Sensational Sorensen saves 10 men Villa
By James
April 26 2004
Villa pulled off a fantastic last minute winner to foil Boro on their own patch. Rodney Trotter look-alike Peter Crouch was on hand to strike the winning goal with just over a minute to go as Villa managed a great victory 2-1 over the Cleveland outfit, despite playing with ten men for half an hour.

Villa’s Peruvian international – Nolberto Solano – was sent off after some potential BAFTA awarding winning drama from ex-Villan, or now Villain, George Boateng. The Dutch midfielder appeared to be slightly touched by Solano, however he went down like he had been shot, which resulted in the referee issuing a red card to the Peruvian.

Villa had a turn in fortunes compared to last weeks display against Newcastle, as this time they were the team hard to break down with a numerical disadvantage.

England International Darius Vassell had the first shot on goal in the match as he raced passed another ex-Villa man – Ugo Ehiogu – however he was denied by the legs of Australian ‘keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Villa ‘keeper Thomas Sorensen – who was inspirational throughout – kept Villa in the match in the second half and the first forty five was also no exception. He pulled off two fine and contrasting saves to deny George Boateng and Massimo Maccarone respectively. Boateng fired in a rasping shot; however Italian under 21 International Maccarone was foiled from a shorter distance.

Villa did create a few chances, however, when Solano’s shot was blocked and later Hitzlsperger’s volley was into the side netting.

The inevitable occurred just before the break nevertheless as Boro went into the lead thanks to a powered a drive into the top left hand corner from Joseph Desire Job, where this time Sorensen could do nothing.

Boro went into complacent mode shortly after and Villa were allowed to hit back almost immediately when Gareth Barry was presented with a free header from a Hitzlsperger free-kick. The England International duly obliged with the finish as he glanced the slightest of touches to send the ball into the back of the net and send the claret and blue army in level at the break.

HALFTIME – Boro 1 Villa 1

The start of the second half was a bad one for Villa as first Barry was forced off injured and following that Solano was sent-off thanks to play acting by Boateng. This prompted a reshuffle as Delaney came on for Vassell and Whittingham for the injured Barry. Delaney went into a right back position with De La Cruz pushing up to apply the right wing role, which left Colombian international Juan Pablo Angel alone upfront.

Sorensen was then called upon for the remainder of the match in a desperate attempt to restrict the Boro goals. He obliged twice shortly after Solano’s sending off, saving from a Maccarone lob and then brilliantly from Mendieta.

The Danish ‘keeper was then in the right place at the right time as he kept out Juninho and a few moments later pulled off a superb save to deny on-loan Boudewijn Zenden as he fired a vicious left-foot shot.

Villa held off the onslaught and even managed to get a rare chance themselves, which against the run of play they converted. De La Cruz cut in from his newly adopted right wing position and his shot was parried straight to substitute Peter Crouch who placed the ball in the back of the net to send the Villa fans ecstatic.

It was just not Middlesbrough’s day as they pummeled Villa’s goal for most of the match and were not rewarded at all. Thomas Sorensen was the clear hero in claret and blue as he stopped everything flung at him, a real testament to his season at Villa.

This match was another well earned victory for O’Leary’s Villa as they are now looking good to continue to mount a serious challenge for fourth place.

FULLTIME – Boro 1 Villa 2

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