I’ve been thinking about doing a monthly look back at some of the crucial games and goals that have formed part of Aston Villa’s history. I thought to kick it off I would go for one of the most exciting games in my history of watching Villa, and the prelude to something we all know that happened.
This match really had it all – a fight back from 3-1 down on aggregate, a penalty, Bosnich nearly getting sent off, Villa getting a late goal, as well as nearly conceding in the final moments of normal time. Add to that an Ugo miss, a Kevin Richardson miss, Bosnich’s penalty heroics, and a final goal by Daley, and it was enough to fill a whole book of memories. If this match didn’t get your heart racing then you were either a non-Villa supporter (or Tranmere for that matter) or dead.
The start of a real twister of a match
First Dean Saunders popped up with a goal that was then followed up by Shaun Teale. At 2-0 up, Villa seemed like they would be going to turn around the tie and things were set. Of course, as it always is with Villa, things didn’t go as smoothly as that. Bosnich came out quickly tripping over John Aldridge, and giving Tranmere a chance to get back in the game. Aldridge scored, and Bosnich was lucky to escape with just a warning.
The second half was relentless pressure for Villa but no end product, but when Tony Daley crossed the ball in for Dalian Atkinson with two minutes to go, there was only one outcome. Villa Park went absolutely crazy. Villa then managed to weather a final Tranmere push before holding on for extra time.
Penalties leave pulses racing
Extra time had relatively little to it, but there was tension to come in abundance once the penalties started. Villa started strongly but once Ugo Ehiogu missed, it started to come apart. Suddenly the whole tie seemed back on it’s head. Once Richardson missed it seemed totally unwinnable. However one person who wasn’t informed of the unwinnable nature was Bosnich. The next penalty was saved, much to the surprise of Tranmere as I remember TV cameras focussing on the Tranmere manager expecting him to be rushing on to the pitch, but it was not to be.
Tony Daley then went on to score his penalty with nonchalance, and a save from Bosnich against Ian Nolan meant we were going to Wembley.
Que-sera, que-sera, whatever will be, will be…
It was a good period of form for Villa with it being the first of two cups in three seasons, leading on from a second place finish behind Manchester United a year before, as well as our first appearance at Wembley since 1977. Sadly, such heroics haven’t really been emulated by the club in recent years.
If you liked this article, please let me know and we will make it a regular monthly feature. Feel free to let me know which games you’d like to have covered, as well as if you’d like to cover them in an article.
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