Written by Damian Monday, 05 October 2009 12:59
Afternoon all. Still nothing from the club on the mounting speculation, apparently there is something published somewhere in the Arab World, that investors are been sought, but I'm sure it is just a case of saying nothing until something is done and besides, we have more important things happening tonight so we should maybe leave what might or might not happen for another time.
Tonight sees Manchester City visit Villa Park and talk is they are here for three points. The thing is, Mark Hughes was always good at talking and not really following up but times, they are changing for the second team from Manchester.
Like it or not, they have a team capable of mounting a challenge this season and if they are within touching distance come January, I suspect further players will be added to try and assist them in reaching the summit.
They are not here trying to break into the top four, they are very much here to win the league and if the money they have spent is any indication of the funds available to them then, then they are serious.
Tonight will be another test, much like Anfield was and one that we are capable of overcoming. We have seen that Martin O'Neill isn't frightened of playing 451 at home and he did against Fulham and I expect he will revert to that formation tonight, as Manchester City are more of a threat and we have to, break up the play in midfield and provide extra support for our defensive line.
Still, playing 451 against a team like Manchester City, with the quality players they have throughout, is no guarantee of success. It does guarantee that we will be hard to beat though and that has to be the first step. The next step has to be to try and recreate the mentality that we had at Anfield, it is after all a game about putting three points on the board and at the end of the day a scrappy, boring 1-0 win, while maybe not what we want to see, is something that will make us all happy.
Early Team News
It looks like, although we are just speculating, that Steve Sidwell will be back tonight and judging b the comments from James Collins, he knows that he will be playing and I fully expect Richard Dunne to feature too. Luke Young isn't going to feature but should be back after the international break, which should mean we will see Cueller at right back even though O'Neill purchased a natural right back in the summer. However, expect Beye to feature on the bench.
Midfield is where the battle rests for tonight and in my own little world I am convinced O'Neill is going to put three in the middle and two out wide, so expect to see Delph, Petrov and Sidwell with Milner and Young tracking back and doing lots of running.
In Utopia, a place I strive to one day visit and rest for a while, I'd have preferred to see Nigel Reo-Coker play but a part of me thinks he has played his last game for the club or actually, a part of me thinks he will be off in January or the summer and that he'll not play again unless Martin O'Neill is forced to play him again.
Again, this is just my thinking and I could be wrong, it could all be in the past now, but him sitting on the bench against Blackburn didn't look positive.
Places at Stake
We all know points are at stake and for Manchester City, if they win tonight, they will move to third place with a game in hand, which if they won could see them sitting top of the table.
If we win tonight, we would go level on points with Manchester City but unless we win by four goals we would only be seventh, but we also have that game in hand, which again, if we won, could see us third. Not that bad really is it?
If we lose however, it is mathematically possible that we will drop a place on goal difference. It isn't likely as we'd need to lose by a margin never before seen in the Premier League but it would mean Burnley move above us and we drop to ninth. Don't go betting on that happening though.
Players to Watch
All the talk has surrounded the return of Emmanuel Adebayor but it shouldn't be forgotten that our very own Gabby Agbonlahor has scored just as many in the league than him and one more in total. He has also been recalled into the England squad so he should be bubbling with confidence.
Key man for though is going to be Petrov. He has to have one of those games we all know he is capable of. It would be nice too if Young and Milner put in performances we haven't really seen enough of yet this season, which is also a good sign, because we know they are coming.
Conclusion
Links will be added as and when we get them, but you know I like this one and if you have the money, it is well worth paying for. Team news will also be coming up as and when we get it and we will be Twittering updates later.
I'm off to get a bottle of red ready and Martin, if you are reading this, don't try anything new tonight. Tonight isn't about trying something new, it's about doing what we did at Anfield. We need to fight as a team, break up their attack and counter. I know it isn't what I want or what many really want but it is about points and our players seem to do well when playing like that. Let them run riot and let them do what they are best at.
Actual team News
O´Neill goes 442: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Milner, Petrov, Sidwell, Young, Agbonlahor and Carew.
