Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Birmingham 2 Club Brugge 2
Thursday 3rd November 2011, 10:00PM GMT.
Birmingham came back from two goals down to grab a draw at home to Club Brugge in the Europa League and make it nine games unbeaten in all competitions.
Blues looked dead and buried at half-time after goals from Thomas Meunier and Joseph Akpala, but second-half replies from Jean Beausejour and substitute Marlon King pulled the home side level at St Andrew’s.
A set-piece undid Blues six minutes before the break. Victor Vazquez’s corner sailed over the heads of centre-backs Steven Caldwell and Pablo Ibanez and onto the right foot of Meunier.
Blues full-back David Murphy tried to challenge Meunier from behind but the forward stood his ground, took a touch to lift the ball up and rifled his shot into the net.
A minute before half-time, all appeared lost for Blues when they went two goals down, after a flowing Brugge move going forward released Vadis Odjidia-Ofoe to attack from the right wing.
His ball across goal, with the defence back-pedalling, fell to Europa League top scorer Akpala in the centre, who slotted home from close range.
Blues come out for the second-half eager to get back into the game and, nine minutes after the break, pulled one back.
Nikola Zigic was found in the centre of the penalty area, took a touch and, when his shot was blocked, the ball ran free to an unmarked Beausejour, who scored his first goal of the season.
It was Beausejour who then won the penalty that gave Blues the chance to equalise in the 73rd minute, after he was impeded by former West Brom defender and Brugge captain Ryan Donk.
King, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes after replacing Zigic, stepped up to slam home the spot kick and salvage a draw for Blues.
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