FOOTBALL Live

Sunday January 4, 2009 Finished

1 - 2

Gillingham

Jackson 58’

Aston Villa

Milner 13’, 78’ (pen.)

Milner double sends Villa through

James Milner scored twice as Aston Villa overcame League Two Gillingham with a 2-1 FA Cup third-round victory at the Priestfield. More

Live Commentary
Time:90'
- Gillingham
- Aston Villa
- - Thanks for joining me this afternoon; you stick around at Eurosport-Yahoo, we've got plenty here to keep you entertained.
- 90+3 FULL-TIME: Villa take their place in the fourth round with a very hard-earned victory, with James Milner grabbing his first two goals for the club. Gillingham can be proud of themselves; they put up quite a fight.
- 90+3 ...up goes the keeper as the corner comes into the middle...but Villa manage to clear!
- 90+2 GILLINGHAM WIN A LATE CORNER...ROYCE IS SENT FORWARD...
- 90 CHANCE! Young looks tired as he is set down the right...his first touch takes him too wide, and his eventual shot is blocked by King.
- 89 Young gets free down the right, but his cross is rather careless and straight to the keeper.
- 88 Some high balls thrown into the Villa box cause a moment or two of concern, but Davies and Knight have been excellent at dealing with those sorts of threats this afternoon.
- 87 A free-kick into the Villa box is headed high into the air by Oli...Freidel calmly collects.
- 86 Gillingham are desperately trying to keep the tempo high in the final stages as they look for some pressure on the Villa goal...
- 85 Young finds some space through the middle...30 yards from goal, he opts to lay the ball into the path of Harewood down the right...but the sub's low cross is cut out.
- 83 Lewis throws a high, swirling cross into the middle from the right...it looks to come off the head of Davies, but the referee awards a goalkick.
- 82 Martin O'Neill looks a lot calmer on the sidelines than he did ten minutes ago, when he was furious at the treatment of some of his players.
- 81 Can Gillingham raise themselves for one last effort, or will Villa be able to see this match out?
- 79 There is a bit of a problem with the lights....half of one of the spotlights have failed...it should be light enough to finish it, I hope.
- 78 Milner steps up...GOAL! TUCKED INTO THE CORNER!
- 77 PENALTY! YOUNG EARNS A SPOT KICK! The little winger spins away from his marker and is clattered by Lewis...harsh decision, but the referee is sure!
- 77 Cracking finish to this tie as both sides go flat out for a winner.
- 76 Young stands over the free-kick...lots of pushing and shoving in the box...
- 75 Villa win a free-kick in a dangerous spot on the left-edge of the box when Lewis shoves young, earning a booking for the challenge.
- 74 OVER! Davies fires in a superb cross from the right after collecting a half-cleared corner...centre-back partner Knight leaps highest for the header...but plants his effort high over the bar!
- 73 BLOCK! King throws himself into two blocks as Gardener blasts in two efforts on goal from just inside the box.
- 72 OOH! Delfouneso shows great skill to earn himself a bit of space to shoot...his low effort bouncing an inch wide of the post.
- 71 Milner and Young again lead the Villa break...the tricky little winger tries to jink his way past King, but the defender stands firm.
- 70 It's all getting pretty excitable down their on the benches...O'Neill is furious, he is convinced that Gillingham are getting a bit reckless in their enthusiasm to close this game out.
- 69 Decent spell of pressure from Villa, who throw some long balls into the box...Royce deals well, coming through a crowd to punch clear.
- 68 Young looks to be in some pain after that challenge...he hobbles off for some more attention.
- 67 Young is brought down by Bentley...poor challenge, that stopped a clear break down the right by the speedy winger...O'Neill is furious.
- 66 Gillingham win a corner when they launch an immediate break of their own...
- 65 Villa break through Milner down the middle...he feeds Young on the left...but his cross is easily picked out of the air by the keeper.
- 63 Barcham is booked for a poor challenge out on the right...
- 62 Knight is forward from the back again as Villa look to throw a dangerous cross into the middle...Royce comes through a crowd to punch clear.
- 61 Villa win a free-kick...Davies and Knight go forward from the back, but Shorey's delivery is poor.
- 60 Amazing scens on the side of the pitch where the groundsman and a couple of stewards are having to rebuild a wall that the Gillingham players knocked over during their celebrations.
- 59 WOW! That goal has really sparked this match to life! To be fair the home side do deserve to be level...we have a fine final half-hour in store!
- 58 GOAL! STUNNING GOAL! Jackson sprints on to Mulligan's flick on before lashing a shot inside the near post! Superb finish!
- 58 POOR! Delfouneso does well to hold the ball up before rolling it back to Sidwell...dreadful shot from the edge of the box by the midfielder.
- 57 Stimson looks to be pondering subsitutes; he is looking at his bench whilst thinking about his next move.
- 56 Jackson controls the ball and spins before trying to play in Mulligan...poor ball, and Knight intercepts.
- 55 Young has been stranded a little bit out on the wing; Villa have not been able to get the ball to him in dangerous spots very often so far this afternoon.
