Datafile ResultsPlayersClubsLeagues
Report

Saturday September 12 - FA Carling Premiership Attendance: 32,959

Aston Villa (1) 2 - Wimbledon (0) 0

Paul Merson made a dream debut to help send Aston Villa back to the top of the Premiership. Merson marked his first appearance following his £6.75m move from Middlesbrough with Villa's opening goal as they outclassed Wimbledon. The only surprise was that Villa did not add to Merson's strike and their second-half goal from Taylor, as Joe Kinnear's side struggled to get into their stride. They never once tested the Villa 'keeper Bosnich as they crashed to their first defeat of the season. The Dons had launched an amazing comeback in their previous game to beat West Ham, but never found that kind of form against Villa

GOALS
1-0 Aston Villa 44 mins Merson
Ehiogu was fouled by Leaburn and the £6.75 million man strode forward to take the resulting penalty, however when his left-footed spot-kick was saved by 'keeper Sullivan, Merson reacted quickly and chipped home the rebound from an acute angle

2-0 Aston Villa 56 mins Taylor
Charles made rapid strides down the right wing and floated over a cross from which the midfielder acrobatically volleyed home from 16 yards

MATCH RATING

TEAMS and player ratings

 MATCHfacts Rating
* MATCHfacts Star Rating
 
Aston Villa
Bosnich  7            
Charles  7            
Ehiogu  7            
Southgate  7            
Barry  8*            
Wright  6            
Hendrie  7            
Taylor  7 sub 86 mins by Draper -no rating-      
Thompson  6 sub 73 mins by Grayson -no rating-      
Joachim  7            
Merson  7 sub 88 mins by Scimeca -no rating-      
Subs not used: Oakes Vassell
 
Wimbledon
Sullivan  7            
Thatcher  6            
Perry  6            
Cunningham  6            
Kimble  5            
Euell  5            
Roberts  6 sub 88 mins by Fear -no rating-      
Hughes, M  8* sub 82 mins by Kennedy -no rating-      
Earle  7            
Leaburn  5            
Gayle  5 sub 79 mins by Ekoku -no rating-      
Subs not used: Heald McAllister

Referee D. R. Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill) (Rating 6)

Shots On Target: Aston Villa 7, Wimbledon 0

Corners: Aston Villa 3, Wimbledon 5