Aston Villa 1-2 Stoke City: Late Moses penalty gives Sherwood first defeat

Tim Sherwood’s first game in charge ended in late defeat as Victor Moses’ stoppage time penalty sent Villa further into the relegation mire, and consolidated Stoke’s top ten position.

The hosts took the lead through loanee Scott Sinclair, who headed past Asmir Begovic. The equaliser came on the stroke of half time after Mame Biram Diouf netted from seven yards out. A draw was on the cards before Villa defender Ron Vlaar hacked down Moses in the area, resulting in a second yellow card.

Neither side took charge in the early proceedings as Villa and Stoke tried to get settled into the game. With 20 minutes gone Villa took a somewhat unlikely lead. Villa midfielder Fabian Delph sent in a cross, which Sinclair, on loan from Manchester City, glanced home past Begovic, and gave Villa only their 13th league goal this season.

One thing Stoke did well in the second half was keep Christian Benteke under control. The usually dangerous striker was shut down well by the Potters defence. As half time loomed the visitors equalised in an unlikely fashion. They didn’t look like scoring, but Jonathon Walters supplied former Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland with the ball and he sent in a cross to Diouf, who powered the ball past Brad Guzan from seven yards out.

The second half saw more of the same, with Benteke still not being given the room to make an impact. Tim Sherwood’s first job will be to get Benteke firing on all cylinders again. Both sides had chances in the second half, with Guzan shopping a Walters effort on goal. With two minutes left Gabby Agbonlahor’s attempt on goal was saved by Begovic. Neither side could get a chance and convert it into a winner, that was until Villa capitulated.

In second half stoppage time Moses edged clear before being brought down by Vlaar, who was given his marching orders. It seems like a fall from grace for the defender, who was a star at the World Cup with Holland, now he’s in a relegation dogfight being sent off.

Moses stepped up and slotted the penalty past Guzan and sealed all three points for Mark Hughes’ men. Sherwood’s job isn’t an easy one, with Villa looking in real danger. No real goalscoring threat means troubled times for Villa, who are now 19th in the league after Burnley’s point at Stamford Bridge. The upside is that QPR lost and remain in 17th, and also Villa are level on points with the R’s. A good run of results will see Tim Sherwood guide Villa to safety.