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Bolton's chances of staying in the Premier League have been delt a huge blow after they fell to a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Villa lead inside nine minutes through Gareth Barry. Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled their advantage after the break before Barry added a third and substitute Marlon Harewood completed the rout five minutes from time. The home side went into the game on the back of three successive defeats, while Bolton had failed to win a league game since the start of February. Wanderers began the game poorly and were behind with just nine minutes on the clock. Ashley Young beat Kevin Davies and Gretar Steinsson down the left flank before crossing for Barry to head Villa into the lead. It was Barry's first goal from open play this season, his sixth of the season, with his previous five all coming from the penalty spot. The hosts didn't sit back on their lead and instead went in search of a second but Joey O'Brien was alert to the danger as Agbonlahor looked certain to make it two. Former Villan Gavin McCann blocked a Stilian Petrov shot soon after before Bolton gave the hosts a scare at the other end. Davies' cross-cum-shot looked to have beaten Scott Carson in the Villa goal but the ball hit the top of the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick. But Bolton failed to take advantage and Villa were soon back on the attack, with Matt Taylor making an excellent block to deny Young. Terrible defending from Wanderers should have been punished soon after, but goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi was alert to prevent Young's cross from reaching the unmarked Agbonlahor and John Carew in the middle. Taylor almost brought Bolton level just after the half hour, but his deflected 35-yard free-kick sailed just wide of Carson's goal. A lack of communication between Al-Habsi and Gary Cahill was almost punished before the break as full-back Martin Laursen hit the post from an acute angle. Villa were lucky to have eleven men on the field just before the break as Carew was only shown a yellow card for a strong challenge on Steinsson. Struggling Bolton started the second period brightly but failed to take advantage of possession and they were punished at the other end on 55 minutes. Barry picked out the overlapping run of Young down the left and his first time cross was deflected past Al-Habsi by Agbonlahor for his first goal in 13 games. Looking comfortable with their lead, Barry added his second and Villa's third on the hour to make the points safe for the home side. Young's shot was blocked inside the area and fell kindly to Barry who's effort took a deflection off Joey O'Brien before bouncing into the net past Al-Habsi. With a lack of confidence, Bolton's counter attacks kept coming to nothing and Martin O'Neill's side added a fourth five minutes from time. Harewood, who had come on as a substitute for Carew was left unmarked from Barry's free-kick and put his glancing header into the corner. The victory gives Villa an outside chance of qualifying for next season's UEFA Cup while Gary Megson will be hoping he can pick his side up and drag them out of the relegation mix. |
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