Written by Damian Tuesday, 16 March 2010 22:41
We deserved the three points tonight and we got them. We stay in seventh place but we are only one point behind Manchester City and this was exactly the result we had to get.
I´m not going to go into too much detail because that is for tomorrow and after I have watched the game again but barring the opening 20 minutes or so and the last five - it was all us.
An own goal and a James Milner shot from thirty yards did it for us tonight and while we have to be quite fortunate for the first goal, we did create chances.
In the first half we had nine shots - five on target and we were unfortunate to go in all level, but a Wigan fan could also argue they were unfortunate to be losing too - either way, the stats say we had more of it in the first and the second. Basically, we deserved the three points.
Post-mortem and more analysis tomorrow, for now, another beer for me and I think I´m going to watch the match again right now - it was actually quite entertaining.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (78)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
A-Styler
said:
 |
... Jesus, Sky Sports says this game is still going... should come here for the most up to date stuff! |
ryan hobbs
said:
 |
... well done tough game needed 3 points and got em, could not be happier, actually thort both teams were good |
Mike Carter
said:
 |
... Any more finishes like that and we'll all be going gray (or grayer) very soon. I was going to have a big angry rant about the pointlessness of sitting back for the last 10 minutes, but we won the match so I don't want to be negative. Only got to see the second half and about 10 minutes of the first - but certainly in the second we were very much the more comfortable team. Having Gabby back makes such a difference. |
Sean
said:
 |
... end to end stuff! Milner was immense! To be honest Wigan never really looked like scoring for me and think we should have had one or two more goals....3 points though! |
McParland
said:
 |
... Thank F**k we did beat them because i thought after mons subs we were going to conceed due to inviting them to attack.But the 3 points are just what we need and sets us up nicely for wolves. WELL DONE LADS |
ryan hobbs
said:
|
... nanwasafan some people doubted him i always liked milner, tho it has to be said he is a far better player now, bordering top class now has that superiority about his game now and manages to create himself time and space, and is it me but has he not gained a yard of pace!!! |
Graymo
said:
 |
... Not happy about the tactics used. We did our best to lose our lead. Why stop attacking so early. I hate the fact we just sit on our lead and get everyone back behind the ball. Another 5 minutes and they would have probably got a goal. We should just carrying on playing our attacking game and keep them on the back foot. No wonder I don't have any finger nails. |
James
said:
 |
... Who voted for Big Brad? Was your stream worse than mine? Talking of streams, either that vstreams. net link was in fast forward or that was some seriously furious football. Even Heskey looked like he was running fast. If it was the stream, then I'm scrapping Sky and watching all live sport on there. It was like some made speed rush. |
Benny
said:
 |
... Milner was unbelievable! We played some good stuff in the first half, should have scored more goals. Bit more composure needed by ash and gabby at times. Petrov needs a rest....Luke Young needs a game at right back to rest 1 of the 3 centre backs, Carlos was hesitant in possession. We need to clone milner and play him in the middle with himself, then buy a centre forward to partner gabby.   |
mitchvillain
said:
 |
... Good result! watching milner turn on our own box and run 80 yards to relieve the pressure and get the ball in the corner just showed how physically fit and quality this player is!! just hope my early season tip of inter to win champs league @40-1 doent come in as i didnt back it! |
Josh
said:
 |
... Milner was fantasic yet again. This game shows how much we've progressed since last season when we would have bottled it an conceded a late goal. Too bad sidwell didnt bury that last shot as i think it could give him the confidence boost to start playing well. Pretty sure him or delph are gonna have to feature more prominently towards the end of the season with petrovs legs going. Race for fourth still on!!!! |
Chris Harper
said:
 |
... Superb game. Thats what the prem is all about. Good old tough tackling and end to end stuff. Brilliant. Everytime I see Milner play, I just can't help but think about you saying he isn't worth 12 million. He's worth twice that now. Sorry Damian  Just shows we can play good stuff, teams like Stoke just bring you down to their level. Bring on Wolves!!! |
Simon Mansfield
said:
 |
... Yeah it WAS very entertaining! 3 points that we desperately needed as it's game on for that 4th spot, just three points between 4th-7th. 6 (very possible) home points from Wolves and Sunderland next week and we're away! :-) MotM - Jimmy Milner by a country mile! |
ryan hobbs
said:
|
