Middlesbrough take advantage of depleted Villa side

Aston Villa 2 Middlesbrough 3

Steve McClaren must wish Middlesbrough could play Aston Villa after every European tie as George Boateng had the last laugh over the Holte End boo boys with a second-half winner.

Boro’s only win immediately after their previous nine UEFA Cup matches had been a 3-0 triumph against the midlands club at the Riverside Stadium last season.

But, after Thursday’s goalless draw against Xanthi, they again came up trumps against a side ravaged by injuries with former Villa player Boateng grabbing the decisive second goal after 64 minutes and earning the late penalty converted by Aiyegbeni Yakubu.

The final whistle was greeted by boos from the Villa fans who at half-time had been reminded of better times when Gordon Cowans, Tony Morley and Dennis Mortimer paraded a replica of the European Cup to mark their 1982 triumph.

Those halcyon days must have seemed a million miles away after this uninspiring performance which leaves Villa perched too close to the relegation zone for comfort.

Until David O’Leary’s injury list is reduced – seven first-team players were missing through injury – Villa can forget ambitions of pushing for a European spot.

The livewire James Milner and skilful Patrik Berger tried their best to inspire their side but Villa, apart from a brief spell early in the second half, struggled to find a way through a back four well marshalled by Gareth Southgate.

The most worrying factor is the apparent lethargy amongst the fans who seem almost resigned to such mediocre fare and surely the time is approaching for chairman Doug Ellis to step aside and allow an injection of fresh ideas and much-needed revenue.

Yakubu was a handful throughout for Boro up front, while Boateng and Gaizka Mendieta impressed in the centre of the park.

Yakubu had the first effort on goal – a dipping 25-yard drive which flew straight at Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen – after Gareth Barry had lost possession.

Wilfred Bouma was only just too high with a left-footed effort from the edge of the box after a Berger free-kick had been cleared.

Sorensen had to cling onto a curling effort from Szilard Nemeth after he cut past Liam Ridgewell. Back came Villa and Juan Pablo Angel’s low volley from Bouma’s cross flew straight at Bradley Jones.

Barry became the first player to be yellow-carded by referee Mike Dean in the 24th minute after bringing down Fabio Rochemback by the touchline.

Doriva sliced his shot wide but after 34 minutes a mistake by Bouma helped to gift Boro the lead.

Emanuel Pogatetz sent over a left-wing cross which Bouma was favourite to deal with but he only succeeded in heading the ball back into the danger area and an alert Yakubu volleyed past Sorensen from close range.

Villa responded and Angel headed a Milner free-kick over the bar but it needed a great save from Sorensen to prevent Villa from falling further behind.

Former Barcelona player Rochemback raced clear of the Villa defence but Sorensen spread himself well and managed to block the eventual shot away to his left.

Luke Moore could have brought Villa level in the 38th minute when he met a cross from Ulises de la Cruz at the near post but his header was just too high.

O’Leary opted to make a half-time switch, bringing on Jlloyd Samuel, who normally plays at left-back, on the opposite flank in place of De la Cruz.

After 50 minutes Moore brought the place to life with his second goal in two games. Berger’s shot was totally mis-hit but it struck Angel and fell back into the path of Moore.

The striker still had plenty of work to do but he curled a shot past the dive of Jones into the top corner of the net.

Villa were now in the ascendancy and Jones was beaten all ends up by a fierce low drive from Berger which cannoned back off a post to safety.

Chris Riggott was booked after fouling Moore on the edge of the area but Berger’s free-kick was charged down by the Boro defensive wall.

Then after 64 minutes Boateng silenced the jeers by putting Boro back in front. Rochemback’s corner took a couple of deflections before finding its way to the midfielder who drilled a left-footed drive back across Sorensen into the corner of the net.

Yakubu made sure of victory six minutes from time from the penalty spot after Boateng had been brought down by Samuel. Steven Davis’ injury-time reply was scant consolation for the home side.