After victory against Rotherham in mid-week spirits are high, despite the occasional blustery shower. Whilst the weather fails to dent the mood, the first-half sadly saps the sell-out crowd. Villa appear listless, unable to make much impact on the muscular and well-organised Owls.
It comes as little surprise when Marco da Silva nets the opener for Sheffield shortly after the break. The goal kick-starts Villa into action, albeit on a temporary basis. A fantastic volley from John McGinn draws us level and ten minutes of sustained Villa pressure follows.
Sadly, it turns out to be yet another false dawn. We concede a second, a header from Steven Fletcher and there's no way back. Time after time this season the Villa defence has leaked goals. The back-line now looks more porous than a paper submarine at the bottom of the North Sea with recent attempts to bolster its ranks seemingly sponsored by Age Concern.
Oh well, there's always another game ...