- 54 Delfouneso heads well wide as Milner picks him out with a cross into the middle...more difficult chance than the first half, but still an opportunity wasted by the youngster.
- 53 Jackson shins a shot wide as a corner isn't cleared properly by Ashley Young's overhead kick.
- 52 Nutter's fine cross almost finds Mulligan...Davies clears for a corner at the near post.
- 50 Villa are attacking their 1000#plus; supporters behind the goal...a free-kick is lofted into the middle by Shorey...easily claimed by Royce.
- 48 Gardener frees Milner down the middle...he opts for an early low shot...which Royce does well to get down to and palm clear.
- 47 Weston slips at the key moment as he tries to release Olic down the right. More signs that this pitch is causing a problem or two for the players.
- 46 The second half is underway...
- 45 HALF-TIME: Villa have the lead, but it has been a very even half that Gillingham threatened in. Promises much for the second period.
- 44 Young does brilliantly to skip away from one challenge on the edge of the box...but his left-foot shot lacks a bit of venom and Royce collects easily.
- 43 Villa are forced back into their own corner as Gillingham look to assert a little pressure in the final stages of the half.
- 42 Gillingham do well to clear a deflected cross into the box; they have defended well so far - apart for the error to the goal.
- 41 Milner tries to slice a long ball through for Young to chase down the left-channel...too strong and the keeper collects.
- 40 Villa have taken the sting out of the game in the last ten minutes or so; they will be content with their first-half work.
- 38 WHAT A CHANCE! Milner clips a fine pass into the box for Delfoueso...he has time to cushion the ball...but opts for a first-time effort on the volley...over the bar.
- 37 Both players are taking a lot of attention from their physios...but they both seem okay.
- 36 A clash of heads between Miller and Petrov has both physios on the field.
- 35 Jackson thinks he has robbed the ball from Knight and got through on goal...the referee blows for a foul on the defender as the striker challenged.
- 34 Davies is shown a yellow card for a lunging tackle on Olic as the flying winger tried to get away down the right.
- 32 Gardener gives away a foul on the very busy Weston in midfield; the former Millwall man - who actually played a minute in the final against Manchester United a couple of years ago - is bossing the midfield area.
- 31 Ironic cheers from the crowd as Ashley Young mis-kicks a cross...he looks suspiciously at the ground, wondering if the ball took a bobble.
- 30 Royce's clearance is poor...Petrov gets onto it, but can't find a man in a good position and turns backwards.
- 29 Barcham again tries to get around Reo-Coker down the Gills left...the defender does well to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
- 28 CLOSE! Another good delivery into the box...flicked on...and the ball flashes off the head of Jackson and wide of the far post.
- 28 Another free-kick for Gillingham as Davies brings down Jackson, 40 yards from goal...everyone goes forward again...
- 27 ...this time Friedel claims under pressure. Good spell from the lower-league side.
- 26 Gillingham take the corner short...and win a second when Davies cuts it out on the left-edge of the box...tossed in to the six-yard box...Friedel punches behind for a third corner...
- 25 DEFLECTED WIDE! The ball is shifted to Miller...he drives hard and low...the ball deflects off the edge of the wall and a yard or so wide! Close!
- 25 Friedel build an extensive wall as Nutter stands over the ball, 18 yards out...the crowd build up...sensing a chance for the equaliser as the referee makes sure the wall is back the full ten yards...
- 24 FREE-KICK ON THE EDGE! Oli shows great pace and skill to cut across the face of the penalty area from the right...he is tripped by Reo-Coker...everyone looks to the referee...who awards the free-kick right on the edge of the box!
- 23 That was an important challenge from Knight, because if he had not timed it correctly, he would have been sent off for certain.
- 22 ALMOST A DISASTER! Milner's backpass from half-way is really poor...Jackson sprints onto it...but Knight times his challenge superbly on the edge of the box to clear.
- 21 Gardener is taken down by Miller in midfield...Villa take it quickly...
- 20 WHAT A CHANCE! Oli finds the side-netting after a cut-back from the by-line...the flag was up anyway, although I'm not sure for what. No-one was offside that I could see.
- 19 Gillingham have seen plenty of the ball - 52% to Villa's 48% - in the opening twenty minutes; they just need to get it forward a little quicker from midfield.
- 18 Weston picks the ball up, finds some space in midfield and tries to play his man through the middle...cut out by Davies.
- 17 Gillingham win a free-kick when Reo-Coker gives away a foul, 30 yards out on the left...Nutter stands over it...cleared on the penalty spot.
- 16 Ashley Young is limping around after taking a knock from King on the back of the ankle.
- 15 That is Milner's first goal for Villa since his move from Newcastle; Miller was unfortunate that the ball took a bobble as he went to control it, allowing Milner to rob him in a dangerous area.
