Okocha gets brace for Bolton

It was an emotional evening for Bolton fans, as skipper Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, playing his last game before leaving for the African Nations Cup, opened the scoring with a curling free-kick in the second minute.

Nolan took his time to line-up his shot from 20 yards out but was denied the chance by Peter Whittingham, who clipped him from behind.

The Wanderers' skipper stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and his curling right-foot effort found the back of the net thanks to a hint of a deflection from Jlloyd Samuel.

It was not an all Okocha's affair as Kevin Nolan, Stelios Giannakopoulos and Bruno N'Gotty got Bolton other strikes on the night, to end the tie 5-2.

Free kick Specialist
Jay-Jay may not posses the 'Bend it like Beckham charisma' but he stunned Villa in a lightening pace in the 80th minute as he rounded off his farewell with a second stunning goal.

The Nigerian's free-kick swerved before rocketing back into the corner of the net to hand Bolton a three-goal advantage to put Bolton on the edge ahead of the second leg billed for Villa Park.

Newsmaker
The former PSG star had figured in the news more than any other player ahead of the 24th Africa cup of nations which gets underway in Tunisia on 24 January.

His burning passion for the Bolton's course led to his inability to make the Super Eagles training camp in Faro, Portugal

"I have been in the national team almost 11 years and I expect them to give me something in return.

"It is better for them to reason with me. We don't have a big squad at Bolton, so it is very important I stay as long as I can" He told Bolton TV few days back.
 

Meanwhile,two brilliant strikes from Villa's inspirational star,Juan Pablo Angel, was not enough to deny Sam Allardyce's side a valuable first leg victory.