Aston Villa 3 Cardiff City 1: Adomah leads Villa to victory

On a cloudy afternoon at Villa Park, Albert Adomah scored and assisted to help Steve Bruce’s unbeaten run in charge of Villa stretch to 7 matches.

Saturday’s visitors Cardiff City made the brighter start in the opening minutes, but were unable to produce any real scoring opportunities. The game quieted down after Cardiff’s strong start, but Villa were soon ahead in the 24th minute after a streaking run from Jordan Amavi reached the Cardiff City penalty box and crossed to find Albert Adomah, who easily converted into an empty net to give Villa the lead.

Adomah’s goal and Villa’s lead only lasted for a matter of minutes, however, as by the 28th minute Cardiff equalized. An Ashley Westwood mistake presented Rickie Lambert with a clear look at goal, and the English striker made no mistake in beating Villa goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. Villa were ahead once again in the 39th minute as Albert Adomah transitioned from scorer to provider after his cross found Jonathan Kodjia, who rose above the Cardiff defense to remain in fine goal-scoring form. Nathan Baker was replaced by Tommy Elphick at halftime.

Gabriel Agbonlahor replaced Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede replaced Albert Adomah in the second half as Villa searched for a decisive goal. Jack Grealish was tackled in the box but despite rampant penalty appeals, nothing was awarded. Lee Peltier collected a second yellow card in the 83rd minute after a challenge on Jack Grealish, forcing Cardiff to finish the match with 10 men. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Jonathan Kodjia both missed clear opportunities in the final minutes as Villa Park became increasingly tense. All the pressure was erased in the 89th minute, when Jack Grealish found himself in front of goal only to be tackled by a Cardiff defender and awarded a penalty. Rudy Gestede calmly stepped up to convert the penalty and secure a Villa victory. Villa’s hot run continues and the distance to the top 6 becomes increasingly close.

What do you think? Let us know!