On the bench: Shorey, Gardner, Guazan, Reo-Coker, Beye, Delph and Heskey.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (230)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
villa37
said:
 |
... 2nite should be about getting behind the team and making villa park ROCK.Gareth was a great player for the villa,but that is in the past.Bring on the champions leauge.  |
Andy Wood
said:
 |
... Should be a very interesting game tonight, where nobody would be surprised if it were a home win, score draw or away win...... can't see it being 0-0! Please note your article- 'Tonight sees Manchester City visit Villa Park and talk is they are here for three points. The thing is, Mark Hughes was always good at talking and not really following up but times, they are changing for the second team from Manchester.' Very well written piece, but please, oh please, oh please, Manchester City, 'the second team from Manchester' are from Manchester, Manchester United are not in Manchester, they are from Stretford. There is only one football team in Manchester. As a City fan, I am aware of big celebrations that are planned in Stretford to celebrate 100 years of Old Trafford. Bigger celebrations are to be held in Manchester the same year, as Manchester will be celebrating 100 years of Manchester being a United free City. |
Mike F
said:
 |
... For me the 451 with Gabby up front is the way to start. It seems Carew is very effective coming off the bench in the 60-65th minute. Look for Dunne to have a great game. UTV! |
peter haworth
said:
 |
... Am hoping for a 5 man midfield which includes NRC,praying for 3 points and Gabby to keep on scoring. BRING IT ON. |
scott harwood
said:
 |
... every rag and website ive looked on is giving a 442 as a probable lineup with rc left out.i hope mon is just doing this to throw them off the scent because i really fear for us if we do!! |
Woody Anderson
said:
 |
... Does anyone know a good cheap paid live stream for tonight or even better a good free one? I can't be arsed going to the pub tonight. Cheers Woody |
scott harwood
said:
|
... im going for a 3-2 win with a young having his best game in a villa shirt.hes pissed off hes been dropped by england and is gonna have a point to prove!! |
henrydouble
said:
 |
... with all th hullabaloo about booing barry th focus has been taken off th need for ONE OF OUR PLAYERS TO GET BARRY RATTLED. doesn't make a difference what the crowd do if the players dont perform. Just for the record i wont boo or applaud him. 3-0 to Villa |
woody Anderson
said:
|
... Ok coolio I'm going to try it out tonight. Does it have ALL the Villa games on there or only the games that are on Sky or ESPN etc |
Deano-avfc
said:
 |
... try myp2p in google, normally get the games there. Cant wait for tonight, really hope VP gets up for it and becomes the 12th man. an early goal would be ideal to keep the momentum going and the Holte/North stand singing. 2.0 gabby, young UTV |
Dave J
said:
 |
... If we play 4 across the middle we will get battered. 4-5-1 blatantly represents our best chance of winning this match but I think it will be very tough regardless. I wouldn't be surprsied to see them shade it by the odd goal in 5 |
Eoin Greene
said:
 |
... We'll play 4-5-1 and Reo-Coker will start! Its probably going to be a lot like the Anfield match whereby we have 32% posession, sit in our own box and try and stop them from playing whilst hitting them on the counter. The trouble is that if they score the first goal - we are screwed! Its actually disappointing to think that a team that considers themselves to be a top 4 challenger will sit back at home and ask the other side to break us down - but we are what we are I supose. Still if we get a result we'll all be happy and MoN will be a tactical genius!! |
scott harwood
said:
|
... eoin ive watched man.city a couple of times this season and i seriously think at 1-0 up they are still gonna go on the attack.thats why i see a rake of goals in this game! |
Eoin Greene
said:
|
... Scott - i dont doubt it for a second. The thing is if Villa go a goal behind having been set up to stop the opposition and counter attack - then the whole mentality changes. We haven't got a clue how to attack which going a goal behind forces you to do. By commiting men forward we'll be wide open for the counter ourselves....see Wigan! On the positive side - if we score first then it falls right into our counter attacking style - see Anfield! |
stevo
said:
 |
... i think delph will keep his place and carew drop to the bench and if sidders not fit then reo-coker back in |
scott harwood
said:
|
... ok eoin i see where ur coming from.if we get an early goal expect fireworks!but if we r down come 60-65 minutes ur right we r gonna throw carew on probably at rcs expense and be wide open.cmon the villa.im stoked for this game!! |
Chris Harper
said:
 |
...This is a real test for city, having a good start to the season. Villa away is an extremely difficult task, MON has his teams well organised with a pace upfront and the solid foundations of continued top 6 finishes in the league! The likes of Villa, Spurs and Everton are the sides City need to beat this season to at least take their spot in the table! It should be a tough game, probably the hardest test we have faced this season, with both Arsenal and United both being extremely weak at the back. Its a shame that most Villa fans don't see the qualities of Villa the way in which our opposition do. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
