yards.
“Champions League, you’re having a laugh,” was the inevitable taunt from the visiting supporters.
Redknapp wants to be in Villa’s position next season but his mission for this campaign is rather more humble, with Premier League survival his only remit. They were forced to weather a substantial storm after taking such an early lead with Didier Zokora enduring a nightmare afternoon at the hands of Ashley Young, the England international winger.
Young tormented Zokora for large spells in the first half, before the makeshift defender was put out of misery by being substituted, but just could not deliver the killer cross.
Stiliyan Petrov drilled over while Gareth Barry forced a smart reflex save from the mercurial Heurelho Gomes in the 12th minute.
Spurs finally carved out another opportunity two minutes before half-time when an excellent flicked pass from Jenas released Luka Modric in the area and the Croatian’s fierce shot was palmed away by Friedel.
But Villa’s frustrations only increased in injury time when Emile Heskey rose majestically to head Barry’s volleyed cross against the crossbar. Indeed, there was a sense of sheer disbelief that Villa had failed to make their complete dominance count.
Disbelief became incredulity four minutes into the second half when Spurs added a second. Wilson Palacios’ shot was saved by Friedel, but Robbie Keane pounced to beat the Villa keeper, with Bent scraping the ball over the goalline just to make sure.
Substitute Carew headed a James Milner cross into the top corner with six minutes remaining but there was to be no grandstand finish.
For Villa, the result was about as depressing as the next two fixtures: Trips to Liverpool and Manchester United await.AFP, BIRMINGHAM, England
Aston Villa’s Champions League hopes suffered another setback on Sunday when they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Tottenham.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill whisked his players away to Dubai last week to recharge their batteries but they looked to be running on empty as goals from Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent hammered a dent into Villa’s ambitions of a top four finish.
John Carew produced a late consolation but Villa have only secured two league wins on their own turf since December and the optimism that had been building so steadily towards the end of last year is evaporating with each passing week.
This damaging defeat leaves Villa in fifth place, with an inferior goal difference behind Arsenal, and O’Neill must be growing increasingly worried at the alarming transformation of his side. It was only a month ago that hopes of the title were being spoken of in hushed tones around this particular corner of the West Midlands but now even a fifth place finish is under threat.
It was sweet revenge for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp on his return to the ground where earlier this season he was hit by a coin thrown by a Villa supporter, while in charge of previous club Portsmouth.
“I’m bitterly disappointed,” O’Neill said. “It’s still possible for us to finish fourth, though recent form doesn’t suggest so. I genuinely believe we’re capable but more importantly the players feel that as well. It doesn’t look as if we can do it but we’ve got nine games to go and plenty of points to play for.”
Redknapp can smell survival.
“I think we’ll need another two wins to stay up but I’ve been delighted with the players. We’ve got 33 points from my 21 games and that is a very good return,” he said.
The first goal was always going to prove crucial. Neither of these sides had lost a league game this season in which they have opened the scoring.
And just as the masses of Villa fans in the giant Holte End began to bait Redknapp, they were swiftly silenced when the visitors took a fourth minute lead.
Aaron Lennon’s cross from the right caught Brad Friedel in two minds and the goalkeeper’s attempted punch went awry, presenting Jenas with a simple header from four yards.
“Champions League, you’re having a laugh,” was the inevitable taunt from the visiting supporters.
Redknapp wants to be in Villa’s position next season but his mission for this campaign is rather more humble, with Premier League survival his only remit. They were forced to weather a substantial storm after taking such an early lead with Didier Zokora enduring a nightmare afternoon at the hands of Ashley Young, the England international winger.
Young tormented Zokora for large spells in the first half, before the makeshift defender was put out of misery by being substituted, but just could not deliver the killer cross.
Stiliyan Petrov drilled over while Gareth Barry forced a smart reflex save from the mercurial Heurelho Gomes in the 12th minute.
Spurs finally carved out another opportunity two minutes before half-time when an excellent flicked pass from Jenas released Luka Modric in the area and the Croatian’s fierce shot was palmed away by Friedel.
But Villa’s frustrations only increased in injury time when Emile Heskey rose majestically to head Barry’s volleyed cross against the crossbar. Indeed, there was a sense of sheer disbelief that Villa had failed to make their complete dominance count.
Disbelief became incredulity four minutes into the second half when Spurs added a second. Wilson Palacios’ shot was saved by Friedel, but Robbie Keane pounced to beat the Villa keeper, with Bent scraping the ball over the goalline just to make sure.
Substitute Carew headed a James Milner cross into the top corner with six minutes remaining but there was to be no grandstand finish.
For Villa, the result was about as depressing as the next two fixtures: Trips to Liverpool and Manchester United await.
English Premier League
Team | P | GD | Pts | |
1 | Man Utd | 28 | 33 | 65 |
2 | Chelsea | 29 | 33 | 61 |
3 | Liverpool | 29 | 28 | 61 |
4 | Arsenal | 29 | 19 | 52 |
5 | Aston Villa | 29 | 12 | 52 |
6 | Everton | 29 | 10 | 48 |
7 | West Ham | 28 | 0 | 39 |
8 | Wigan | 29 | 1 | 38 |
9 | Fulham | 29 | 2 | 37 |
10 | Man City | 29 | 8 | 35 |
11 | Tottenham | 29 | 1 | 35 |
12 | Bolton | 29 | -12 | 33 |
13 | Hull | 29 | -16 | 33 |
14 | Sunderland | 29 | -9 | 32 |
15 | Blackburn | 29 | -16 | 30 |
16 | Newcastle | 29 | -11 | 29 |
17 | Portsmouth | 28 | -15 | 29 |
18 | Stoke | 29 | -19 | 29 |
19 | Middlesbrough | 29 | -20 | 27 |
20 | West Brom | 28 | -29 | 22 |
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely