The purpose of this blog is to review games I have been to this season and try to give a balanced view of them (though this aim sometimes gets obscured in the heat of the moment). I will break this, however, to talk about Martin Jol's exit from Spurs.
Never has a managers' departure (or sacking) smacked of such ungratefulness. Spurs supporters I know are torn between support for Jol and despair at their league position, but the fickleness of even this fenced view is massively unreasonable. For those of you with short memories Spurs were hardly uprooting saplings when Jol took over. A couple of league cup runs had not satisfied their support who were used to better (why does that sound so familiar?) but unlike us they hadn't made any headlines in the league for about fifteen years. The discontented support probably hadn't recovered from the shock of losing their captain, youth product and all-round hero to their fiercest rivals. But this defection from Sol Campbell was an illustration and bi-product of their total mediocrity.
After three games of this season, though, Martin Jol suddenly wasn't good enough for those North London behemoths of world football. After the Everton home reverse I listened to fan after spoiled fan spit their disillusioned views down the phoned at Alan Green and laughed at the suggestion of sacking Jol. But not enough of their fans laughed with me and suddenly the band-wagon developed some momentum. And then Daniel Levy started to show his conniving side.
After this sorry episode the definition of 'levying' should be changed to mean 'back-stabbing your most honourable ally in a vain, fantastical attempt at some ill-concieved ambition'. To court other managers as he blatantly and unapologetically did backed his manager into an impossible position. All it needed was for Levy to publicly ridicule the sentiment that Jol should go and try to unite everyone behind him again. Instead he put him on trial and the prosecuting evidence understandably mounted.
Spurs' results have undoubtedly been poor but I think the unnecessary pressure put on the squad and management have been the key factor in this. For a temperamental team with an embryonic defence playing every week with the knowledge your managers job rests on every kick was clearly a damaging factor. I think most of the football world and most supporters of the game sympathise with the Dutchman, but now Levy and those impatient fans deserve a bumpy return to earth.
Aston Villa 1-4 Manchester United
This was just the latest chapter in what has frankly been a bewildering season. The result should never have been questioned; as heroic late failure follows British sport the phrase 'away victory' follows this fixture, however this was a vibrant and memorable match that lived on the edge of extremity; the crowd was loud and large, there were goals and incidents galore, attacking of the highest quality, defending of the lowest. And Rob Styles once again showed off his senseless television personna.
The warning signs for us were there from the outset. After five minutes United had worked the ball well on several occasions and almost created chances, I remarked to my Dad that we couldn't get away with defending as deep as we did against Chelsea and giving them so much space, that turned out to be the understatement of the day (not that it had much competition on an occasion drenched in flair). We raised our game, albeit to a level slightly below their's, and an absorbing game raced around the pitch. Then on twelve minutes came another North Stand goal from Gabby against a top team. It is hard to translate into physical English the maelstrom this was met with but needless to say it was raucous and prolonged. For the first time in a league match at Villa Park for over six years we were leading Manchester United.
For around twenty minutes after that we battled in our own half and created in theirs. A lively Luke Moore robbed Wes Brown and skimmed a shot just wide. Craig Gardner showed a lovely turn and touch of skill before again shooting wide. Ashley Young had the audacity to flick the ball up and rocket it just over the bar. Brimful of confidence we set about trying to extend our lead and maybe, just maybe consider the unreckonable victory.
But then, and hopefully this isn't a portentous metaphor, our brave new dawn faded and lost its hope with one non-swing of Zat Knight's left boot. The cross Nani delivered was actually one of the least threatening situations of the half, though it followed some more crisp movement from the visitors, but even before the ball had rolled out of Knight's reach I, like half the Holte, had turned away in disgust. The goal was affirmed by a typically affronting travelling support of Mancs and the shift in atmosphere was so tangible you could feel it. Now the old habits started to kick in and supposed new era only had three representatives left on the pitch; Gabby, Young and Laursen. I don't want to describe the last ten minutes of the first half, they were continual heavy body blows from a playground bully who has just been let back onto his feet.
The Villa Park crowd will always believe in Aston Villa, though, and we didn't bow to the inevitable at the start of the second half. Our opponents were clearly enjoying themselves, possibly a little too much for the stage in the game, but we responded positively and pushed United back, almost scoring ourselves. Than Nigel Reo-Coker committed his second foul of the game and Rob Styles, half turned to allow an advantage, saw his opportunity to get some camera time. I have talked at length about this decision since but nothing has changed the view I had at the time. It was a foul, and had Styles not needlessly booked Reo-Coker in the first half maybe a first yellow. But a second yellow without a warning? Only an imcompetent, petty, inconsistent, unnecessary autocrat like Stiles would have sent him off.
Then in the next significant action we sent everyone but Bouma up for a corner which was cleared far too easily and were struck with a classic counter attack. Carson scyther Tevez down and a clear penalty was rightly awarded. But not content with these already large contributions Styles ignores a blatantly covering Isiah Osbourne and reaches for another red card. Interesting that the last time he refereed this fixture at the same venue Style sent off two players, both for Manchester United. Both were also examples of his staggeringly unreasonable and almost evangelical style of refereeing - Fletcher sent off for twice kicking the ball away (no warning given) and Ronaldo for playing on after the whistle had gone. Later in the game Nelson Pique took Gabby's legs away on the edge of their area but despite reaching for a card Styles decided this offence had not been worthy of his coward-tinged flourish, and its effect on the game would be far too minimal.
It may seem that I am deflecting blame for our defeat on the referee. I am not. He did, however, stop us from having any chance of coming back into it and his performance was so irritating yet predictable that I can't help but comment on it. Scott Carson aptly summed up his dismissal when he said "I think at 3-1 down with only ten men, I think it is a bit harsh but if it it was 0-0, then fair enough." If only Rob Styles had any such common sense, or even awareness of common sense.
And so a second palpable shift in atmosphere occurred. The empty seats of rugby viewers became apparent before the second loudest, but most intensely felt cheers of the day when Rooney's spot kick was saved. This was our outpour of aggrievance. The Holte End now became a collective statement of defiance. And home pass was cheered, and move exulted, any away movement booed and any contribution from Mr Styles ridiculed, probably by both sets of fans as he followed the usual and most annoying pattern of trying to even things up with weak free kicks. Young and Agbonlahor clearly felt let down by most of the rest of the team and the frustration was clear in their play as they fought against an overpowering tide.
An irrelevant fourth goal was added, and this further polarised the home support as more rugby viewers snuck out early. I'm glad they lost. Meanwhile up on the Holte we were having, relatively, a great time. I could stand freely without anyone being annoyed, as could a fair few others and the atmosphere was lit with pride as our nine Villamen bravely battled. On leaving the ground I was struck but how many people were still singing, loudly, walking through the car park. The belief was still there and the pride was still there. There is a collective force about our club that is united and total, and it will take more than a sound home thrashing to halt it.
*Editorial* Reading this back I have given nowhere near enough credit to Man Utd for their performance. The last twenty minutes of the first half was the best football I have ever seen and Tevez and Rooney, if they weren't shredding us, would have been a joy to watch. I feel we yielded too much ground but a lot of teams will struggle to cope with Manchester's front six this season. It was quite breath-taking at times.
The warning signs for us were there from the outset. After five minutes United had worked the ball well on several occasions and almost created chances, I remarked to my Dad that we couldn't get away with defending as deep as we did against Chelsea and giving them so much space, that turned out to be the understatement of the day (not that it had much competition on an occasion drenched in flair). We raised our game, albeit to a level slightly below their's, and an absorbing game raced around the pitch. Then on twelve minutes came another North Stand goal from Gabby against a top team. It is hard to translate into physical English the maelstrom this was met with but needless to say it was raucous and prolonged. For the first time in a league match at Villa Park for over six years we were leading Manchester United.
For around twenty minutes after that we battled in our own half and created in theirs. A lively Luke Moore robbed Wes Brown and skimmed a shot just wide. Craig Gardner showed a lovely turn and touch of skill before again shooting wide. Ashley Young had the audacity to flick the ball up and rocket it just over the bar. Brimful of confidence we set about trying to extend our lead and maybe, just maybe consider the unreckonable victory.
But then, and hopefully this isn't a portentous metaphor, our brave new dawn faded and lost its hope with one non-swing of Zat Knight's left boot. The cross Nani delivered was actually one of the least threatening situations of the half, though it followed some more crisp movement from the visitors, but even before the ball had rolled out of Knight's reach I, like half the Holte, had turned away in disgust. The goal was affirmed by a typically affronting travelling support of Mancs and the shift in atmosphere was so tangible you could feel it. Now the old habits started to kick in and supposed new era only had three representatives left on the pitch; Gabby, Young and Laursen. I don't want to describe the last ten minutes of the first half, they were continual heavy body blows from a playground bully who has just been let back onto his feet.
The Villa Park crowd will always believe in Aston Villa, though, and we didn't bow to the inevitable at the start of the second half. Our opponents were clearly enjoying themselves, possibly a little too much for the stage in the game, but we responded positively and pushed United back, almost scoring ourselves. Than Nigel Reo-Coker committed his second foul of the game and Rob Styles, half turned to allow an advantage, saw his opportunity to get some camera time. I have talked at length about this decision since but nothing has changed the view I had at the time. It was a foul, and had Styles not needlessly booked Reo-Coker in the first half maybe a first yellow. But a second yellow without a warning? Only an imcompetent, petty, inconsistent, unnecessary autocrat like Stiles would have sent him off.
Then in the next significant action we sent everyone but Bouma up for a corner which was cleared far too easily and were struck with a classic counter attack. Carson scyther Tevez down and a clear penalty was rightly awarded. But not content with these already large contributions Styles ignores a blatantly covering Isiah Osbourne and reaches for another red card. Interesting that the last time he refereed this fixture at the same venue Style sent off two players, both for Manchester United. Both were also examples of his staggeringly unreasonable and almost evangelical style of refereeing - Fletcher sent off for twice kicking the ball away (no warning given) and Ronaldo for playing on after the whistle had gone. Later in the game Nelson Pique took Gabby's legs away on the edge of their area but despite reaching for a card Styles decided this offence had not been worthy of his coward-tinged flourish, and its effect on the game would be far too minimal.
It may seem that I am deflecting blame for our defeat on the referee. I am not. He did, however, stop us from having any chance of coming back into it and his performance was so irritating yet predictable that I can't help but comment on it. Scott Carson aptly summed up his dismissal when he said "I think at 3-1 down with only ten men, I think it is a bit harsh but if it it was 0-0, then fair enough." If only Rob Styles had any such common sense, or even awareness of common sense.
And so a second palpable shift in atmosphere occurred. The empty seats of rugby viewers became apparent before the second loudest, but most intensely felt cheers of the day when Rooney's spot kick was saved. This was our outpour of aggrievance. The Holte End now became a collective statement of defiance. And home pass was cheered, and move exulted, any away movement booed and any contribution from Mr Styles ridiculed, probably by both sets of fans as he followed the usual and most annoying pattern of trying to even things up with weak free kicks. Young and Agbonlahor clearly felt let down by most of the rest of the team and the frustration was clear in their play as they fought against an overpowering tide.
An irrelevant fourth goal was added, and this further polarised the home support as more rugby viewers snuck out early. I'm glad they lost. Meanwhile up on the Holte we were having, relatively, a great time. I could stand freely without anyone being annoyed, as could a fair few others and the atmosphere was lit with pride as our nine Villamen bravely battled. On leaving the ground I was struck but how many people were still singing, loudly, walking through the car park. The belief was still there and the pride was still there. There is a collective force about our club that is united and total, and it will take more than a sound home thrashing to halt it.
*Editorial* Reading this back I have given nowhere near enough credit to Man Utd for their performance. The last twenty minutes of the first half was the best football I have ever seen and Tevez and Rooney, if they weren't shredding us, would have been a joy to watch. I feel we yielded too much ground but a lot of teams will struggle to cope with Manchester's front six this season. It was quite breath-taking at times.
Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham United
A lot has happened since I last typed my thoughts down on this blog. Firstly Leicester reminded us that whatever divison they are in and whatever form we're in, we won't beat them at Villa Park. Then on a slightly surreal Monday night Spurs completed the most predictable 3-goal comeback I have ever seen. But I wasn't at either of those games so I won't dwell on them too much, apart from to say that those two results made Saturday's visit of West Ham fairly crucial. Thankfully we continued our impressive league form at Villa Park, and Steve McClaren saw a whole host of eye-catching, English performances.
There was quite a patriotic feel to Saturday all-round as first a squadron of troops recently returned from Basra marched round the pitch. They were all massive Villa fans and ended by walking towards the Holte End, to a rapturous standing ovation, and filing into a section of it at the front. Got to give credit to the club for this gesture, and the West Ham fans who gave them a great reception. At the same time England were beating Australia and 'Swing Low...' started up later on in the Holte. I was surprised by this but it was also strangely fitting.
The first thirty-five or so minutes of this game were explosive and full of incident. Leading the charge for Villa were our young attacking trio; Luke Moore, Gabby and Ashley Young, who may have played himself into an England Cap. There were at least four occasions when we passed the ball along the six-yard box without scoring, and countless other times where we disected West Ham's defence. In the end, though, it was Craig Gardner who blasted in the winner from a free-kick. Gardner is still learning the game and sometimes shows his naivety but his attitude and natural technique are promising. He's coping with being played out of position as well and looks like a real prospect. He strikes me as an old-fashioned footballer; gritty, competitive, and unpretentious.
West Ham played their part though and threatened on a few occasions through counterattacks which seemed to fizzle out as they reached the final third. Again Martin Laursen was out-standing in defence and Zat Knight turned in another solid performance. The one effort of any note was from Camara's hand, though Etherington almost punished Mellberg for a weak back-pass. The visitors were limited, though, by their midfields pre-occupance with trying to get Nigel Reo-Coker into the referee's notebook than unlock our defence. I'm surprised Noble didn't start and Bowyer was inneffectual as well as petulant.
Then the game just seemed to dig its heels in. Luke Moore stopped linking the play and creating space, Gabby couldn't get a run at their defence and our midfield dropped off. West Ham were allowed a lot more of the ball and more territory but offered very little threat and looked limited. This pattern continued through the second half, despite the growing wariness of the home support, until Gareth Barry decided to impose himself on the midfield and Shaun Maloney was introduced. Barry was given Man of the Match but in all honesty it was one of the quietest home games he has had in two years. Laursen and Young were probably more deserving of the award.
I felt sorry for Maloney when he came on and spent twenty minutes chasing the ball around. When he finally got possession, though, he delighted the crowd and helped close out the game with a prolonged demonstration of how to annoy a trailing team by the corner flag. With Gabby as an equally determined side-kick wee Shauny had defenders' limbs flailing around after him as he won a number of throw-ins and corners. There was still time, however, for the hapless Carlton Cole (accurately nicknamed Can't Control) to glance another headed chance wide.
Overall we were worth the victory in this match and never really looked like conceding. In just under two weeks time now we play Manchester United at home, though and we won't be able to play like we have in the last two home matches and win. However I'm confident going into that game; United have got some injury problems and I'm looking forward to seeing Young take on Gary Neville down that flank. And its about time we bloody beat them.
There was quite a patriotic feel to Saturday all-round as first a squadron of troops recently returned from Basra marched round the pitch. They were all massive Villa fans and ended by walking towards the Holte End, to a rapturous standing ovation, and filing into a section of it at the front. Got to give credit to the club for this gesture, and the West Ham fans who gave them a great reception. At the same time England were beating Australia and 'Swing Low...' started up later on in the Holte. I was surprised by this but it was also strangely fitting.