... damo whats your opinion on milner, i remember you not being tottally convinced in the early days of his second spell, whats your take now mate, i think he is arguably our player of the season up to now |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Damian That second half was the best football I've seen us play for a fair few weeks. We broke with pretty scintillating speed if you asked me, Wigan struggled to deal with it. That was about as good as you would have seen Spurs or Man City play. That's good enough for me. |
Werner Olsen
said:
 |
... Is it me or do Millner look more and more like Gerrard. Our best player today ! |
Damian
said:
 |
... ryan hobbs i thought £12mn was an awful lot of money to pay for milner as winger and i dont think i was wrong was i? i think he is a very good middle man - i wouldn´t call him player of the season but he has been very good - but i and many others wwere also calling for milner to be put into the middle a long time befor it actually happened - and i dont think we were wrong with that either ... a good central midfielder - not great, but still young and can still get better and my man of hte match for tonight |
Sweeno
said:
 |
... Milner class. If Fabcap is picking players on form he has to be in the team not just the squad. Gerrards current lack of form is against him and if he takes his petulant behaviour with him to the World Cup, we be playing a game or two with 10 men. |
ryan hobbs
said:
|
... i will be honest i always thort downing would come in after injury and play central, but i think milner could seriously go on and be world class in 3 or 4 years, i think your opinion is a fair one, with regard to how much he cost etc...but i do think he is proving to be our best player this year, tho i also think gabby and the back four have been great |
Smithy11avfc
said:
 |
... Great result tonite, exactly what was needed to stay in the 4th place race. I think we should of put a few more away but maybe thats just me but overall i thought we dealt with the pressure they were giving us brilliantly and we were good on most occasions going forward. I think Ash could of played a bit better because ive seen him perform 10 times better than tonight but my starman is 110% Jimmy milner. He must of covered every single blade of grass on that pitch tonight and scored a good goal. Carew had a few chances and i think with a little more work on his shooting he will fire us into the top 4. Well done villa and keep fighting, this race aint over yet . UTV !!!!! |
Goldie 7
said:
 |
... Good result just what we needed. Back 4 were class tonight Milner was 100% motm. Negative part is we fluffed too many chance when better chances were on we really should of won 1-4 at the very least. Overall a massive improvement from the lame stoke performance we all have got to be happy with another win away from home. Gabby spat his dummy out at the end and threw his gloves down. I'm not sure if it was the sub or the injury but by the way he sprinted down the tunnel i think he'll be fit for sat fingers crossed anyway. Heskey hold up play at the end was a bag a shite i really don't the the fellow and come the summer i really want to see him gone! |
Goldie 7
said:
|
...... |
Damian
said:
|
... Villa_Chris i think you have to go back and check what i wrote - it was £12mn as a winger. you can read about it here: http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...ball-fans/ and i really dont think i have been proven wrong - milner is not really a very good winger - he is a good central midfielder and can/probably will get better - but as a winger who is quite slow and cant cross that well .. he isn´t worth £12mn |
Mike Carter
said:
|
...i think he is a very good middle man - i wouldn´t call him player of the season but he has been very good Good question worthy of debate Damian. Up until about mid-December Gabby was a lock for my Player of the Season. He's not been quite as effective since. Dunne has been probably the most consistent Villa player and an excellent defender by Premiership standards. He certainly deserves consideration. Milner has been superb since moving to the middle and since the end of December has probably been our most effective and prolific player. Would certainly win a lot of peoples vote I imagine. For me it's definitely between the above 3 guys. Special mentions to Cuellar, Warnock and Petrov. Who's your vote for Damian? |
Damian
said:
|
... ryan hobbs no dount he has been one of the surprise packages but only because he has been played in a position different to what most thought. for me, player of the season would have to be dunne so far but i´ve also been really impressed with cuellar and gabby - he has looked better and if we can just work on his finishing - he could be fantastic |
peter haworth
said:
 |
... Milner was immense most improved player in the premiership this season. Just hate it when we sit back and invite teams on at the end. |
John R
said:
 |
... Great result tnite this has put us right back in the mixer. Tired legs what tired legs, what about Milner's run at the end.This result should enable us to kick on. Big article in today's Mail where MON say there will be a need for squad rotation due to fixture congestion,what a great place to be at this stage of the season,still heavily involved on two fronts. Keep the faith UTV |
