Bolton Wanderers 1 - 2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa claimed its first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory over a futile Bolton side, which still has just one win at home in the current campaign

Villa took advantage of nervous defending from the Trotters and went ahead with a tap in from Marc Albrighton, before doubling the lead a few moments later through a long-range effort from Stilian Petrov.
Bolton came out after the break brighter and soon found itself with a goal and way back into the game though a Ivan Klasnic effort from close range. However, the team's confidence soon faded and Villa held on for the win.
Stilian Petrov should have had the visiting side in the lead with less than 20 minutes gone. The Bulgarian received a low ball at his feet, but somehow managed to put it wide from the penalty spot.

A great save from Jaaskelainen spared Bolton’s blushes further, with Darren Bent wasting a great opportunity to make up from his teammate’s miss just moments before. But the Trotters’ ‘keeper made an impressive block with his legs to deny the England international.

Villa then came under pressure, as a low, hard free kick from Chris Eagles managed to avoid the Villans’ defensive wall and forced Brad Guzan to make the save. The American fumbled the attempted stop, but the danger was cleared.

Bolton’s defence finally paid the price for its slack display at the back, as a ball into the area was once more left to the Villa attackers, leaving Albrighton to put the visiting side ahead from close range past a helpless Jaaskelainen.

Just moments later, Bolton was in dire straits as Petrov doubled Villa’s lead following an effort from 20 yards that deflected enough off of Gary Cahill to evade Jaaskelainen and tuck away in the corner of the goal.

At the other end, Kevin Davies nearly clawed one back with a header saved instinctively by Guzan at the far post following a corner and ensured his side went into the break with the two goal advantage intact.

Bolton was the brightest of the teams after the restart and Villa was hard pushed to get the ball out of its area for the opening five minutes of the half.

The Trotters’ hard work finally paid off a few minutes late as Klasnic put in a scrappy goal, pushing home a rebound.

However, Villa began to dominate again and should have made it three when an unpressured Bent put a great opportunity wide. Albrighton had a good chance for his second of the afternoon, but Jaaskelainen stopped his attempt well.

The visiting held on and kept its place in the top half of the table with it first away win of the campaign.