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Aston Villa (1) 1 Wimbledon (1) 1 FT Dublin 35 Earle 26 Aston Villa newcomer Benito Carbone produced a wonder show on his debut - but he and his team-mates must be wondering how Wimbledon escaped with an FA Carling Premiership point after a non-stop battering. Carbone, a midweek capture from Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season, produced the flair and guile that manager John Gregory has been crying out for this season from his solid but unimaginative team. Villa dominated from start to finish and carved out more chances than in any other match this season and there was certainly a lot more purpose about their general play. But a super display from Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan meant the home side's sequence without a league win was extended to four matches as the game ended 1-1. Gregory is hoping to tie up the services of Carbone on a long-term contract - and on this evidence it was easy to see why. He tormented the Dons defence and there was a sense of anticipation amongst the home fans every time he had the ball at his feet. They have waited a long time to have a real hero to relate to after the likes of Savo Milosevic, Stan Collymore and Paul Merson have failed to live up to such a billing. Carbone quickly formed an effective partnership with Dion Dublin and his presence also seemed to bring the best out of Lee Hendrie. The England midfielder by his own admission has lost confidence and been scared to make mistakes, but he was back to his uninhibited best. Villa totally dominated proceedings after the first 15 minutes but the brilliance of Sullivan kept them at bay. He showed that he will be a formidable obstacle to Kevin Keegan's hopes of reaching Euro 2000 when England lock horns with Scotland in next month's play-offs at Hampden Park and Wembley. Villa took time to settle and the Dons forced four corners in the opening 15 minutes, with skipper Robbie Earle and Marcus Gayle having efforts deflected wide. But Villa gradually began to exert their authority and they had strong claims for a penalty rejected by referee Uriah Rennie when Ben Thatcher looked to foul George Boateng as he tried to reach an Alan Thompson cross. Carbone brought the crowd to their feet with a first-time effort from the edge of the penalty area which was held away to his left by Sullivan. Then he produced a marvellous one-handed save to turn a Carbone header around the post after he had ghosted past the Dons defence to meet a centre from Mark Delaney. But after 26 minutes the Dons stunned the home fans by taking the lead against the run of play. Carl Cort was going away from goal when he received the ball but he turned sharply to send in a teasing cross and Earle stole in between Gareth Southgate and Colin Calderwood to send a glancing header past David James. Villa needed only nine minutes to get back on level terms and it was the magic of Carbone which conjured up the opening after he had been found on the left by Hendrie. The Italian turned past the challenges of Kenny Cunningham and Hermann Hreidarsson and his eventual cross was inviting for Dublin, who made no mistake with a downward header past Sullivan. Carbone was soon causing problems again at the start of the second period and it needed another superb save by Sullivan to deny Dublin a second goal. Delaney's throw found Carbone, who without thinking whipped over another vicious cross from the by-line. Dublin could not have met it any better but his volley from six yards out was somehow turned over the bar by the Dons keeper. It was now one-way traffic towards the Dons goal and Carbone should have given Villa the lead in the 61st minute after a delightful flick from Dublin allowed him a free run at goal. But with only Sullivan to beat his rising shot flew past the far post to cut short the Villa celebrations. It seemed only a matter of time before Villa would score but Sullivan again earned his spurs to parry a close-range effort from Hendrie and he then saved a Dublin header at the foot of a post. Aston Villa: James, Southgate, Boateng (Merson, 75), Taylor, Dublin, Thompson (Ghrayib, 78), Barry, Hendrie, Carbone, Delaney, Calderwood. Subs not used: Watson, Wright, Enckelman. Booked: Barry. Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Thatcher, Cort, Earle, Hartson (Andresen, 62), Euell, Gayle (Leaburn, 82), Andersen, Hreidarsson. Subs not used: Roberts, Willmott, Davis. Attendance: 27,160. Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield). Carling Net |