 |
... This game will not be a draw It will be interesting to see how much stuffing we have after the recent shenanigans |
Car Frost
said:
 |
... Please, please play the Coker .. he was born for this stuff. Without him we could be like lambs to the slaughter. Delph will be great but he's not there yet, it's nice for a change not to be worried about the back 4, now it's the middle 3 minus Petrov whos as good as they come Imo. Dunne - Petrov - Carew would make an ideal spine for this type of game. Strength, composure and experience.. I hope Big John gets a good run out too. |
tubbydunne
said:
 |
... Man City have two much quality for us and on paper should beat us two or three nil. Thankfully matches aren't won on paper and with three in the middle we can hassle and harry and not let them settle and then hopefully use Gabby's pace to nick a goal and then hang on. That's the best we can hope for and I am not complaining that's the reality, we have very little quality in the middle of the park, none actually except for Petrov and on the wings Milner has a great work ethic but it would be nice to see some decent football from him and I don't think A.Young knows the season has kicked off yet. Up front Gabby has the pace but is not a 20 goal a season striker and never will be. I think it will be 0-2 City tonight. Hope I'm wrong |
Edward Riordan
said:
 |
... I've got a really good feeling about tonights game. I think we will be up for it and the fans will be right behind us! 2-0. Gabby and milner penalty |
rob hathaway
said:
 |
... I thought man city were very lucky to beat arse and manure batterred them only to win by one goal. We need to be strong and concentrative but can come through with all 3 points no doubt. I would like to see coker do a man to man on barry because one thing we know about barry is he needs time. If he has no time then he has no pace to get time and then he is useless. I would also like to see us play coker as a holding mid and let petrov be a bit more of a playmaker and delph supporting gabby. when in defence 451. when we attack milner and young need to have chalk on their boots and stay as wide as possible. Really stretch them. Young needs a big game. I think young must be pretty shocked seeing milner get in the england team ahead of him but i think its a good measure of how well milner has progressed in the last 12 months to young who has stayed still. Come on boys lets do it. play with passion, chase every ball down, tackle hard and play with pride and I will be happy regardless of the score. |
rob hathaway
said:
|
... bring back john gregory we dont know what nrc did but if he undermined the manager, disprespected his team mates, slept with john robertsons wife, told lerner to go home etc etc would you still boo mon for not starting him or would you agree he deserves to rot? Point is, we dont know and I for one trust mons decision. if he dont play its because he dose not deserve to wear our claret and blue |
Daniel Wilson
said:
 |
... Last time we had city at Villa park we stuffed them 4-2 with an Agbonlahor hat-trick, times are changing as you say and they are a much better team, but I hope we can go out and do the same thing to them tonight. Nowt against city, I hope if we don't pull off top 4 that they can and get things shaken up at the top - until tonight enjoy... http://www.pitchslap.co.uk/ast...hts-17808/ |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
 |
... For me we have no hope if NRC doesn't play. Who else will disrupt them in the centre of the park. Barry and Ireland will just pull the strings in there without breaking a sweat if mid is Sidwell, Petrov and Delph. He is the only one capable to get in and attack the oppossition further up the pitch when they have the ball and MON needs to put the club before himself here. He has made his point. We all know he is the only boss in this club and nothing else he does to NRC at this stage will make any other difference to this club bar limit us even further in the position we are alread the weakest. For City Martin Petrov and Bellamy are the 2 guys that scare me the most especially if we lose the CM battle. |
greg1982
said:
 |
... What gives us hope tonight is that Hughes is at least as useless at tactics as MON. He similarly has two wide wingers and holes in the middle with just two central midfield players. It gives us hope if we play 3 there. Come on MON don’t make a third mistake otherwise I’m personally going to shoot you!! |
sazavfc
said:
 |
... This is it lads, this could potentially be the biggest game of the season! If your sitting in the Holte End tonight, do what I'm gonna do. On the way to the Park, listen to 'Remember the Name' Trust me COME ON LADS!!!!!!!! |
Steve
said:
 |
... Reo Coker has to play tonight, MoN has shown him who is boss, and if he still refuses to play him, then MoN is putting a personal issue ahead of the needs of the team. We have to win tonight, a huge game |
