Wanderers 5 Aston Villa 2:Even a touch of Columbian luck and a linesman who forgot his flag could not deter a wonderful display of football from Big Sam's team in which if David O'Leary did not have sleepless nights about playing the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha then he must surely be having nightmares now writes Dave Green
All that was missing from the embarrassed manager was a white flag that must have gone missing with the linesman's flag. Big Sam will say that the tie is not over with yet but you can bet he is being measured up for his Cup Final suit as we speak.
Aston Villa will be cursing that Jay-Jay did not leave for Tunisia before this match so that they would have been on a more level playing field with an experienced Bolton team who must be cock-a-hoop with the result that showed their greater superior skills that in other matches this season they have not had just reward.
The first goal from Jay-Jay ignited an explosion of fireworks to replace the now banned firework display that the Reebok used to have before matches and to cap this off for the last goal Jay-Jay sent what can only be described as a side-winder missile screaming into a grateful net that was easy viewing for the baying Bolton fans.
If that was not enough Nolan showed power and guile for his goal followed by a Stelios bicycle kick that would have won any Tour-De-France event and this was even followed by Bruno N'Gotty heading a great goal that rewarded a great display from the French defender.
This report cannot end without the final word being about Jay-Jay Okocha who is a football genius who deserves to lift the Carling Cup Trophy at the Millennium Stadium on the 29th February just on this display alone.
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