Fire Game Day: Aston leads 1-0 at halftimeFor enthusiastic fans of Aston Villa, Saturday's international friendly with the Fire was a good excuse to make a road trip.The game drew dozens of purple-clad fans to Chicago, some making the 3,800-mile flight from Birmingham, England while expatriates living in the United States opted for a drive.Wherever their home, fans of the Birmingham-based team were delighted as Aston Villa opened a 1-0 halftime lead over the Fire before an estimated 11,000 fans at Toyota Park.Aston broke a scoreless tie in the 29th minute when striker Gabriel Agbonlahor alertly headed a six-yard shot past Fire goalie Jay Nolly following a feed from teammate Chris Herd.Downers Grove native Eric Lichaj started for Aston Villa while the Fire presented a mix of reserves and regulars. Nolly was in the nets for his first start with the Fire first team. Orr Barouch also also got a rare start at forward.Based in Birmingham, England, Aston Villa was founded in 1874 and has won 19 major domestic titles, including seven in the English League and seven FA Cup crowns.One of the English Premier League's founding members, Aston went 7-14 with 17 draws during the 2011-12 season and narrowly avoided relegation to the Football League Championship level.But a new manager in Paul Lambert had some Aston Villa fans at Toyota Park feeling optimistic that better days are ahead in the 2012-13 Premier League season.The tour got off to a good start with last Thursday's 1-0 victory at Philadelphia on a goal by striker Nathan DelFouneso just before half. Aston Villa closes its three-city U.S. tour on Tuesday at Portland.It's the second straight year an EPL team has visited Chicago. Last July, Manchester United beat the Fire 3-1 at Soldier Field.In 2008, the Fire beat Everton 2-0 at Toyota Park.
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Topic: Chicago Fire vs Villa (Read 30552 times)
