AMSTERDAM – Premier League pains continued for Brad Guzan and Aston Villa, who fell into the relegation zone after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Hull City.
The US No. 1 notched two saves and captured a pair of crosses as the Villans lost for the fifth consecutive time in league play and saw their season-worst win drought reach 10 games. Guzan was left no chance when beaten by Nikica Jelavić's deflected shot midway through the first half and by Dame N'Doye on his own rebound in the 74th minute. In slipping to 18th place, Villa were shut out for the eighth time in their last 12 EPL matches.
One flight down in the Championship, Tim Ream ably held down left back as Bolton halted a three-game winless slide by topping guests Fulham 3-1.
In addition to helping to drive Wanderers up his flank with 13 completed forward passes in or into the attacking half, Ream executed two of his game-best four pass interceptions inside the area while adding three tackles. Thanks to their first win in four games, Bolton rose four rungs to 13th place.
Elsewhere, another solid center back effort from Jonathan Spector wasn't enough to keep Birmingham City from dropping a 1-0 home result to Millwall.
The Brums veteran pulled off a line clearance to go with five of the standard variety and picked up a late yellow card. Though winless in five league games, Birmingham stayed put in 11th place.
A strong outing from Daniel Williams also went to waste as Reading were blanked 2-0 by visiting Leeds United.
With the Royals down one and under 20 minutes to play, the US midfielder was robbed low on a break-in chance to equalize. Williams also rang up four tackles and three pass picks as the 14th place Royals were tagged with their first defeat in four games.
Also, Duane Holmes went unused in Huddersfield Town's 4-1 home loss to Wolverhampton, as did Oguchi Onyewu in Charlton's 3-2 defeat against visiting Norwich City.
