West Bromwich Albion 2 - Aston Villa 2

Date:	Saturday 19th January 2013
Competition:	Barclays Premier League
WBA: 6.0	(4-2-3-1) Foster 7.0, Jones 5.7, McAuley 6.5, Olsson 5.3, Ridgewell 4.4, Yacob 4.8 (Thomas, 36 7.8), Brunt 6.2 (Thorne, 94 5.2), Odemwingie 7.4, Morrison 5.5, Dorrans 6.9 (Rosenberg, 82 5.4), Lukaku 6.5 Unused subs: Myhill, Popov, Dawson, Tamas Manager: Steve Clarke 5.8
Villa: 5.9	(4-3-3) Guzan, Baker (Lichaj, 5), Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, Lowton, Delph (Bannan, 53), Westwood, N'Zogbia (Holman, 66), Benteke, Agbonlahor Unused subs: Marshall, Ireland, Bent, Bowery
Scorers:	Brunt (49), Odemwingie (83); Benteke (12), Agbonlahor (31)
Referee:	Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 6.1
Attendance:	25,583   Home Fans 7.0   Away Fans 5.5

Summary:

In a match that summarised the cliche "a game of two halves" Albion came from two goals down to earn a point against old rivals Aston Villa at the Hawthorns. Claudio Yacob returned to action after being out with injury since the Arsenal game, but looked well off the pace in a first half dominated by Villa. First Christian Benteke put away a fine strike from the corner of the area, then Gabriel Agbonlagor finished after a series of passes had torn the Albion defence apart.

Steve Clarke responded by taking Yacob off before half time and bringing on Jerome Thomas, and the decision turned the game back in Albion's favour. After the break, Chris Brunt pulled one goal back with a superb strike from distance after Romelu Lukaku set him up, and with nine minutes left Peter Odemwingie levelled the scores from close range after Gareth McAuley's header. Albion had many more chances but wasted them and ended up grateful to Ben Foster for two outstanding saves to take the point.

Albion sneak up to 6th equal on points but eighth on goal difference while the point lifts Villa just out of the bottom three... for now.

Bobby Hope:

Well certainly a game of two halves! The positive we pulled it back, the negative we should never have been in that position at half time - a terrible defensive performance. SC will no doubt be focusing on our defensive frailties after last week and this performance. Popov should have played, in my opinion, especially after Ridgewells performance last week. Good substitution by SC bringing Thomas on, whose appetite for the game has been rekindled following his sojourn at Leeds. I have to say Bentekes' strike was superb but he didn't exactly turn on a sixpence did he? And on a personal note I was so disappointed that Agbonlahor scored - what a low life he is.

On a positive note I was, again, impressed with Dorrans. I have always said that he needed a run in the team and he is proving that. I really hope he stays as he a what I call a true all round player - he can make killer passes, he can dribble and beat players, he has a great shot on him and he is one of the best tacklers in the team. I would actually play him instead of Brunt. Although credit where credit is due, Brunt's strike today was brilliant.

So lots of work to do between now and Everton away where we will need to be very much on our game defensively with the likes of Jelavic and Fellaini around.

I'd like to see another 20 points by the end of the season and I honestly think we will do that.

COYB!

Didcot Baggie:

The classic game of two halves, although were never at our best throughout. Judging by the comments around me at half-time, Steve Clarke was falling out of favour rapidly. Hopefully sense prevailed at full-time - he's doing a good job for us and gets it right more often than not (as our league position indicates). Having said that, it was a pity he decided to leave Popov the Albion Man on the bench and his love of bringing Rosenberg on has yet to pay dividends.

Foster was my MoM - his saves kept us in it - we could so easily have lost this game against a poor Villa side. As it is we finished with some pride and hopes of a better performance against Everton and Spurs. I for one will be hoping DR Congo go out of the African Cup of Nations quickly. We miss Mulumbu badly.