James
said:
 |
... This is a good one. It is a mood changer. Let's say we win well with Coker in the side - MON will get stick. Let's say we win well without Coker - Man City will be slated. We lose with Coker - We've been crap for ages. We lose without Coke - MON needs the sack. We draw - We should be winning our home games if we are serious. Lucky win - Wrong formation, never finish Top 4. Only one thing is certain, whatever happens, all Villa fans on here will not be happy. My guess is, we may sneak it. And if we do, I'll be as happy as Barry's Bank Manager. |
david mc gorrian
said:
 |
... Nerves are starting to kick in.I really hope we get a result tonight, UTV |
fastbackace
said:
 |
... this is one of the only days i love living in the US. watching villa play on ESPN 2 hd!!!!  )))) UP THE VILLA!!!!! make the blues blue! |
Steve
said:
|
... Neither of those boys have the legs to get around to win the ball back, frankly ridiculous |
Mike Carter
said:
 |
... That's it. I've had it. That's as much as I'm willing to take. After Villa fail to win this game, this will officially be the start of the end. |
cockneyvillan
said:
 |
... he could be tuking milner inside and starting gabby wide right to start with.. we will see ... hope so or will get over run again. |
scott harwood
said:
|
... ive been calling it all day 442 what a joke!if we lose this mons gonna get some right stick.does he do it on purpose?ill reserve judgement till after the game but im not looking forwrd 2 it!! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Incidentally, anyone who has had issues with Villa Streams in the past, their new Player works very well and seems to have overcome the problems they've been having the past couple of weeks. I recommend it. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... just tried asking the guys running the official chat room about reo and mon, didn't even post my comment... news from villa park = blood from a stone |
Chris Parry
said:
 |
... More neck straining long ball i'm afraid guys and girls! This aint gonna be fun, but i hope im wrong. Think there gonna absolutely fly at us from the start! |
Damian
said:
 |
... It looks like 442 but he could line up like he ended the Fulham game .. but I think that would be very harsh on Gabby ... still, it is possible. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I love Gabby as much as the next Villa fan, but my god, he sounds like such a mong doesn't he? That combination of a horrible, thick Brummy accent, and his eyes being permanently half-closed. Typical footballer  |
Damian
said:
|
... login on frontpage with user id and password then you will get the links to play in VLC or download the application and input your user name and password in that |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... paniking When you log in at the main page, it should say (underneath the banner) Your account is ACTIVE! VillaStreams Player V2.0.1 Released! Download HERE Download that, and you'll be on your way. |
Richard Bunn
said:
 |
... Can anyone explain to me why we are 4-4-2 ? City are going with 3 up front and I'm shitting it. All the talk of Barry will be overshadowed by a powerhouse performance from Richard Dunne against HIS old team!!! COME ON VILLA!!!! |
Damian
said:
|
... vivavilla cheers for that ... also you could email villastreams@googlemail.com for help directly |
robb david
said:
 |
... Just to say before i entre the theatre of shattered dreams, 442? wtf? i was feeling optomistic, now im afraid to say i cant see anything but a pretty poor loss. oh well at least we can have fun booing barry! Theres only one greedy bastard, one greedy bastard |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... leawaylittleman Perhaps, O'Neill is pre-empting 3 strikers from City and thinks we can still out number them in midfield by playing 4. I'm trying to stay as positive as I can, but it's very difficult. |
fastbackace
said:
|
... well u have to realize that man c play 3 up front, makes no need for our 5 man midfield... i hope... |
Damian
said:
|
... fastbackace watch what the two on either side do tonight - i´ve seen bellamy tracking back this season - three up front for them is as good as 5 in midfield .. i might be wrong and they might sit up, but i very much doubt it but we could still be surprised but i´ll put myhead on the block now and say i´m worried we wont get 3 points now, which is what we shoudl be going for |
scott harwood
said:
|
... worried damo,im shitting myself.ive been watching citeh this season and sometimes they look awesome.if we score first im gonna stick with 3-2 win but if they score first it could be a hammering.theres me being optomistic again!!lol utv |
Damian
said:
|
... the thing is, i think they will score i dont know what to predict now. my heart says we can still win but myhead says we will be beaten, basically overrun by them and put under a lot of pressure by tevez and bellamy and possibly even adebayor .. will be an interesting match now that is for sure |
Damian
said:
|
