A “satisfactory” 2-2 draw at Odense leaves Villa still on course to win their Intertoto Cup third-round tie.
By no means perfect but, all things considered, a satisfactory scoreline- that was the verdict of boss Martin O’Neill - after his Villa team were twice pegged back.
Two precious away goals from Scandinavian duo John Carew and Martin Laursen – who was handed the captaincy in his homeland – mean Villa will kick-off this Saturday’s return tie as strong favourites to progress into the UEFA Cup second qualifying round.
Steve Sidwell can count himself unfortunate to have an otherwise decent competitive debut tarnished by an own goal. Indeed, only Anders Moller Christensen’s 90th-minute strike denied them a lead to bring back to Villa Park.
The goal will have been hard to stomach for the 500 travelling supporters, yet it was hard to begrudge the home side their equaliser.
Their energy and endeavour was more than a match for Villa’s as they dominated for long spells, taking advantage of the superior fitness levels O’Neill had predicted.
The Villa manager does not expect that to be the case again this weekend.
He said: “Considering the circumstances I’m reasonably satisfied. By the time we play them again next week we should be much fitter.
“We’ve been at it for just over a fortnight now and it was so important for us to stay in the competition. We’ve scored the two goals and we’ll be better for next week.
“We made a great start and got the early goal. It was obviously a setback when Steve put into his own net but he just couldn’t avoid it.
“I felt for a little period in the second half, we started to look tired but then we started to force it again. We had a couple of decent opportunities and got the goal to go back in front.
“It was just disappointing that we conceded so late in the game. But it’s all set up now for Villa Park.”
By then O’Neill will hope to have made further acquisitions. On this performance, the need for a right back of proven quality is particularly pressing.
Craig Gardner battled willingly in the position but the ease with which the Danes created opportunities down that channel, it does not bode well for when the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or Joe Cole are in town.
Still, there were some promising signs too.
Own goal aside, Sidwell showed the void left by Gareth Barry may not be impossible to fill, while Freddie Bouma came through 90 minutes less than a week after his return to training.
As has become their trademark under O’Neill, Villa always looked a threat from set-pieces. Ashley Young’s delivery for Laursen’s header was nothing short of first class.
Odense BK (4-4-2): Onyszko, Haland, Sorensen, Christensen, Helveg, Andreasen, Esben Hansen (Djemba-Djemba 27), Henrik Hansen, Absalonsen, Runstrom (Bolanos 78), Fall. Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Ruud, Troest, Nielsen, Bisgaard.
Villa (4-4-2): Taylor, Gardner, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Sidwell (Routledge 82), Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs Not Used: Parish, Harewood, Salifou, Osbourne, Maloney, Baker.
Goals: Carew 7, Laursen 76.
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