Aston Villa v Derby 24/08/96 3.00Aston Villa (1) 2 Derby (0) 0 FT Joachim 19 Johnson 47 (pen) Tommy Johnson demonstrated there is still a place for good, old-fashioned virtues of honest sweat and toil as he plunged his old club Derby to their first Premiership defeat of the season. Aston Villa's 25 year old gingernut from Newcastle added spice to this renewal of Midlands rivalry after a five year absence, setting up the first for Julian Joachim and then converting the second himself after winning the 46th minute penalty. With a bit more luck, the industrious Johnson, one of Brian Little's astutest buys at £1.9 million from the Baseball Ground in January last year, could have easily had a hat-trick. The obligatory foreigners were to the fore as usual. Villa returning Serbian Sasa Curcic to the Premiership where he shone in Bolton's demise last season, while Croats Igor Stimac and Aljosa Asanovic kept Derby battling. But, rarely, this was a game to warm Glenn Hoddle's heart, although Gareth Southgate continued his magnificent response to this summer's heartbreak while both Alan Wright and Mark Draper pushed claims the England coach will find hard to resist in future. Their domination left the next 10 months looking ominous for Jim Smith's side, who have three times given their opponents a start in the first eight days of their top flight comeback. Against Leeds and Tottenham, resilience was rewarded with late points but this time there was no way back. An early enforced change did the trick for Brian Little, who lost Dwight Yorke when he stumbled over an excellent early opening created by Johnson. He made way for Joachim in the 14th minute and within an instant the quick, little player had scored, racing through as Johnson flicked on a long clearance, hooking the ball over Russell Hoult as he dashed to the edge of his area. Plagued by injury since his £1.5 million signing from Leicester last season, it was only his second goal for the club. Only an excellent snatch by Hoult off the toe of Joachim in the 26th minute prevented it becoming a steeper mountain for Derby to climb while 32 year old Paul Parker, on a free transfer from Manchester United, showed the value of experience in foxing Johnson when caught one-on-one. Oakes, still standing in for Bosnich, scrambled an awkward 25 yard free kick from Asanovic round the post but Derby always looked second best to last season's surprise team. Johnson was within inches of a memorable goal when he traded passes with Wright and hoisted a 20 yarder against the crossbar in the 44th minute. And he picked up where he left off after the break, racing forward to meet Joachim's tempting cross only to be sent sprawling by Jacob Laursen. The Dane was disgusted when Paul Alcock pointed to the spot but Johnson dusted himself off and drilled the penalty past a deceived Hoult. Oakes pawed aside Asanovic's well-struck 25 yarder as Derby looked for a way back, while Staunton blocked from substitute Marco Gabbiadini when he looked certain to score on the hour. But Villa finished easy winners, Hoult sweeping one chance off Joachim's toe and then reprieved when he shot wide of a gaping goal in the 81st minute. 
Aston Villa: Oakes, Curcic (Nelson, 79), Staunton, Southgate, Wright, Ehiogu, Townsend, Taylor, Draper, Yorke (Joachim, 14), Johnson. Subs not used: McGrath, Scimeca, Rachel. Derby: Hoult, Rowett (Van Der Laan (Gabbiadini, 56), 17), C. Powell, D. Powell, Parker, Stimac, Dailly, Flynn, Laursen, Asanovic, Willems (Simpson, 73). Subs not used: Carsley, Taylor. Booked: Parker, D. Powell, Stimac. Attendance: 34,646. Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill). |