ryan hobbs
said:
|
... whole heartedly agree mate about gabby, brilliant this year far better than last year, i say brilliant in the sense of the way his all round game and awareness have improved, every season he is contributing more goals, with ten games to go would love him to grab another 4 - 5 league goals still think webcam could improve but i dont like to whinge, he will be quality against wolves as theyre full back a shocking, downing gave the ball away alot tonight |
frem
said:
 |
... damian milner ant slow and hes got a great cross on him. remember when he came on against holland and changed the game because of his crossing. they were fantastic. |
Keith
said:
 |
... Damian When we signed Milner we paid £12m for the player not for a right winger. You actually thought he was a left winger! You were wrong admit it. We lose we get a negative blog, we win we get a negative blog. Why not mention who are the only unbeaten premier league team in 2010? Would it hurt? Anyway I'm sure that you and the disciples of doom are hoping for a defeat against Wolves so you can continue the MON bashing. |
Mathew Dryhurst
said:
 |
... Don't know if it is just me, but I wish we would pay 12 million for Rodallega. I think he is going to be a bit special, and has a bit of everything. |
robb david
said:
 |
... 3 points is all important tonight, just watched the sky highlights, watched a crappy stream earlier. Deserved the win, but we tried our best to throw it away at the end. Sidwell did his best to give away a last miniute penalty, and emile hesky, well what can you say. he is f**king absoluly awful. HOw can he look like tired when he has been on for 10 minuits. Why isnt he chasing every ball which is what he was thrown on to do, he had ten minuites to work his ass off, and he basically offered what carew does, but without any of the strength, touch or general ability, just the lazyness. |
Keith
said:
|
... madarab It isn't just you, I have been very sceptical about Rodallega but he looked really good tonight. ronrabbit Your views on Heskey are spot on. |
david
said:
 |
... Well, that was fun! Can someone tell Wigan that the floodlights are supposed to point at the pitch rather than back into the stand though. We were so blinded by them that none of the Villa fans knew we'd scored the first goal until we saw them all hugging.......then we started cheering. Yep..Jamie Milner looked pretty tired again didn't he ....what a star. Thought Cuellar was good again tonight though and played a couple of pinpoint passes too which was nice to see. Isn't it great to have the March monkey off our backs too! |
robb david
said:
|
... im not a massive rodallega fan to be honest. Im not sure he is the player we need, although i would take him over carew and hesky. Thought carew was decent tonight actually, thought he put himself about a bit, and his touch can be sublime. Back to Rodallega, he would be a good buy is hesky goes and we brought in some others, summer buys: rodallega 12 mil jovetic 15 mil ireland 10 mil with a few of the peripherals out a net spend of about 30 million would be realistic, and we could have a tilt at chumps league with that squad. So in summary, Rodallaga is a good buy as long as we get other quality forward thinking players. |
Marcus Smith
said:
 |
... I don't see how anyone can say Damian was wrong about Milner, if anything, MON and JM have proved him right. Dunne has to be our player of the season so far. I don't know where we'd be without him. Inspirational 99% of the time. |
Doc
said:
 |
... Although I can hardly be bothered to comment given the overwhelming sense of doom and cynicism these days - I do have one question for you all: We are one point behind Manchester City, with 8 or 9 games to play. Is Manchester City's investment of 100 million + in players worth it - given that that huge investment can only establish, late in the season, a one point lead over a club which buys more sensibly, builds a strong dressing room and invests in British and Irish Youth? Is one point worth £80 million? Just to reinforce the point, because certain bloggers want us to spend, spend, spend - we are right up there, just a point behind the "big boys". Something must be wrong in the "spendaholic" logic, surely: Aqulilani must be a better signing than Downing; Bridge must be a better signing than Warnock; Lescott must be a better signing than Dunne or Collins. Why? Because they're more expensive. Full stop. For f***s sake stop blogging about the money we spend, and start looking at the results we achieve. And if you really want to support a team which spends, spends and then spends some more - and if you really think that is the key to success - then you'll be really welcome at Eastlands. But I'll tell you something. You'll never beat the Villa. |
Keith
said:
|
... LukeYoung I don't see how anyone can say Damian was wrong about Milner, if anything, MON and JM have proved him right. Of course they have. |
rocky marciano
said:
 |
... luke young,your wasting your time mate  didn`t think the post was negative myself.anyway well played lads good result |