- 13 GREAT GOAL! Milner robs the ball in midfield from Miller...he plays a fine one-two with Petrov...and Milner places his shot into the far corner from the edge of the box to make the breakthrough!
- 12 It is James Milner's birthday today; he's 23. Crikey, 23...I remember when I was 23...happy days, eh?...some of the best days of my life were when I was 23.
- 11 A strong tackle from Stuart Lewis on James Milner gets the crowd going; Milner is penalised shortly afterwards for a high foot on his marker Lewis. Brave boy to go in with his head on that bouncing ball.
- 10 Gillingham are playing with a nice amount of confidence; no sign that they are going to be intimidated by Villa. The home side are prepared to knock the ball about, especially across the back.
- 9 Villa have won their last four away games in the Premier League, but not all that convincingly; they needed a last-minute goal to beat Hull last week.
- 8 Craig Gardner almost gets around his man and into the box after breaking a tackle down the right channel.
- 7 The pitch is a little bit bobbly this afternoon, probably due to the heavy frost overnight in these parts; aparently, the groundsman got up every 30 minutes during the night to check on the pitch. That's dedication for you.
- 6 Royce takes a chance when he elects to evade Delfouneso rather than clear first-time...thankfully he keeps his feet and the striker buys the dummy.
- 5 A long ball over the top is allowed to bounce by the Villa defence...the crowd get excited...but Knight comes across to clear.
- 4 Delfouneso has played five times for Villa in Europe this season, but this is his first start in domestic football; he looks to be a big strong lad.
- 3 Villa have got a strong side out today; no sign that manager O'Neill is taking this competition lightly.
- 2 We have a capacity crowd of around 10,000 in Priestfields for this match; the little town of Gillingham hasn't seen a day like this since...well, since they played the mighty Manchester City in the play-off final back in 1998.
- 1 WE'RE UNDERWAY! You just try and convince me you're not excited about this match!
- - The players are out, the crowd have been whipped into a virtual frenzy, and we are just micro-seconds from the start of the action...
- - Gillingham, 10th in Coca-Cola League Two, name five youth-team players on their bench, including Charlie Stimson, the 16-year-old son of manager Mark.
- - Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has made three changes. The Villa boss left out England midfielder Gareth Barry, defender Luke Young and ill striker Gabriel Agbonlahor. Nicky Shorey, Craig Gardner and teenage striker Nathan Delfouneso started in their places.
- - Hi there; welcome to our coverage of this intriguing little FA Cup cracker in the wintery Garden of England...
Summary
- 78 Milner steps up...GOAL! TUCKED INTO THE CORNER!
- 77 PENALTY! YOUNG EARNS A SPOT KICK! The little winger spins away from his marker and is clattered by Lewis...harsh decision, but the referee is sure!
- 74 OVER! Davies fires in a superb cross from the right after collecting a half-cleared corner...centre-back partner Knight leaps highest for the header...but plants his effort high over the bar!
- 72 OOH! Delfouneso shows great skill to earn himself a bit of space to shoot...his low effort bouncing an inch wide of the post.
- 58 GOAL! STUNNING GOAL! Jackson sprints on to Mulligan's flick on before lashing a shot inside the near post! Superb finish!
- 38 WHAT A CHANCE! Milner clips a fine pass into the box for Delfoueso...he has time to cushion the ball...but opts for a first-time effort on the volley...over the bar.
- 28 CLOSE! Another good delivery into the box...flicked on...and the ball flashes off the head of Jackson and wide of the far post.
- 25 DEFLECTED WIDE! The ball is shifted to Miller...he drives hard and low...the ball deflects off the edge of the wall and a yard or so wide! Close!
- 24 FREE-KICK ON THE EDGE! Oli shows great pace and skill to cut across the face of the penalty area from the right...he is tripped by Reo-Coker...everyone looks to the referee...who awards the free-kick right on the edge of the box!
- 22 ALMOST A DISASTER! Milner's backpass from half-way is really poor...Jackson sprints onto it...but Knight times his challenge superbly on the edge of the box to clear.
- 20 WHAT A CHANCE! Oli finds the side-netting after a cut-back from the by-line...the flag was up anyway, although I'm not sure for what. No-one was offside that I could see.
- 13 GREAT GOAL! Milner robs the ball in midfield from Miller...he plays a fine one-two with Petrov...and Milner places his shot into the far corner from the edge of the box to make the breakthrough!

Live Team Line-Up

Referee: Keith Stroud
Gillingham

Captain: Mark Bentley

Starting line-up
- S. Royce
- A. Barcham
- M. Bentley
- S. King
- J. Nutter
- G. Mulligan
- C. Weston
- S. Lewis
- A. Miller
- D. Oli
- S. Jackson
Subs
- A. Pugh
- A. Julian
- M. Stimson
- C. Essam
- L. Rooney
- D. Rance
- J. Payne
Injured

None

Suspended

None
Aston Villa

Manager: Martin O'Neill

Starting line-up
- B. Friedel
- N. Reo-Coker
- Z. Knight
- C. Davies
- N. Shorey
- S. Sidwell
- C. Gardner
- S. Petrov
- J. Milner
- A. Young
- N. Delfouneso
Subs
- M. Harewood 72′
- M. Salifou
- I. Osbourne
- B. Guzan
- C. Clarke
- B. Bannan
- S. Lowry
Injured
- J. Carew
- M. Laursen
- C. Cuellar
- G. Agbonlahor
Suspended

None