(Football news) After only five minutes, Ola Aina’s incredible first-time effort got things started. Emiliano Martinez then parried Orel Mangala’s hard shot over the line early in the second half, giving the Tricky Trees some breathing room in the lower half and hurting the Lions’ hopes of finishing in the top four.

Odysseas Vlachodimos made his Premier League debut after Matt Turner made a blunder in the team’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend. The Greek goalkeeper was off to a great debut after just five minutes of play. Turner endured the loss from the bench.

After overcoming an illness, Anthony Elanga quickly moved past Matty Cash on the left side and set up Harry Toffolo, who then found Aina, who finished with a neat side-footed shot into the lower corner from the edge of the area.

The left-back’s first Tricky Trees goal was exactly what Steve Cooper’s team deserved. The home team had a couple attempts to break Taiwo Awoniyi in the center, but Unai Emery stuck with his high line and an overhit pass kept Villa in the game.

Naturally, Aston Villa was controlling the majority of the ball, but it took until the 36th minute for the visitors to put Vlachodimos to the test. After some excellent work from Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby, the goalkeeper stopped Nicolo Zaniolo at his near post.

Just before the halftime siren went off, both teams’ pleas for penalties were rejected. Awoniyi was sent down in the box, but Nicolas Dominguez was called for offside, and Toffolo was judged not to have handled Lucas Digne’s cross.
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