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First off, let's just start with a senior-level teamsheet:
Here is the teamsheet for today's match. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/ALHojUzzGD
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) September 29, 2014
Wait, what's that? It's a U21 match? Oh, poor poor Bolton. Jores Okore, Joe Cole, AND Christian Benteke? All back from injuries and trying to get ready to be senior starters?
And what's more, all three players contributed a lot. We had Benteke opening up scoring:
#AVFC 1-0 #BWFC - 33mins - GOAL: @bentekechris20 gives Villa the lead from the penalty spot after Hughes' handball. #BU21PL
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 29, 2014
Okore trying to add on:
#AVFC 1-0 #BWFC - 47mins: Okore charges upfield and is set up by @bentekechris20 but the shot is blocked by the Bolton goalkeeper. #BU21PL
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 29, 2014
And Cole succeeding at making it 2-0:
#AVFC 2-0 #BWFC - 56 mins - GOAL: Joe Cole's curling effort finds the top left corner. #BU21PL
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 29, 2014
That's not a bad day at the park. Heck, we haven't even mentioned the Jack Grealish factor, but only because his presence in the team wasn't surprising at all. Not to say he wasn't doing his best:
#AVFC 2-0 #BWFC - 77mins: So close to three. @JackGrealish1 finds Cole free on the edge of the box but his volley is just over. #BU21PL
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 29, 2014
Villa look to be getting back to full health, and that's a very good thing. This team isn't as bad as they have been the past few years, and if they're healthy, they could very easily be a top-half club. We may not see everyone for this weekend's Manchester City match, but there's an international break after that and two weeks until we play Everton. Suddenly the potential exists for a very intimidating Villa squad to make the trip to Goodison.
I am more excited about this club than I have been in quite a while.