With a sound defensive platform, the midfieldandfull-backs were suddenlyliberated: the shift to an ostensiblymoredefensive shape actuallymadeEngland a more fluentattacking side.
All of this has suddenly thrown Obama on the defensive, which is why on Thursday he will try to go back on offense by delivering a big speech that Gibbs promises will detail a hefty part of the president's plan to shut down Guantanamo.
By then Darren Bent had already had an effort rightly ruled out for offside and, after conceding twice in 15 minutes against Wolves, it will be a source of concern to O'Neill that Villa - who have the Premier League's best defensive record - have suddenly assumed an uncharacteristic air of vulnerability.