Villa’s international stars impress.

Friday, 09/09/2011

by Steven Green, Shoot's Aston Villa blogger

There hasn’t been much to report from Villa Park this week with the annual international break taking place. At the beginning of every season there is a frustratingly long break disrupting the Premier League but this one is for the Euro qualifiers…so it’s okay.

There wasn’t much Villa interest in the England squad with Darren Bent sidelined but it was with Ireland and Scotland that proved to be the most exciting.

On Tuesday afternoon the Republic of Ireland travelled to Russia to keep their qualification dreams alive. The game ended a goalless draw, largely thanks to Shay Given and Richard Dunne. Given kept the Irish in it for the most part by producing a string of fine saves, clearly invigorated by being in position of the #1 jersey at club level.

Richard Dunne on the other hand displayed one of the finest defensive performances seen for a long time, drawing praise from the man affectionately known as ‘God’ by Villa fans, Paul McGrath. The big defender was first to every header, timed his tackles to perfection and even made one of two of those lung busting runs forward with the ball glues to his boot that he has been known to do every now and again.

It was a performance that every Villain and Irishman can be proud of, with the former hopeful that the duo can bring that form on Saturday.

Later that same day Scotland took on Lithuania to keep their slim hopes of qualification on course. Manager Craig Levine handed diminutive midfielder Barry Bannan his first start and he’ll be cursing himself that he hadn’t done so sooner.

It was Bannan’s brilliant through ball that led to Scotland’s goal, he also provided the cross that earned a penalty which Darren Fletcher missed. Bannan showed what we all know he can do, for all the talk over the summer of Villa needing a creative spark in the centre many knew we already have one.

Picking up a man of the match award for his efforts it will hopefully only be a matter of time before he is doing so for Villa.

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