Villa roll Swiss in return leg - report
Aston Villa 3 FC Zurich 0
( Villa win 3-2 on aggregate)
Swedish striker Marcus Allback crowned his Aston Villa debut with a stunning strike but it was the old war-horse Steve Staunton who scored the goal that took them into the semi-finals of the Intertoto Cup.
It is only a few weeks since Staunton was skippering the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals as Roy Keane’s replacement.
But the player who first turned out for Villa 11 years ago showed he still has the appetite and enthusiasm for the game at the age of 33 as his headed effort finally killed off the resistance of the Swiss side 13 minutes from time.
Staunton, who is now also Villa’s skipper - at least in the short term - jumped for joy in front of the Holte End after helping to keep alive Villa’s dreams of playing in the UEFA Cup.
It was no more than Graham Taylor’s side deserved after they had dominated proceedings for long periods following last Saturday’s shock 2-0 defeat in the first leg, although they were indebted to a couple of fine saves from Peter Enckelman.
Villa had been lacking Staunton and their other World Cup players in that match and their presence made a big difference in the return.
Allback looked busy up front in his first appearance since his £2million move from Heerenveen and his strike partner Peter Crouch was always a handful in the air.
Former tennis professional Michael Boulding also had the satisfaction of starting the Villa comeback with his first goal since signing from Grimsby Town.
Villa were soon into their stride and Boulding burst into the area only to loft his shot over the bar after holding off the challenge of Urs Fischer.
Zurich keeper Miroslav Konig was called into meaningful action for the first time when he tipped a looping header from Marcus Allback over the bar following a right-wing cross from Peter Crouch.
Crouch then got into a good position to get on the end of a corner from Thomas Hitzlsperger but he sent his header straight at Konig.
A deep cross from Gareth Barry was then deflected into the path of Crouch on the far side of the area but he sliced his volley wide.
But, just as Villa may have started to get frustrated at their inability to break through, they went ahead after 32 minutes through Boulding.
He started the move earning a free-kick after being brought down on the edge of the area by Alain Nef.
Gareth Barry’s floated centre picked out Crouch who headed the ball back across goal - and there was Boulding to apply the finishing touch.
Ironically, it was after the goal that FC Zurich enjoyed their best spell of the opening 45 minutes.
Enckelman dealt comfortably enough with a low drive from Mario Raimondi but he produced a fine save to his right to keep out a rasping effort from the same player after being found in space by Tariq Chihab.
In first half injury-time Lee Hendrie supplied an inviting cross for Crouch to double Villa’s lead but he sent his glancing header past the post.
But Villa needed only four minutes of the second period to get back on level terms via Allback with a goal created by half-time substitute Paul Merson.
Merson had admitted that he had not been fit enough to play in the first leg but he demonstrated that he still has the skill.
His chip over the Zurich defence was weighted to perfection and Allback sent an unstoppable volley past Konig before celebrating in front of the Holte End.
Villa now went for the killer blow and Allback broke clear but he was caught in two minds and his chip was comfortably dealt with by Konig.
But Villa still had to be wary of the counter attack and they were almost caught out when Raimondi threaded the ball into the path of Akale but Enckelman was able to block his low left-footed shot.
Allback received a standing ovation when he was substituted after 72 minutes and replaced by debutant Stefan Moore - one of the heroes of Villa’s FA Youth Cup-winning side last season.
But it was the veteran campaigner Staunton who put Villa in front for the first time in the tie after 77 minutes.
Hitzlsperger arrowed over a centre and in stole Staunton to send an unstoppable header past Konig.