The first thirty-five or so minutes of this game were explosive and full of incident. Leading the charge for Villa were our young attacking trio; Luke Moore, Gabby and Ashley Young, who may have played himself into an England Cap. There were at least four occasions when we passed the ball along the six-yard box without scoring, and countless other times where we disected West Ham's defence. In the end, though, it was Craig Gardner who blasted in the winner from a free-kick. Gardner is still learning the game and sometimes shows his naivety but his attitude and natural technique are promising. He's coping with being played out of position as well and looks like a real prospect. He strikes me as an old-fashioned footballer; gritty, competitive, and unpretentious.
West Ham played their part though and threatened on a few occasions through counterattacks which seemed to fizzle out as they reached the final third. Again Martin Laursen was out-standing in defence and Zat Knight turned in another solid performance. The one effort of any note was from Camara's hand, though Etherington almost punished Mellberg for a weak back-pass. The visitors were limited, though, by their midfields pre-occupance with trying to get Nigel Reo-Coker into the referee's notebook than unlock our defence. I'm surprised Noble didn't start and Bowyer was inneffectual as well as petulant.
Then the game just seemed to dig its heels in. Luke Moore stopped linking the play and creating space, Gabby couldn't get a run at their defence and our midfield dropped off. West Ham were allowed a lot more of the ball and more territory but offered very little threat and looked limited. This pattern continued through the second half, despite the growing wariness of the home support, until Gareth Barry decided to impose himself on the midfield and Shaun Maloney was introduced. Barry was given Man of the Match but in all honesty it was one of the quietest home games he has had in two years. Laursen and Young were probably more deserving of the award.
I felt sorry for Maloney when he came on and spent twenty minutes chasing the ball around. When he finally got possession, though, he delighted the crowd and helped close out the game with a prolonged demonstration of how to annoy a trailing team by the corner flag. With Gabby as an equally determined side-kick wee Shauny had defenders' limbs flailing around after him as he won a number of throw-ins and corners. There was still time, however, for the hapless Carlton Cole (accurately nicknamed Can't Control) to glance another headed chance wide.
Overall we were worth the victory in this match and never really looked like conceding. In just under two weeks time now we play Manchester United at home, though and we won't be able to play like we have in the last two home matches and win. However I'm confident going into that game; United have got some injury problems and I'm looking forward to seeing Young take on Gary Neville down that flank. And its about time we bloody beat them.
Aston Villa 2-0 Everton
There were so many strange things about the game yesterday that I don't quite know where to start. Firstly I missed the train from Leeds and arrived breathless in my seat at about 2.20, at which point my Dad told me we were 1-0 up. Now the only time I've ever missed the start of a Villa game before I also missed a goal for us; Sunderland in the late 90's sometime, Nelson was playing for us and it was his cross which was tucked home by a sorry Mackem.
This omen turned out to be a good one as Agbonlahor made the victory secure on the hour, but he was then involved in a continued and unseemly spat with Marlon Harewood, which childishly stemeed from Gabby not passing to his strike partner in the last minute. Firstly Gabby probably should have passed, and probably shouldn't have just told Harewood to 'F*** Off' for the next few minutes, but was there really any need for that situation to escalate? Marlon Harewood should have a good look at himself for his reaction; he might be desperate to prove himself but picking on a fellow player, especially Gabriel 'One of Us' Agbonlahor, was an unwise decision for a number of reasons.
Harewood's passion was, though, largely out of place in this slightly lacklustre game. There was a bit of a post-Chelsea hangover that hung around Villa Park, almost limiting the claret and blue faithful to half-hearted, 'I'd really rather be in bed' efforts you'll often see on Student League pitches on a Saturday morning. Well maybe not that apathetic, but you get the picture. Still, though, lingers the sense of camaraderie and expectation amongst our support. Its an expectation that soon Aston Villa are going to explode into a trail-blazing, glorious ascent, suddenly turn that corner to real, and maybe long-standing success. And the most worrying thing is that this feeling is almost total, there could be some really glum faces in the next few years.
As for a match report, we were just that bit better than Everton. In midfield we had the assurance and class of Barry and impact of Young and Agbonlahor whilst Everton had the waif-like and anonymously tidy Osman and Pienaar flanking their two industrious, but limited, centre midfielders. Carson was comfortable all day in goal, even getting an assist, whilst Wessels, who wasn't even on the programme, looked unsure of himself. Moyes possibly made a selection error in leaving Yakubu and McFadden on the bench, with Johnson and Anichebe failing to make inroad on our defence, which dealt with everything gently chucked at it with ease.
I feel sorry for Everton fans because it wasn't the kind of performance they are used to, and rightly expect. I would, though, back them to turn around their form with Arteta back in the starting line-up. Victories like this, from a Villa perspective, are pleasing because we were comfortable against a very decent team. Now we have three games which will tell us a lot more about the side, and hopefully we'll respond positively.
This omen turned out to be a good one as Agbonlahor made the victory secure on the hour, but he was then involved in a continued and unseemly spat with Marlon Harewood, which childishly stemeed from Gabby not passing to his strike partner in the last minute. Firstly Gabby probably should have passed, and probably shouldn't have just told Harewood to 'F*** Off' for the next few minutes, but was there really any need for that situation to escalate? Marlon Harewood should have a good look at himself for his reaction; he might be desperate to prove himself but picking on a fellow player, especially Gabriel 'One of Us' Agbonlahor, was an unwise decision for a number of reasons.
