Villa beat NEC to end unbeaten run in style

Wednesday result

NEC 1-4 SC Villa

SC Villa were ruthless from the start and needed just 10 minutes to go ahead when Bayo Ali picked out Charles Lwanga, who finished calmly for the opener at Lugogo on Wednesday.

The visitors doubled their lead eight minutes later through another Lwanga strike after a dreadful mix-up at the back to consolidate their third position with a match to go in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

Goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo lost sight of a Ramsey Kawooya pass and the loose ball rolled kindly for the Villa forward to punish the error.

NEC struggled to recover from the early setbacks and Villa struck again in the 35th minute. 

Geoffrey Gagganga capitalised on another poor defensive clearance, lifting the ball over Ssebwalunyo to make it 3-0 before halftime.

The result effectively settled the contest and Villa remained comfortable even after being reduced to 10 men late on. 

Farouk Matovu was sent off in the 82nd minute after receiving a second booking for a foul on Warren Buule.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Villa added a fourth five minutes later when Hassan Mubiru connected well from a Najib Yiga corner to cap an impressive attacking display.

NEC grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time through Emmanuel Kulanga, whose spectacular bicycle kick from a Musa Ibrahim delivery provided the home fans with a rare moment to celebrate.

The hosts had gone nearly 20 matches unbeaten, with their last defeat coming last December against KCCA.

The victory moved Villa to 58 points from 29 matches, just one behind second-placed KCCA, while NEC remained fifth on 50 points with a game in hand.