Wrexham 0 Villa 5

A lot of people have people have been fuming about the gamble Carey took for last night’s game, but while Wrexham matched Villa for long periods Carey was vindicated. Leaving out the experienced Anthony Williams, Danny Williams, Neil Roberts, and the talented Matty Done, for the visit of Premiership Aston Villa. Martin O’Neill put out a full strength side featuring the likes of Luke Moore, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Olaf Mellberg, Nigel Reo-Coker, and Marlon Harewood. Carey kept faith with the likes of inexperienced Carrots, Murtagh and Mackin, heroes of the last Carling Cup game at Port Vale. Steve Evans and Mark Jones also returned. Michael Proctor played as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation. Unusual, but for nearly an hour Wrexham certainly held their own.

The first half was fairly even, only a great solo Shaun Maloney run and finish dividing the sides 1-0 at half-time. Shortly into the second-half a great run from Eifion Williams saw him one-on-one with the Villa keeper who saved, yet had Williams scored, the game may have been different affair from then on. Soon after though, a Luke Moore header from a set-piece made it 2-0. Villa had set out to win this game, and went about it as ruthlessly, professionally and clinically as possible. Wrexham didn’t stand a chance. Villa were stronger, faster and better technically on the ball. Wrexham loyalties aside, it was impressive football to watch, Isaiah Osborne pulling the strings in the Villa midfield.

A Pejic error led to Reo-Coker bursting through and scoring to make it 3-0. Shaun Maloney who had a brilliant game scored with a long-range effort for his second goal. Marlon Harewood completed the drubbing following some soft defending at a corner from Wrexham. Had Eifion Williams put away one of Wrexham’s few real attempts on goal, and given Wrexham the confidence to frustrate Villa and get something out of the game, would there have been so many complaints about the line-up? The gulf between the Premiership and League 2 has never been bigger. Whichever team Carey put out would likely have been taken apart by Villa’s very expensively assembled side, the mood Villa were in. Credit should go to Martin O’Neill for motivating his side so well.

The only real worry is whether the confidence of the young Wrexham players will be too damaged by this result. It was a lesson for them, but the way they react to such an experience will test their mental toughness. If they can put it behind them and learn from it they will be better players. Things should be much different for visit of Hereford on Saturday however, and we may get a glimpse of our new midfield signing Silvio Spann. There’s still plenty to look forward too. After all, it was only the Carling Cup.

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Brian Carey's thoughts after the Villa Match

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