... vivavilla stop it. if you go about stating the obvious any more you might confuse me i agree by the way and while i know the match hasn´t even started it baffles me that o´neill is doing this, just baffles me and if we lose tonight some will be quite angry |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I take it back, I guess a lot of fans turned up after I mentioned it... it looks pretty jam packed. Nice and noisy as they walked out too, if we can keep that up for 90 minutes we might just pull this off. |
david mc gorrian
said:
|
... Damo that happened me a few weeks ago with the villa stream so i took no chances tonite and got espn |
Steve
said:
|
... Interesting how not a single villa player even looked at barry in the tunnel yet all city players went up to Dunney |
Damian
said:
|
... limerick villain it isn´t my service but i would say just dont sign up 10 minutes before ... do it a few hours before and get everythign working .. however, what you have done is the best thing .. with espn |
Damian
said:
|
... well ... we´ve started brightly ... how long will this last? oh christ, i´m expecting it to not last ... how sad is that |
Damian
said:
|
... craig bellamy there, in his own half helping out hte midfield ... that is the difference |
Damian
said:
|
... Milner is 30 yards out ... tries to beat a man only for him to find 3 around him. One of those was Craig Bellamy ... we need an extra man in the middle. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Giving the ball away far too easily in their 3rd. But Richard Dunne just stone walled Tevez. Nice. |
gareth horton
said:
 |
... 442oh shit we will get out passed out moved out classed and out maned as we lack quality in the middle as we all know and we need the extra man just to stand a chance and make life difficult for the opposition i hate to be so negative even before the kick off but im sick of seeing us lose playin 442 mons arrogance proceeds him every time we all think he has got to learn from his mistakes he sticks to them i really fear for us tonight the attacking class city have just oozes class and we have but a fraction of what city offer yes money plays a part but just wish mon could sign some quality he has had the dollar hasnt he i just hope that we can expose them at the back score early and we may get a result i know i may get slated for this post but its just my opinion of the times down the villa at the moment |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Good shot from Petrov. The ball is getting some unbelievable curl on it tonight. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Incidentally - 13 minutes in, has anyone noticed Sidwell yet? Apart from just then when he gave the ball away and they nearly scored? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Top drawer tackle from Warnock. Quickly becoming my favourite O'Neill signing I think. |
scott harwood
said:
|
... we r playing well.we have had a couple of good moves but the last pass has been a toucn sloppy so far so good  |
Stuart Kinane
said:
 |
... My God. I haven't celebrated a goal like that in years. Dunne, i love you. Is it me or does this feel like a Champions League final? And outjumping Gareth Barry to score the goal against his own former club, this is beautiful stuff! Gotta keep this up though, come on the lads! |
Steve Coyne
said:
 |
... are man city the team with the most facial scars ? if so when they signin seal ? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... That's a couple of occassions now we've given them far too much space 15 yards or so outside of our area. Dangerous. |
Jonathan
said:
 |
... i'm resonably haappy with this seassons signing ( they could have been better along with worse!) Hope downing don't let MON down  |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Closing them down beautifully at the moment, they've just had to track all the way back. |
Damian
said:
|
... I love it .. Carew is dropping back, it is like 451 with Carew in the middle and up front. Perfect ... but will he last 90 minutes doing this? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Sidwell just touched the ball, I think he may need to lie down for 10 minutes now. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I think I might nickname Collins "cucumber". He always looks very cool and calm when he has the ball in tight situations. |
Damian
said:
|
... steve-avfc you are not wrong .. they have little time and it is working. watching john carew drop back, okay not all the time, but watching him do it is nice to see poor gaz baz isn´t having a great game either |
Stuart Kinane
said:
|
... Worried about Sidwell though. Ashley seems a lot hungrier tonight but just isnt getting the ball. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Half time. I don't think it's unfair to say that Man City have been fairly dominant in possession without creating any legitimate opportunities. There have certainly been no clear cut chances at either end with the exception of the goal. Not bad stuff, but I'm concerned about whether we can keep this up for 45 more minutes. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Dunne has been top notch tonight. This game has a lot in it yet. City have been in some good positions. I can see them score but i can also see us get another one. Defense has been excellent. Grea corner by Warnock. |