robb david
said:
|
... You dont get much player for 12 million quid nowadays, especially not attacking wise. Some of the best performers in the bracket havent done as well as milner, even when he was on the wing. nasri was 13 million, swp similar price bracket, david bentley, downing. I would take milner 100% over all these players, wing or in the centre. I think he was a great buy, to buy him now gotta be talking 25million, after the world cup? when he scores a 35 yard screamer to put us through into the final, and real madrid come knocking, 60million. |
robb david
said:
|
... Just did the mom poll, and could help but notice their were no votes for gabby. Not suggesting he should be mom but thought he did well today, we look a better side with him up front, we need that pace in the middle. |
robb david
said:
|
... Doc --> Is one point worth £80 million If its the difference between 4th and 5th then the revenue from champions league, sponsorship deals, and extra club revenue its probably getting on for 80 million yes. fair point though, although i think if 80million had been given to a competent manager the story would be somewhat different. |
Michael
said:
 |
... Milner can be our lampard or gerrard. just hope MON leaves him in the centre, i worry that he is gonna use him in many different positions as he keeps saying he is versatile - this happened with barry and he never really fulfilled his potential as he was played left back, centre back, left wing, centre midfield - he only ever came good and consistent when we put him in central midfield on a permanent basis - we need to leave milner in one position so he can develop even better and that position should be the center of midfield. |
Damian
said:
|
... Keefvilla When we signed milner and for a long time before the Newcastle website had milner down as a left sided midfielder. I didn't get it wrong and there does have to be a reference point. As for negativity if we lose and negativity when we win, you are the one trying to score points tonight and if anything I would suggest that is the most negative thing on the page. |
Doc
said:
|
... Whatever the doom-mongers say, and whether we finish 4th or 7th (and I can't remember a season where below seventh wasn't even an option), we'll have been to Wembley at least twice, beaten Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, and qualified for Europe. Surely even the most hardened cynic can't tell me that this is a sh*t season? Or is it just spend-spend-spend more-more-more. If that's what you want, sack O'Neill and bring O'Leary back. He's really, really good at spending a shed-load of money on expensive players and really going for it. In fact, let's get a bandwagon rolling: BRING BACK O'LEARY!!! SPEND, SPEND, SPEND!!! |
S
said:
 |
... Excellent game and win. We're back in the race for 4th now. Milner obviously had a great game and I think Young had a good game too. Just researching the remaining fixtures: Us:MARCH- Wolves, Sunderland, Chelsea APRIL- Bolton, Everton,Portsmouth, Birmingham, Man City, Blackburn Tottenham: MARCH- Stoke, Portsmount, APRIL-Sunderland,Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U MAY- Bolton, Burnley. Liverpool: Man U, Sunderland, Birmingham,Fulham, West Ham, Burnley, Chelsea, Hull Man City: Fulham, Everton, Wigan, Burnley, Birminham, Man U, Arsenal I think if we keep playing well we can overtake Tottenham in April and finish fourth. CL- wanted Chelsea to win so theyd focus on CL and Premier League and put less effort into FA Cup. Oh well cant have everything |
James
said:
|
... Doc Bowles and Keef We must stand strong. The hour is coming when the victory will belong to us all. Every Villa fan will rejoice in the streets. We will be patted on the backs and we will devour the newspaper and media adulation. We will look down with kindness on the distraught and floundering scouse fans. But, the unique joy will be when we lie down at night and close our eyes, it will be then that a broad smile will spread across our faces and we will mutter, 'told you so.' In MON we trust. |
Andi
said:
 |
... You no what i cast my mind back and i always said MILNER could play in the middle, some called me crazy but I knew he could. Milner stole the show last night and showed Capello just why he has to be on that plane to SA. My only worry is it will take a fat contract after the world cup to keep him, although i expect him to be offered the arm band as part of the deal. Now we move on to Wolves and barring any stupid individual errors, INVISIDWELL yes you you T"%t, we should beat them as well CAREW but a shift in last night as well which was pleasing to see although he will be wanting a new contract soon lets just hope he keeps it up. |
Damian
said:
|
