Returning duo provide the rarest of highlights for Villa fans
STEVE Bruce handed Tommy Elphick and Scott Hogan rare starts against Brentford on Boxing Night as the Aston Villa manager shuffled his pack to combat the hectic Christmas schedule.
The manager made three changes in total to the starting XI who threw away a two-goal lead against Sheffield United on Saturday, with rightback Alan Hutton also returning.
But it was Elphick and Hogan’s inclusions which created the biggest stir when the teams were announced.
Elphick hadn’t started a Championship match all season and had only returned to the bench since John Terry was ruled out with a broken metatarsal.
Chris Samba’s hamstring niggle and Mile Jedinak’s defensive mishaps against the Blades presented Elphick with a late Christmas gift.
Hogan, meanwhile, has seen his Villa career blighted by injuries since joining from Brentford for £12 million in January.
Ankle problems last season and a stomach operation in November have limited his involvement.
But a return to his old stomping ground, where the foundations were laid for his big move, saw Bruce throw him in.
Here’s how Villa’s fared at Griffin Park... returning duo The former Bournemouth skipper started on the right side of the central defensive partnership with James Chester shifting to the left.
Elphick kept things nice and simple during the first half and defended well when called upon.
But the referee’s whistle to begin the second period acted as Elphick’s cue to roll back the years.
Glenn Whelan was dispossessed in midfield by Sergi Canos and the Spaniard charged forward before hitting a shot against Elphick, which completely wrong-footed Sam Johnstone.
However, with the keeper beaten, Elphick recovered and beat Canos to the punch to prevent a certain goal with a sensational sliding challenge.
There was one moment which gave Villa fans the jitters as he tried to beat Lasse Vibe and was tackled yards away from his own box with little cover.
The 30-year-old fouled the striker and was booked.
The striker’s first involvement saw him become the victim of a firm, but fair, challenge on the edge of Brentford’s box.
Hogan’s former team-mates wanted him to know they were there, as
did supporters who chanted: “You only went for the money.”
But within half-an-hour, Brentford might have wished they had been a little more friendly to their former favourite as he crossed superbly for Josh Onomah to level with a fine header. Hogan thought he had found the net before half-time following a neat one-two with Jack Grealish and finish over Daniel Bentley.
But he turned to discover the assistant referee’s flag was raised – and rightly so on this occasion.
After glimpses of his quality in the first half, he was marginalised in the second with Brentford firmly on top for large spells.
Bruce said before the game: “It’s his time.’’
Well, it wasn’t quite, but the signs are certainly there if Villa play to his strengths.