Tim Hillman
said:
 |
... Pretty nervous watching! Good half although will hard to keep them out for another 45 minutes. The only thing I saw Sidwell do was give away a poor free kick!! |
Tookey
said:
 |
... Nice to see see a villa defence playing so well. I hope now we can hold out. I'd be happy to see us just sit back and defend. |
Nix2
said:
 |
... Don't know if anybody is listening in on the radio except me, but the commentators always make me laugh about Ashley Young's injuries. Sneakily he goes to quite some attempt to make his markers think he's going to be off the pace, bit slower, and then laughs as he tares down the pitch. Bluffing a footballer isn't the most difficult game, but has radio commentary gone down hill? |
fastbackace
said:
|
... villa playing well but we have no possession... we need reo on someone... sidweel or carew... maybe 10 more min... we need to learn to hold on to a lead. UTV |
Eoin Greene
said:
|
... Good performance so far, center backs have been excellent and Gabby is once again our main attacking outlet. Man City have had more posession which is to be expected considering the way we play but they have not really threatened so far. My only quibble would be why do we sit so deep? The back four have been about 2m outside our box for the whole game - again this is a common trait of ours..... Damo - Bellamy is playing as an out an out winger - he is not a forward tracking back.... |
Damian
said:
|
... i think i agree about that sidwell comment ... what was he doing to give away that free kick near the corner? it was like he put his arm up on purpose |
Tim Hillman
said:
|
... I hate to say it but unless we get Reo or someone on that gets stuck in I think we might lose. Especially with Petrov on a yellow! Sorry a bit pesimistic!! |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... The main fear is the space Tevez is getting outside the box. He will hit a good one eventually if we continue to let him have so much time to tee up his shots. |
gareth horton
said:
|
... good half if things stay the same looks like im gonna be eating a whole humble pie |
Jonathan
said:
|
... If city win i get £125 if city loose villa get 3 points! I'm HAppy as long as it isnt a draw! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Gabby is often too quick for the ball. That's about the third time I've seen him go on a run and lose the ball because he can't keep it at his feet. |
Jonathan
said:
|
... i betted for us aswell ladbrokes had 25/1 for villa half time/city full city half time/villa full £5 on each and the second is no longer available! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Thought Milner was going to score a thunderbolt there. Turned out to be quite a poorly placed shot. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... We have to be VERY careful now. City are not going to hold back with Ireland on, they'll be all over us if we let them. |
david mc gorrian
said:
|
... Would you believe i never bet on football till last week stuck a 100 euro on villa at 7/4. sickened..lol |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I disagree with Joe Royle there, I think Barry has played well. Definitely one of City's better players so far. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Warnock makes his first mistake of the match, switching off and letting SWP through. Superb defending from the Cucumber though |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Have to say this is another vintage performance from Petrov so far as well. Bossing the middle of the pitch. One can only wonder how we'd be performing with Reo-Coker on instead of Sidwell. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Milner put in a couple of fantastic corners just now. That 3rd one was back to his normal standards though. |
Tim Hodgetts
said:
 |
... tense at 1-0. we'll be defending on the 18 yd line for the rest of the half without another goal. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... This is a period of very heavy pressure we're having to withstand here. Something needs to break it or else we're going to struggle to keep this lead. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Well I wish I could say we didn't deserve that, but Man City have been relentless in possession. |
Damian
said:
|
... it was always going to happen .. john carew is doing a fantastic job but he is no midfielder ... we can still do this though |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Wonderful. What do you do when you need a goal? You bring on the least likely player to get one. |
Steve
said:
|
... cheers MoN - been absolutely dominated for 60 mins and is still too fking stupid to change it. City are the away team yet look like the home team, this is fking pathetic, get NRC ON |
adam
said:
 |
... get f**kin sidders off hes useless anybody can see weve needed coker on for the last 15 minutes |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... It does make you worry. The only chance we've had of winning this match so far was holding onto that 1 goal lead. Now that's gone, what are we going to do to change things? How is bringing Heskey on going to stop City dominating possession? I hate to say it, but this has all the hallmarks of a defeat. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... In fairness, City aren't pushing forward as much now they've scored. The game is there on a plate for whoever wants to win it enough. |
