Bolton Wanderers 1-4 Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard’s side come from behind to win
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Danny Ings won and then converted a penalty as Aston Villa fought back at Bolton
Aston Villa were forced to come from behind as Steven Gerrard’s side avoided a Carabao Cup upset at the hands of League One Bolton Wanderers.
The Premier League visitors trailed after Dion Charles’ 24th-minute opener at the University of Bolton Stadium.
However, Douglas Luiz scored directly from a corner to bring five-time winners Villa level before half-time.
Danny Ings completed the turnaround from the penalty spot before Lucas Digne and Leon Bailey sealed victory.
Gerrard said his side would treat Tuesday’s tie with “serious importance” as they sought to avoid a cup upset following Sunday’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace.
Pressure is threatening to build on the former Rangers boss following a run of three league wins in 14 games since March and, reiterating the need to respect the opposition prior to kick-off, the Villa boss named a strong line-up.
Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho and forward Ings were among five players to come in, though it was a determined Bolton who fired the first warning shot as Elias Kachunga drilled wide inside the opening five minutes.
With Ollie Watkins clearly offside as he poked in an attempt from Ings, the stadium erupted as Charles put the hosts ahead following excellent work by Kieran Lee to beat Calum Chambers.
The Premier League side equalised in bizarre fashion as Luiz’s right-footed set-piece evaded the reach of goalkeeper Joel Dixon amid a crowded six-yard box and floated into the top corner.
Gerrard sent his players out early for the second half and the visitors appeared much brighter after the restart – Ings clipping the post from an angle.
The striker was deemed marginally onside just after the hour as he raced through on goal before being felled by Dixon’s outstretched leg, emphatically dispatching the resulting penalty.
Digne then extended the advantage with his first goal for the club three minutes later, while Bailey cut in from the right before finding the far bottom corner to cap a much-improved second-half display.
“You are always looking for the right reaction and response,” said Gerrard, adding that his side could now approach a “huge” league meeting with West Ham on Sunday “with a bit more confidence and belief”.
On that upcoming fixture, he added: “We’re at home with our fans behind us and if we manage to achieve what we want to achieve, it will settle a few things down.”
Line-ups Bolton
Formation 3-4-1-2
12Dixon
15Aimson5Almeida Santos6Johnston
21Bradley20Lee4Williams3John
17Afolayan
24Kachunga10Charles
Substitutes
Aston Villa
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
1Martínez
18Young16Chambers5Mings27Digne
44Kamara
6Douglas Luiz7McGinn
23Coutinho
9Ings11Watkins
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Aston Villa 4.
90’+3′
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Aston Villa 4.
90’+1′
Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+1′
Foul by Will Aimson (Bolton Wanderers).
90’+1′
Attempt saved. John McGinn (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ashley Young with a through ball.
90′
Attempt saved. Cameron Archer (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Emiliano Buendía.
88′
Attempt saved. Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Leon Bailey.
87′
Goal! Bolton Wanderers 1, Aston Villa 4. Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emiliano Buendía.
84′
Substitution, Aston Villa. Tim Iroegbunam replaces Douglas Luiz.
82′
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Kieran Sadlier replaces Conor Bradley.
82′
Substitution, Aston Villa. Cameron Archer replaces Danny Ings.
81′
Ashley Young (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81′
Foul by Amadou Bakayoko (Bolton Wanderers).
80′
Corner, Bolton Wanderers. Conceded by Jacob Ramsey.
79′
Attempt saved. Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
71′
Substitution, Aston Villa. Emiliano Buendía replaces Philippe Coutinho.
71′
Substitution, Aston Villa. Jacob Ramsey replaces Boubacar Kamara.
71′
Substitution, Aston Villa. Leon Bailey replaces Ollie Watkins.
71′
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Amadou Bakayoko replaces Oladapo Afolayan.
70′
Attempt missed. John McGinn (Aston Villa) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