Harewood's passion was, though, largely out of place in this slightly lacklustre game. There was a bit of a post-Chelsea hangover that hung around Villa Park, almost limiting the claret and blue faithful to half-hearted, 'I'd really rather be in bed' efforts you'll often see on Student League pitches on a Saturday morning. Well maybe not that apathetic, but you get the picture. Still, though, lingers the sense of camaraderie and expectation amongst our support. Its an expectation that soon Aston Villa are going to explode into a trail-blazing, glorious ascent, suddenly turn that corner to real, and maybe long-standing success. And the most worrying thing is that this feeling is almost total, there could be some really glum faces in the next few years.
As for a match report, we were just that bit better than Everton. In midfield we had the assurance and class of Barry and impact of Young and Agbonlahor whilst Everton had the waif-like and anonymously tidy Osman and Pienaar flanking their two industrious, but limited, centre midfielders. Carson was comfortable all day in goal, even getting an assist, whilst Wessels, who wasn't even on the programme, looked unsure of himself. Moyes possibly made a selection error in leaving Yakubu and McFadden on the bench, with Johnson and Anichebe failing to make inroad on our defence, which dealt with everything gently chucked at it with ease.
I feel sorry for Everton fans because it wasn't the kind of performance they are used to, and rightly expect. I would, though, back them to turn around their form with Arteta back in the starting line-up. Victories like this, from a Villa perspective, are pleasing because we were comfortable against a very decent team. Now we have three games which will tell us a lot more about the side, and hopefully we'll respond positively.
International Break
Finally the rest of the world has woken up and realised how much quality our Captain has. Its great to see Barry play so well for England and its also great to here praise for him. Steve McClaren, I think, now has the chance to prove the press (and everyone else, me included) completely wrong.
Much bigger 'shout-out', though, goes to my preferred home nation - Scotland. I was at Hampden for the first match against France and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Last nights result has had the same effect as seeing Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation at the Roundhouse recently; I really do not know what to say or where to start.
Back to the Villa on Sunday with Manchester City away. I'm not making the trip for this one, but I'll probably manage a match report of some sort.
Much bigger 'shout-out', though, goes to my preferred home nation - Scotland. I was at Hampden for the first match against France and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Last nights result has had the same effect as seeing Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation at the Roundhouse recently; I really do not know what to say or where to start.
Back to the Villa on Sunday with Manchester City away. I'm not making the trip for this one, but I'll probably manage a match report of some sort.
Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea
Sometimes in football you just feel something special is happening. Sunday at Villa Park was one of those days. Nevermind Mourinho's ungracious bleating, we were worth this victory.
I have not seen Didier Drogba be so quiet and inneffective in a Premiership game, and only Liverpool on a couple of occasions have managed to make Chelsea look so average. This should be the springboard to a good run and hopefully a good season, and for the first time in years the whole of Villa Park is roaring with the same ambition and goal. For the whole of last season we threatened this kind of performance but it never quite came, now we've raised the bar and have to try and keep it there.
I'll always manage to moan about something, though, and this time its the 'Villa Park Experience' or whatever they call pre-match entertainment. Firstly playing seemingly random pop-music videos for 15 minutes before kick-off just destroys the atmosphere, which was superb on Sunday evening. They should just play the fanfare when the teams come out and let the supporters do the rest. Secondly the embarrassing player videos are still there, though probably for some comic effect. If you haven't been and seen them look on youtube, its bizarre to say the least.
That out the way here is my take on the actual game. I'd like to firstly thank Mark Clattenburg for irritating the Holte End so much in the first 15 minutes that Chelsea, and particularly John Terry, were met with derisive hatred for the entire match every time they got the ball. The referee had a really good second half as well in what was a difficult match to keep control of, and even in his less assured first half managed to even things up with some weak free-kicks to us near its end. Again, though, we saw big name players bully and dominate a weak-willed referee who refused to book them for it, and then booked Gabriel Agbonlahor for having the temerity to disagree with a decision. It was an easy booking, Terry's wasn't. The same happened on the first day of the season, referees need to treat all players the same no matter how many times they've played for England or how many thousands they earn.
Every Villa player did well. Bouma again shackled Wright-Phillips, their most dangerous player, for the majority of the match. Laursen won everything and was the best centre-half on the pitch. Young and Agbonlahor kept their full-backs occupied and were involved in a lot of good attacking play. Reo-Coker did the work of two men in the midfield, and his game improved when we were under pressure. Barry displayed his class in a breathless game. Carew and Moore made sure Terry and Alex knew they were in a game and had a lot of joy out of them. I've missed out Carson but, to be honest, he only had two fairly routine saves to make and did those well enough.
The Holte End smouldered with vitriol for the classless stars of West London and with support and passion for our own. Even when Petrov had an indifferent start he had more support than not, at least where I was standing. Sunday will be the game which, in years time, supporters and players will point at and say "thats was where it started". It might not happen straight away but the Villa are bouncing back, there was even time for Douglas Ellis to get involved with a cheeky grin and superior handshake for Roman Abramovich. It really does not get any better.
