SENSATIONAL SNODGRASS GIVES OWLS NIGHTMARES
Scots winger leads raiding party
AVIRTUOSO display from Robert Snodgrass saw Aston Villa snatch victory with a late smash and grab at Hillsborough.
Twice behind and comprehensively outplayed in a shocking first half, the Villans looked set to extend their winless run to three matches.
But an equaliser from Owls old boy Glenn Whelan and a fine strike from Conor Hourihane flipped the match on its head before Snodgrass capped an exhilarating comeback from the spot.
Snodgrass, on loan from West Ham, made two goals, won the penalty and single-handedly dragged his side back into the contest to demonstrate why he has moved for fees totalling more than £20m over his career.
The 30-year-old Scot even had time to bait a seething home support, ensuring a tasty send-off as he retreated to the team coach.
“They’re all waiting for him outside but that’s just frustration because they’d like him on their team,” said Villa manager Steve Bruce, who rebuffed an attempt by Hammers boss David Moyes to recall Snodgrass in January.
“He’s clever. He’s a dribbler. He draws a foul. He’s one of that dying breed of wingers in that he hasn’t got natural pace but he’ll beat you with a trick.
“He’s been invaluable to us, and you saw why today. It was a great ball in for Whelan and a great penalty. He’s been a fantastic acquisition.”
Bruce, who said his side were “reminded of a few things” at the break, added that “anyone who comes to Hillsborough and scores four goals deserves to win”.
On this evidence, it is difficult to concur. Criticised for failing to field a striker at Millwall in midweek, Jos Luhukay played two up front and the transformation was stark. Wednesday tore into Villa and deservedly went ahead when the excellent George Boyd crossed for Atdhe Nuhiu. The giant Kosovan chested down for Sean Clare, who dispatched his first Owls goal from the edge of the box.
Clare, 21, was recalled in January after an impressive spell on loan at Gillingham and for an hour was the best player on the park, a surging ball of energy who regularly threatened from range.
“For Sean, it is a very good feeling,” said Luhukay. “His performance is very positive for the club.”
Though Grabban levelled from a goalmouth scramble, the pattern changed little. Lucas Joao headed wide, Boyd struck a post, a Jack Hunt piledriver was tipped over the bar. When Joao headed home an Adam Reach corner seconds before the break, it was the least Wednesday deserved.
Enter Snodgrass. First, the winger dug out a beauty of a cross that Whelan could not fail to nod home at the back post.
The 34-year-old did not celebrate, reflecting either respect for a four-year stint at Hillsborough or surprise at a first goal since 2011. “He was probably just in shock,” said Bruce.
Then, after Nuhiu had spurned yet another opportunity for the Owls, a Snodgrass corner picked out Hourihane, who lashed in a sweet half-volley from the edge of the box.
Finally, with Wednesday reeling, Snodgrass weaved his way into the area, tumbled in a tangle of legs and, as the home fans raged, smashed home the spotkick. “I don’t know what they’re complaining about because they nearly kicked him over the Kop,” insisted Bruce. Luhukay emphasised the positives but could not escape the fact that his side have now won just one of their last ten games. Nor should he escape criticism for failing to make a single substitution, despite several players visibly flagging.
“We thought about it but our midfield and strikers were good in the game,” he explained. “Atdhe, Lucas…it was difficult for them because we dropped deep but they played well.
“When you do something you have to be sure it will make the team better.”