Colloquick
said:
 |
... Aren't we just seeing what we saw at Blackburn? When the match dictates in the second half we should look to dominate possession to keep a slender lead in tact, O'Neill refuses to shift to 4-5-1 and brings Heskey on. It's just... baffling. He is no doubt one of the best man-managers in the world, but is this tactical ineptitude? |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... This has been an extremely high tempo game and lots of players are showing it now. Petrov and Young look exhausted, though Young is clearly playing with a knock. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Dare I say it, but City look like they'll be pleased with a point. They've taken their foot off the gas since scoring and presented us with an opportunity. |
Colloquick
said:
|
... I wish people would calm down about Reo Coker. He isn't the Messiah, he's just an integral part of the 4-5-1 system. If you bring him on after the fact the game won't suddenly swing in your favour. It's quite possible we would have withstood or avoided the pressure applied by City had there been an extra man in midfield. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Props to Bellamy, don't quite understand how he's managed to play with so much energy for 90+ minutes. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Defense were excellent. Thats what i was telling you all about the honey monster. He was a man mountain back there. Attack wise we were just the usual preditcable get it out left and cross it in. Never really had much hope of us winning that game after they equilised. |
gareth horton
said:
|
... dont worry i really do think the mule will leave in january we can only hope eh |
david mc gorrian
said:
|
... I would have stuck delph in there just see.donkey needs to go mon wake up |
adam
said:
|
... defence were great again bar the warnock f**k up for the goal i aint impressed with money bags citeh with hughes as manager they wont win f**k all. motm dunney for me followed closely by collins  |
david mc gorrian
said:
|
... ak hope the honeymonster ther for us on saturday against italy.which he will be,disappointed but not distrought, |
Alistair
said:
 |
... Thought we played well. The defence was excellent. Richard Dunne was superb - didn't look fat or drunk! Reo-Coker was disappointing in the short time he was on. Didn't look interested at all. Maybe MON was right to drop him. Jimmy ran his socks off as usual. Would have been good to win but not too unhappy with a draw. |
henrydouble
said:
|
... I agree, although he was played at RW, Coker didnt look interested. It looked as though both teams settled for a draw before extra time. Sidwell was no worse than anyone else, went forward more than usual. Overall im happy-ish, we just need more emphasis on passing though. 442 worked well cus they played 4 in the middle as well, but against Chelsea, i feel we'll need to play 5 in the middle. Also Heskey didn't win any flick-ons |
david mc gorrian
said:
|
... I for 1 think kevin keegan is a w??k listen to that fool he could have totally destroyed newcastle. |
Write comment
Latest Aston Villa Wallpaper
The VILLA BLOG FEATURED ON FHM.COM
FHM have chosen their favourite football blogs and chosen thevillablog.co.uk as the number one blog for Aston Villa! Click the badge to read the article or head to FHM.com for the kama sutra and the UK's finest girls. Login
Follow Us
More Posts
- If Houllier is appointed, he will be supported but it has to be done the Aston Villa way
- Gérard Houllier set to be named new Aston Villa manager, apparently
- Collins okay and an Aston Villa player revolt
- Something for the ladies and Gérard Houllier
- Curbs, not catch 22 and time gentlemen please
- Transfer window shut, Lerner has to invest or sell and four months of fun
- Kevin MacDonald: The new Aston Villa manager
- Post-mortem: Three points is three points
- Press release from club on search for new manager. This is mostly spin and blarney
- Aston Villa 1 Everton 0: Fourth place looks good from here
Lucozade Sport on Facebook
Lucozade Sport loves Football as much as we do. They’ve been fuelling Aston Villa players for over 15 years and using this expertise to support amateur Footballers across the country. Visit their Facebook page for expert advice, video clips and Football chat. Latest AVFC Blog Tweets
Basic authentication is not supported
Featured on Aston Villa Central
Leaving Comments
Only registered users can post comments without the need for it to be approved. Registration is free and takes two minutes so if you want your comments to show up straight away click here to register.
Get your online avatar
This blog is Gravatar friendly. That basically means, if you use Gravatar and leave a comment, as long as it's the same email address you registered at both sites, we'll show your avatar. It's a cool little site, we like it. Register here! The Internet is Changing