I have not seen Didier Drogba be so quiet and inneffective in a Premiership game, and only Liverpool on a couple of occasions have managed to make Chelsea look so average. This should be the springboard to a good run and hopefully a good season, and for the first time in years the whole of Villa Park is roaring with the same ambition and goal. For the whole of last season we threatened this kind of performance but it never quite came, now we've raised the bar and have to try and keep it there.
I'll always manage to moan about something, though, and this time its the 'Villa Park Experience' or whatever they call pre-match entertainment. Firstly playing seemingly random pop-music videos for 15 minutes before kick-off just destroys the atmosphere, which was superb on Sunday evening. They should just play the fanfare when the teams come out and let the supporters do the rest. Secondly the embarrassing player videos are still there, though probably for some comic effect. If you haven't been and seen them look on youtube, its bizarre to say the least.
That out the way here is my take on the actual game. I'd like to firstly thank Mark Clattenburg for irritating the Holte End so much in the first 15 minutes that Chelsea, and particularly John Terry, were met with derisive hatred for the entire match every time they got the ball. The referee had a really good second half as well in what was a difficult match to keep control of, and even in his less assured first half managed to even things up with some weak free-kicks to us near its end. Again, though, we saw big name players bully and dominate a weak-willed referee who refused to book them for it, and then booked Gabriel Agbonlahor for having the temerity to disagree with a decision. It was an easy booking, Terry's wasn't. The same happened on the first day of the season, referees need to treat all players the same no matter how many times they've played for England or how many thousands they earn.
Every Villa player did well. Bouma again shackled Wright-Phillips, their most dangerous player, for the majority of the match. Laursen won everything and was the best centre-half on the pitch. Young and Agbonlahor kept their full-backs occupied and were involved in a lot of good attacking play. Reo-Coker did the work of two men in the midfield, and his game improved when we were under pressure. Barry displayed his class in a breathless game. Carew and Moore made sure Terry and Alex knew they were in a game and had a lot of joy out of them. I've missed out Carson but, to be honest, he only had two fairly routine saves to make and did those well enough.
The Holte End smouldered with vitriol for the classless stars of West London and with support and passion for our own. Even when Petrov had an indifferent start he had more support than not, at least where I was standing. Sunday will be the game which, in years time, supporters and players will point at and say "thats was where it started". It might not happen straight away but the Villa are bouncing back, there was even time for Douglas Ellis to get involved with a cheeky grin and superior handshake for Roman Abramovich. It really does not get any better.
Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
As I mentioned before I was out of the country for this match, and only found out the result on Sunday evening. All I can say, then, having seen the highlights is that its good to see us win with a last minute goal, I can't remember the last time this happened in a league match. Also it seems like Ashley Young, again, is settled and showing his massive potential.
I'm writing this a few hours after we destroyed Wrexham in the Carling Cup. I've only seen the goals, all 5 of them, but two were absolute pearlers from Shaun Maloney, who'll hopefully get used to the Brummie accent soon, and Harewood and Reo-Coker scored their first goals for the club which is always good to see. Special mention for Harewood who's celebration would normally be surprising for a scrappy goal at the end of a route, but in his circumstance was understandable.
I'm writing this a few hours after we destroyed Wrexham in the Carling Cup. I've only seen the goals, all 5 of them, but two were absolute pearlers from Shaun Maloney, who'll hopefully get used to the Brummie accent soon, and Harewood and Reo-Coker scored their first goals for the club which is always good to see. Special mention for Harewood who's celebration would normally be surprising for a scrappy goal at the end of a route, but in his circumstance was understandable.
Quite annoyed to have missed the Fulham match, described on the BBC Sport site as a "pulsating encounter". Nevermind, next up its Chelsea and I'm fairly confident we'll get a result.
Newcastle United 0-0 Aston Villa
I have to start this blog by saying what a fantastic trip Newcastle away is. They love their football up there and all of the Geordies were great to me all weekend. Great city and the stadium is smack in the middle of it which makes the trip even better. Also I don't know where Freddie Shepherd developed his beer gut in the town because I didn't see one 'dog' the whole time I was there. I wrote last week about the effects of the 5.15 kick-off time but it is a credit to Newcastle as a city and its people that I saw no trouble the whole time I was there and haven't heard of any since.
On the face of it this game looks like a non-descript 0-0 draw; not many chances or saves at either end and long passages where both teams cancelled each other out. From my perch in the gods (I'll put a picture I took up at some point) I saw an interesting game between two developing teams which probably gave both sets of supporters some encouragement, though the Geordies would doubtless claim it was two points dropped for them. Firstly both defences have to take credit for keeping out some talented attacking players. Martin Laursen was immense for us and made Mark Viduka look like the lazy lorry driver he is sometimes prone to be. Equally though Newcastle kept us at bay on the break, bar a few occasions when the final ball and finish was inches away from being perfect. Both teams were fielding midfielders as full-backs - N'Zogbia and Gardner - yet neither were badly exposed in the entire match.
This game had a competitive edge that, I suppose, reflects the characters of both managers and its in this aspect that Sam Allardyce has really made his mark on the club. Last season we played Newcastle at Villa Park on the second weekend of the season and they were abject and spiritless. Yesterday evening they scrapped and fought hard with a Villa team that, especially since Reo-Coker arrived, do not lack mettle themselves. The black and white midfield may not have been the most ambitious, I don't think Smith, Geremi and Butt broke beyond the strikers all day, but they were combative. I suppose this may be an indication of whats to come for Newcastle.
