Aston Villa (2)

The match continued, Aston Villa who was left behind the Southampton score slowly got up. The 5-4-1 formation changed to 3-6-1 after two full-backs moved into the middle court. Namely, Stephen Warnock a right-back, and also a left-back is Carlos Cuellar. With the rise of the two defenders into the middle, the Aston Villa players had a superior number of players in the middle court. Gradually, they took the dominance of the match from Southampton.

In the 23rd minute, Aston Villa got a chance. C. Cuellar passes to S. Petrov. Crage put the pressure on Petrov, but Petrov kept the ball stably.

He grabbed the ball with his feet then pinched it with both feet and did a rainbow flick to throw the ball over Crage's head, soon after that, Petrov kicked the ball to the right. Albrighton bounced the ball backward with his header, he had dueled against Wright-Phillips in the air.

Warnock received the ball and pushed it forward. Benson prepared to block Warnock, but Warnock didn't run straight, instead, he ran diagonally to the center. Warnock passes the ball to Charles N'Zogbia.

Charles collided physically with Simone when he was fighting to receive the ball. Then, Charles gave the floating pass into the middle of the penalty box. In the middle of the penalty box, Hilton, Okhalo, and Gabriel Agbonlahor jumped for the ball. Among the three players, Agbonlahor is taller and physically stronger, he won the aerial duel and headed the ball into Southampton.

Dean Smith managed to reach the header and bounce it off the field. Aston Villa gets a corner kick. Stephen Ireland would be kicking a corner-kick, He kicked the ball when the referee's whistle had sounded. The ball spins to the far post. Rudolf and Albrighton are in the most ideal place. They both jumped at the same time. Rudolf managed to jump higher, but his elbow swung back and hit Albrighton in the chest.

Rudolf managed to head the ball outside the box, but Albrighton fell after being hit by Rudolf's elbow. The referee immediately pointed to the spot. He also gave Rudolf a yellow card. Albrighton was taken by Aston Villa's team health workers off the pitch for initial treatment.

Southampton's players tried to persuade the referee to overturn his decision, but the referee stood by the decision. Gabriel Agbonlahor will take the penalty kick.

Outside the penalty box, Kazuki was communicating with the Aston Villa players. He asked Ireland, "Guess, which side do you think he's going to kick? Right or left?"

Ireland thought this was a trap, so he simply replied nonchalantly, "I don't know."

However, Carlos Cuellar who was nearby spontaneously said, "I bet he will kick to the right."

"What are you talking about, Cuellar?!" Stephen Ireland glared at his partner, while Kazuki had dashed behind Gabriel Agbonlahor and signaled for Dean Smith to jump to the right.

The referee's whistle sounded, Gabriel kicked the penalty to the right, but Dean Smith had guessed the direction of the penalty correctly, so the ball was caught by Dean Smith easily.

Outside the penalty box, Kazuki gave Cuellar a thumbs up while shouting, "Best friend forever!"

Cuellar held his head as he realized what he had done was wrong. Beside him, Stephen Ireland scolded him fiercely.

Southampton immediately started the counterattacks. Dean Smith throws the ball sideways. Freddy received the ball and dribbled the ball across the half-line. He gave Hugo a through the pass. The Southampton right-winger had beaten Clark in a speed race. He broke through the penalty box, when the Aston Villa goalkeeper shifted to the right, Hugo provided a pass to the left of the penalty box. Crage who had been there put the ball into the empty net.

The screams of the Southampton fans echoed. Southampton's players were hugging each other at the side of the pitch. With this goal, Southampton managed to lead 2-0 in front of Aston Villa.

"I couldn't believe it! Southampton's counterattack was so quick, so simple, but it got through the Aston Villa goalpost. Credit for this attack goes to Dean Smith, who guessed Agbonlahor's penalty right."

At minute 33, Aston Villa gets a chance again. Aston Villa striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor, managed to escape the offside trap, he received a cross from Albrighton. After receiving the pass with his chest, Gabriel Agbonlahor kicked the ball with all of his power. The ball shot like a bullet towards the top right corner of the goalpost.

Dean Smith was leaping and extended his arm toward the ball. His right hand managed to touch the ball so that the ball changed its direction. The ball hit the post and bounced to the left of the penalty box. Stephen Ireland came and kicked the ball. Like Spider-Man, Dean Smith reacted quickly, after he fell, he immediately stood up and blocked Stephen Ireland's shoot.

The ball bounces outside the penalty box. Rudolf was about to receive the ball when S. Petrov grabbed the ball and kicked it towards the center of the net. Once again, Dean Smith showed a valuable save for Southampton. He jumped and caught the ball tightly.

The Aston Villa players opened their eyes wide. They did not believe the three opportunities that came up could not be converted into a goal. Dean Smith's excellent performance made Aston Villa players wonder, was Dean Smith are Spider-Man son?

Meanwhile, Southampton players praised Dean Smith.

"Nice save, Smith."

"You react quickly, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a superpower."

"You're so cool, bro."

"Stop it, you idiots. Hurry back to your respective positions. You missed a chance to counterattack." Dean Smith sent his teammates out of the goalkeeping area.

The match continued, Aston Villa and Southampton players were fighting for the ball in the center of the field. To keep up with the 6 Aston Villa players who were in the middle, Kazuki and Crage retreated deep into the middle. They help Simone and the others to get the ball.

On the pitch, George managed to analyze the special characteristics of Aston Villa midfielders and their special duties. N'Zogbia and Petrov were defensive midfielders, they had often been tasked with cutting passes from Southampton's midfield to the forward. Not only that but they had also been tasked with making small foul to break the attack that Southampton was trying to build.

After that, there were Albrighton and Stephen Ireland, both players played on the side, but after the two Aston Villa fullbacks, Warnock and Cuellar, moved up to midfield, the position of Albrighton and Ireland changed to be a bit to the middle. They served as attacking midfielders who helped Gabriel Agbonlahor score goals.

Among all Aston Villa players. Warnock and Cuellar were the busiest. When Southampton attacks they turn into fullbacks, when the ball is in the middle of the pitch they turn into midfielders, and when Aston Villa attacks they turn into wingers.

After knowing this. George gives instructions to Southampton players to focus on attacking the wings. He ordered both Southampton fullbacks to go up alternately to help Southampton attack.