City 2 Aston Villa 4
September 25th 2012 27,318
Capital One Cup r3
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WH Smith and the City shop
Yet another horror defence performance ended with City making an early exit from the Capital One cup with Villa winning 4-2 after extra time. It's a long time since City conceded so many goals at home and I think it was way back in February 2003 when Arsenal thrashed us 5-1. Some images
here for more punishment!
With a much changed side City took the lead twice but we gave the ball away so much and once again the defence was very suspect. I know conditions were not ideal on a wet chilly evening but Villa had much the better of the first half and looked like the home side! City rarely managed a decent passing move and our goal was almost the first time we had even looked like scoring. I just hope that Joe Hart remains fit as Pantilimon did not have a good game. Generally City did not play as a team and we have now already conceded 14 goals in our opening 7 games. Razak gave the ball away a great deal after a promising start and we only saw glimpses of Suarez. Tevez worked hard as usual but apart from his goal Balotelli drifted in and out of the game and often looked totally uninterested.
City appeal for a penalty when Tevez goes down but a corner is awarded
On a wet evening City made many changes from the Arsenal game with Tevez and Balotelli leading the attack. Kolo Toure was captain and the side also included Razak and Suarez. Nastasic also played. Rodwell was originally names but he was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Lescott.
An early save by Given to frustrate Tevez
A near miss as the ball just goes wide in a Villa attack
Villa miss a sitter Benteke being the culprit
Balotelli gets some attention
N'Zogbia gets a chance to cross
Agbonlahor causes an upset!
Milner gets the ball clear
After 26 minutes Milner puts in a great ball to Balotelli .....
...... who cracks the ball past Given to give City a surprise lead
His celebration is muted as usual!
Tevez tries to get past a defender
A header by Benteke goes wide
Given saves from Tevez just before half time
Balotelli is fouled just outside the area
City put pressure on Villa at a corner
Tevez on the attack and is then upended
Disaster hit City after 58 minutes when Barry scored an own goal!
Kolarov scores directly from the free kick to put City ahead again
A great shot that had Given well beaten
However six minutes later Villa get on level terms with a goal from Agbonlahor
Razak tries a shot which goes wide
Dzeko who came on for Lescott after 75 minutes tries his best for City
City try to score the winner before the end of 90 minutes but fail and we go into extra time
Given saves from Sinclair on for Suarez
Villa take the lead - N'Zogbia scoring from close range
Given takes an easy catch at a corner
After 112 minutes Agbonlahor put paid to City's hopes by scoring Villa;s fourth goal and though City had three strikers on they failed to score again and a poor display ended Capitol One hopes for this season
Villa clear a City corner
Team
Pantilimon 5: K. Toure 5, Lescott 5 ( Dzeko 6) , Nastasic 5, Kolarov 6: Barry 5.5, Milner 6, Razak 4.5 ( Helan), Suarez 5 ( Sinclair 5.5) Tevez 6.5, Balotelli 6
