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West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. 16th November 2002, 3.00pm.
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The first goalless draw at the Hawthorns in a competitive match since January 2000 was an exciting one, and how it remained goalless is a mystery. Albion had the better of the chances, especially in the first half, but I left not too disappointed having survived a dubious penalty award thanks to a save from England's Number One.

Megson finally decided that Siggy was worth his starting place with Gregan moving into midfield to replace Chambers. Gilchrist returned from injury to take his place on the left of the back three. Dobie was again preferred to Hughes, who was joined on the bench by Dichio in place of Koumas.

Not since the game against Leeds have Albion started so forcefully at the Hawthorns. They should have been ahead inside five minutes when a Dobie shot was parried by Enckelman to Roberts, but the Dutchman managed to block the resultant shot. Johnson shot just wide from the corner which followed.

A couple of minutes later, Roberts almost scored a goal of the month contender. He picked up the ball near the halfway line before brilliantly beating Johnsen and Samuel to put himself one on one with Enckelman, but he unfortunately shot over the bar with his left foot.

Villa had a few half chances in the first half, but Hoult was only tested twice. Once to turn a Hitzlsperger free kick around his near post, and the other to comfortably hold a shot from Leonhardsen. But Albion were well on top.

Chance after chance was created and only a combination of poor finishing, some great goalkeeping and last ditch challenges denied Roberts, Johnson, Clement and McInnes. How Albion failed to score is a mystery.

And then just before half time, Villa had what looked like a pretty good penalty shout turned down by Gallagher when Villa's best player, Mark Delaney, went down under challenge from Gilchrist.

Albion started the second half as they had the first, and were at Villa from the whistle. Dobie delayed too long when he had a clear chance to test the 'keeper and the moment was gone. Johnson shot wide before Balis, who'd got forward well all game for little reward, cut in from the byline and fired in a left foot shot. But unlike at St James's Park, it was weak and straight at the 'keeper.

A Roberts cross a few minutes later created havoc as the ball pin-balled around the box eventually looping towards the net of Jlloyd Samuel's head, but Enckelman clawed it over the bar. Clement's header went just wide from the well-worked corner that followed. A minute later, Clement was involved again when he put Dobie through. The Scottish international beat Enckelman to the bouncing ball, but his lob crept wide.

Villa were struggling and Taylor made changes bring Hendrie and Vassell on for Allback and Samuel. It made a difference as Villa had two quick chances. The first saw a shot from Ian Taylor fly just wide before Vassell had a great chance inside the box, but decided to dummy Leonhardsen's cross only for it to fall to Sigurdsson to clear.

Megson made two quick changes replacing Dobie with Hughes and, a few minutes later, Dichio cam on for Gregan as Albion went 4-3-3. But Villa were starting to play much better and it all went wrong as Barry broke into the box. Moore appeared to tackle him cleanly, but Mr Gallagher pointed to the spot, perhaps to make up for his mistake in the first half. Dublin, who'd had little change from Siggy and Big Dave all game, stepped up. His shot straight down the middle was blocked by Hoult's legs and Albion escaped.

Both sides had half chances in the last ten minutes but the net did not bulge.

For seventy-five minutes Albion were the better side and really deserved the points. Roberts was excellent but had little support from Dobie and not much luck; the three-man front line for the last twenty minutes just did not work. The defence was largely solid and Hoult again proved his worth. If we play like that every week, the ball will start running for us and we'll be playing Premiership football next season.

RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 ASTON VILLA 0

Marks

Hoult - 8 - Excellent.
Balis - 6 - Got forward well but the final ball was not there.
Clement - 5 - Frustratingly didn't get forward nearly enough - he needs to be an outlet.
Gilchrist - 7 - Excellent, a welcome return; lucky with the penalty shout.
Moore - 7 - Another solid performance, unlucky with the penalty.
Sigurdsson - 7 - Solid, although his distribution hasn't improved.
Gregan - 8 - MOM. Ran the midfield, missed him sorely when he went off.
Johnson - 7 - Another good hardworking performance.
McInnes - 5 - Poor, slow and wasteful with possession.
Dobie - 6 - Did little to support Roberts, one or two good moments.
Roberts - 7 - Excellent first half but needs to take those chances.

Hughes - 5 - Got no service as the left side of a front three.
Dichio - 3 - Why?
Chambers - 5 - Made little impact
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Sigurdsson, Moore, Gilchrist (A Chambers 77); Balis, Gregan (Dichio 71), McInnes, Johnson, Clement; Roberts, Dobie (Hughes 67). Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Wallwork.
Aston Villa (4-4-2):
Enckelman; Delaney, Mellburg, Johnsen (Staunton 39), Samuel (Hendrie 60); Leonhardsen, Taylor, Hitzlsperger, Barry; Allback (Vassell 60), Dublin. Subs not used: Postma (GK), Angel.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Gregan (foul 44), Dichio (foul 76). Aston Villa - Johnsen (foul 38), Taylor (foul 79), Barry (foul 81).
Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)
Attendance: 27,091
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