Swansea 0-1 Aston Villa: Nyland saves penalty at the death as Villa win
Orjan Nyland made a crucial penalty save as Aston Villa beat Swansea 1-0 to move to within three points of the Championship playoff spots.
Conor Hourihane netted the game’s only goal but Aston Villa have to thank their shot-stopper Nyland for sealing them all three points. Aston Villa just didn’t get going in the first 15 minutes. It took Bersant Celina’s shot and Mike Van der Hoorn’s header to lift the visitors and respond.
And Dean Smith’s Aston Villa responded with the game’s best chance. Tammy Abraham headed Anwar El Ghazi’s cross down to McGinn, who fired on target. But the ball hit Swansea goalkeeper Erwin Mulder and stayed out.
Before the break, a Swansea breakaway should have led to a goal, but Daniel James crossed too late for Oli McBurnie and Villa snuffed out the danger. Tammy Abraham, Yannick Bolasie and John McGinn all headed wide at the other end as both sides went into the break with the scores level.
After the break, Mulder kept out Bolasie’s deflected effort and then beat away two Hourihane free-kicks as Villa grew into the game. And as the hosts upped the ante, Swansea finally crumbled.
Full-back Hutton found space down the left and he delivered a cross which Hourihane headed home. Mulder got a hand to it but the header was powerful as it went in off the bar.
Swansea threw on Bony and Nathan Dyer as they looked for an equaliser and Van der Hoorn’s header from a corner rebounded off the post before the late penalty drama. Dyer was unnecessarily bundled over by El Ghazi and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
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Bony stepped up and slammed the ball into the palms of Nyland, who produced a fine save to send the travelling fans into wild celebrations.
After the gritty 1-0 victory at Swansea, here’s how some Aston Villa fans reacted on Twitter.
Don’t need a new goalkeeper. Get the defence working and you will see him as one of the best goalkeepers in the league. He can’t do miracles alone #faith #shutUpTheNegative
— Arild Hagen Bakke (@bakkjen) December 26, 2018
That’s just what we needed lads UTV and well done @OrjanHNyland1
— Matt (@MainManMiIe) December 26, 2018
Fair play Nyland, you saved us all 3 points. Now 17 more to go 😆
— Xan (@xanfarmer) December 26, 2018
Do we need a new keeper? We needed competition. And it’s worked already.
— Terry Dale (@baldytel) December 26, 2018
Great response. Big big win UTV
— Dane bird (@Danebird7) December 26, 2018
give nyland a knighthood
— chlo (@chloeavfc_) December 26, 2018
Nyland using the Kalinic signing as a motivator. Great work 👍
— Ben (@ThatMetalNessie) December 26, 2018
Fantastic result!!! Well done lads
— driveitpaddy (@driveitpaddy83) December 26, 2018
Superb well done lads. Go on a big run now.
— Chez Avfc (@AvfcUTV1) December 26, 2018
YES! GET IN THERE! only 3 points behind a playoff spot and a clean sheet. Good win after the Leeds game, who again won 3-2, 2 goals in the last minute for them. UP THE VILLAAAAAA!!!
— Richard Benbow (@RichardBenbow79) December 26, 2018
Nice work! It’s a three-point day for The Villa! UTV!
— KCUR Morning Guy (@KCURMichael) December 26, 2018
Ørjan Nyland FC
— maiL (@Liam23C) December 26, 2018