Our star performers this week were Laursen and Reo-Coker, with Gardner getting another special mention. Barry was strangely subdued in a game which, I thought, he would be head and shoulders above most other players on the pitch. This may seem like wishful thinking but he was in this kind of fixture last season. We displayed a lot of naivety as a team at times but, as I mentioned before, this team is a work in progress.
Last week I kicked up a bit of a fuss about some controversial decisions that did not go our way. Here is Steve Gerrard's reaction to them:
"These things happen and some decisions you get, some you don't. I'm sure over the season decisions will even themselves out"
And his take on Chelsea's penalty this week?
"I felt the referee didn't play well today. There was a lot of pressure from the Chelsea players and I thought he eventually cracked"
Can't say I wasn't laughing, Stevie, all we need now is it to come full circle on September 2nd when Chelsea come to Villa Park.
On the face of it this game looks like a non-descript 0-0 draw; not many chances or saves at either end and long passages where both teams cancelled each other out. From my perch in the gods (I'll put a picture I took up at some point) I saw an interesting game between two developing teams which probably gave both sets of supporters some encouragement, though the Geordies would doubtless claim it was two points dropped for them. Firstly both defences have to take credit for keeping out some talented attacking players. Martin Laursen was immense for us and made Mark Viduka look like the lazy lorry driver he is sometimes prone to be. Equally though Newcastle kept us at bay on the break, bar a few occasions when the final ball and finish was inches away from being perfect. Both teams were fielding midfielders as full-backs - N'Zogbia and Gardner - yet neither were badly exposed in the entire match.
This game had a competitive edge that, I suppose, reflects the characters of both managers and its in this aspect that Sam Allardyce has really made his mark on the club. Last season we played Newcastle at Villa Park on the second weekend of the season and they were abject and spiritless. Yesterday evening they scrapped and fought hard with a Villa team that, especially since Reo-Coker arrived, do not lack mettle themselves. The black and white midfield may not have been the most ambitious, I don't think Smith, Geremi and Butt broke beyond the strikers all day, but they were combative. I suppose this may be an indication of whats to come for Newcastle.
Our star performers this week were Laursen and Reo-Coker, with Gardner getting another special mention. Barry was strangely subdued in a game which, I thought, he would be head and shoulders above most other players on the pitch. This may seem like wishful thinking but he was in this kind of fixture last season. We displayed a lot of naivety as a team at times but, as I mentioned before, this team is a work in progress.
Last week I kicked up a bit of a fuss about some controversial decisions that did not go our way. Here is Steve Gerrard's reaction to them:
"These things happen and some decisions you get, some you don't. I'm sure over the season decisions will even themselves out"
And his take on Chelsea's penalty this week?
"I felt the referee didn't play well today. There was a lot of pressure from the Chelsea players and I thought he eventually cracked"
Can't say I wasn't laughing, Stevie, all we need now is it to come full circle on September 2nd when Chelsea come to Villa Park.
My Blog
I have decided to record my experiences as an Aston Villa FC fan for a whole season. This is my first year as a season ticket holder and, I think, will be a crux year in the development of our club (that prediction may haunt me in May). There are enough websites that write match reports already so I will try to give interesting accounts of my experiences as a supporter, almost as much for myself as the benefit of anyone who reads this. Hopefully we'll finally have a cup run, turn some of those draws into wins, pack Villa Park out and make those lions roar. Alternatively we'll do what we have for the last seven years. But either way it doesn't matter, as most football supporters will attest winning is far from crucial in the life of a fan.
STR
STR
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
When the fixtures for this season were announced I, like most other Villa fans, was excited by the prospect of finally beating one of the top sides. Whilst this didn't quite come to fruition I saw enough on Saturday evening to be fairly optimistic for the season ahead. However, the events during the game yesterday do not stick in my mind as much as several other incidents throughout the day.
The problem with 5.15 kick offs on a Saturday evening, other than long journeys back north for away fans, is that they give everyone two hours more drinking time. Never has this been more apparent than at Villa Park on Saturday. In all the games I have been to only the Blues derby last year had a nastier feel to it. Granted the atmosphere on Saturday is rarely bettered these days but the two are not necessarily inter-dependent. Looking at various internet forums, from both clubs, it becomes clear that most incidents were extremely unusual for this fixture. However I have read accounts of ; groups of families and fans being confronted and riled by both sets of supporters, unwarranted batterings before and after the match and sets of 'up for it' fans from both clubs prowling Aston. The new positioning of away fans seems to be more difficult to police, I hope lessons are learned by the time Man Utd or Blues come to town. This is a lone quiet voice in a virtual backalley but football would be much better off if eight out of ten games were played on a Saturday at 3 o'clock, one on a Sunday afternoon and one on a Monday evening.
Another moment that sticks in my mind was the sight of two suited men, probably employed by our club, walking round the pitch with giant yellow and black balls advertising Setanta Sports. They walked past the Trinity and threw them into The Holte End. They were thrown back out a few times, whilst from my vantage point in the Upper I hoped someone put a lighter to them, but were there for quite a while.
Setanta, we are not an advertisement for your cynical destruction of the values of English sport. I hope this never happens again, but fear it is just the first of many commercial opportunities we will be seduced by.
And the match itself? Well its quite hard to say just how well, or badly, we did. Liverpool recently lost the Champions League final and have obviously bought some quality this summer. At times the movement of Kuyt and Torres was too much and to be perfectly honest we did not look likely to breach their defence for large parts of the game, despite competing with Liverpool and having sustained possession and pressure in the second half. At the same time, though, they scored a lucky own goal and a free kick that would not have been given if Steve Gerrard was not refereeing the game with Jamie Carragher as his ever enthusiastic 4th official. I would like to say now that I do not generally moan about referees, however almost all of them are intimidated by the big name players - you can tell by the way they act on the pitch - and incidents like the one on Saturday should not surprise anyone anymore.
As for us, well Barry displayed his usual class and looked like the one Villa player who would have been comfortable in their team. There was nowhere I would rather have been in the world than stood on the Holte when he knocked that penalty in, I thought my head was going to explode. Ashley Young showed glimpses of his massive talent and further convinced me he's going to be a massive player for us. And Nigel Reo-Coker, whilst not having the perfect start to his career in genuine claret and blue, displayed enough passion, determination and presence to suggest he is the midfielder we've lacked for years. Anyone at the game would have noticed him celebrating the penalty award by standing in the box, facing the Holte End and roaring with his fists clenched. Great character.
Jermaine Pennant also deserves a special mention for proving that you can take the player out of the scum, but you can't take the scum out of the player.
I'd like this blog to be a positive one, though, so I'll finish by talking about Craig Gardner. A 20 year old central midfielder starting at right-back, he had a storming game showing great touches and technique, commitment, spirit and bravery. Its great to see young Villa fans living out all of our dreams, I think Craig is a real gem and would like to see him in the midfield where he belongs. The more he gets used to the Premiership the more composure and assurance he displays, hopefully he'll become the player Lee Hendrie should have been.
So its on to Newcastle next week, which I'm making the trip up for, so heres to three points for the Villa and a great weekend.
STR
The problem with 5.15 kick offs on a Saturday evening, other than long journeys back north for away fans, is that they give everyone two hours more drinking time. Never has this been more apparent than at Villa Park on Saturday. In all the games I have been to only the Blues derby last year had a nastier feel to it. Granted the atmosphere on Saturday is rarely bettered these days but the two are not necessarily inter-dependent. Looking at various internet forums, from both clubs, it becomes clear that most incidents were extremely unusual for this fixture. However I have read accounts of ; groups of families and fans being confronted and riled by both sets of supporters, unwarranted batterings before and after the match and sets of 'up for it' fans from both clubs prowling Aston. The new positioning of away fans seems to be more difficult to police, I hope lessons are learned by the time Man Utd or Blues come to town. This is a lone quiet voice in a virtual backalley but football would be much better off if eight out of ten games were played on a Saturday at 3 o'clock, one on a Sunday afternoon and one on a Monday evening.
Another moment that sticks in my mind was the sight of two suited men, probably employed by our club, walking round the pitch with giant yellow and black balls advertising Setanta Sports. They walked past the Trinity and threw them into The Holte End. They were thrown back out a few times, whilst from my vantage point in the Upper I hoped someone put a lighter to them, but were there for quite a while.
Setanta, we are not an advertisement for your cynical destruction of the values of English sport. I hope this never happens again, but fear it is just the first of many commercial opportunities we will be seduced by.
And the match itself? Well its quite hard to say just how well, or badly, we did. Liverpool recently lost the Champions League final and have obviously bought some quality this summer. At times the movement of Kuyt and Torres was too much and to be perfectly honest we did not look likely to breach their defence for large parts of the game, despite competing with Liverpool and having sustained possession and pressure in the second half. At the same time, though, they scored a lucky own goal and a free kick that would not have been given if Steve Gerrard was not refereeing the game with Jamie Carragher as his ever enthusiastic 4th official. I would like to say now that I do not generally moan about referees, however almost all of them are intimidated by the big name players - you can tell by the way they act on the pitch - and incidents like the one on Saturday should not surprise anyone anymore.
As for us, well Barry displayed his usual class and looked like the one Villa player who would have been comfortable in their team. There was nowhere I would rather have been in the world than stood on the Holte when he knocked that penalty in, I thought my head was going to explode. Ashley Young showed glimpses of his massive talent and further convinced me he's going to be a massive player for us. And Nigel Reo-Coker, whilst not having the perfect start to his career in genuine claret and blue, displayed enough passion, determination and presence to suggest he is the midfielder we've lacked for years. Anyone at the game would have noticed him celebrating the penalty award by standing in the box, facing the Holte End and roaring with his fists clenched. Great character.
Jermaine Pennant also deserves a special mention for proving that you can take the player out of the scum, but you can't take the scum out of the player.
I'd like this blog to be a positive one, though, so I'll finish by talking about Craig Gardner. A 20 year old central midfielder starting at right-back, he had a storming game showing great touches and technique, commitment, spirit and bravery. Its great to see young Villa fans living out all of our dreams, I think Craig is a real gem and would like to see him in the midfield where he belongs. The more he gets used to the Premiership the more composure and assurance he displays, hopefully he'll become the player Lee Hendrie should have been.
So its on to Newcastle next week, which I'm making the trip up for, so heres to three points for the Villa and a great weekend.
STR
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