... Doc Bowles nobody will say it was a shit season. an expected one if we finish 6th or 7th, but not shit. as for bringing up man city and their spending and them sitting one point above us - well, it doesn't happen overnight and mancini has only been in the job since december - give him some time. the new owner got rid of hughes when he didn't see the football develop - he cant be blamed for that, he gave him a chance with the money and it just didn't work, but none of us are really surprised at that and i'm not and i dont think anyone is saying spend for the sake of spending but the spending is happening at the club i just don't think the football is getting much better and i'm one of the few i think that actually think the football getting betters is quite an important factor between finishing 7th, 6th, 5th and the occassional 4th and finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd i hope it happens with o'neill and i think his signings this summer might actually make it happen and by process of elimination that will be because of o'neill - but lerner has polughed in a lot of money the past two summers and it is understandable why expectations are greater and also why some start questioning why we are not really progressing at maybe the expected pace - just look at how man city have changed how they play since december |
Leroy
said:
 |
... I think its fairly lame that this blog gets more posters in when the team doesnt win a match. You could argue that every team could play better football but i think we are having quite a dandy little season here. A couple of things that i have realized about the team....i think Warnock is close to our best player..... I also think that on occasion, Webcam can play in the middle....my reasoning, he works just as hard if not harder than anyone on the pitch (bar Milner ofcourse) and if he is able to stay on his feet and be strong with the ball, he has shown he can shred a defence with his trickery. In this case, i would call for Petrov to be rested and play Albrighton on the wing as his replacement. That to me would be an exciting side to watch. UTV YWC |
Andi
said:
|
...why some start questioning why we are not really progressing at maybe the expected pace are we talking terms of play or terms of progress ??? Semi FA cup, Final League cup, 3 points behind 4th with game in hand what does progress looklike ? |
Damian
said:
|
... Chiefy in terms of football. do we have to do this once a week? look at the table at the end of the season - this time last season we were better off and those that started saying look at the league table for progress well and truly got egg on thier face. progress as in football - every week chiefy. |
Damian
said:
|
... Leroy every football site in the world gets more comments when their team loses - its in people nature to say something when angry, not when happy but the site doesn't get any busier or less busy |
Andi
said:
|
...do we have to do this once a week? all right keep your caps lock on was only asking, I wont bore you again with my thoughts on the football although according to the villa match console we have 65% possession in the first half |
Mike Carter
said:
|
...The hour is coming when the victory will belong to us all. Every Villa fan will rejoice in the streets. If we win the FA Cup, maybe, that's about it. This isn't the NFL; we can't sit back at the end of the season and celebrate achieving the ultimate goal, not giving a real care as to what happens next season. Even if we do achieve what we want in the league, it all starts again in August. Even if we break the top 4 , we face the exact same struggle we've had to put up with this season, only it will be tougher with City spending millions more and Liverpool potentially having a competent manager. Not trying to mong any doom at all, I'm just telling it like it is. Fans seems to have this sort sighted view that we're in touching distance of glory and once we get there, we're made. Reality is if we do get there life only gets harder. That's just modern day football. |
Nigel
said:
 |
... vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc... |
Damian
said:
|
... Chiefy we probably did - but over 90 minutes what was it? and i apologise for snapping - you just happened to be the 300th person this week to bring up the league table and a lost league cup final as progress when losing a final is horrible and the league table only really matters at the end of the season - not when there is 25% of it left |
john doyle
said:
 |
... hi lads thought we would win last night looked at the stats we win 70% of our games when the lump dont start and 20% when he dose so the odds where in my favor lampard and gerard and will get better still good 3 points well done to the lads except the lump good all round team perfomance but would still like to see young at full back i know its harsh but collins must be blamed again for there goal only bad thing was the lump comming on for 10 mins he gave the ball away as usual and did not run them down enough how can you look knackerd only playing for 10 mins we should not sit back when in front we could have lost it should have brought on fonz and delph could have hit them on break and got 3 or 4 i just wish we would wipe the floor with teams when we have them on the ropes insted os sitting back and giving them the ball and holding on as for jimmy should start with barry in the middel for england as he is better than gerard and lampard without a doubt am pleased exept for the lump comming on and nearly spoiling the party |
michael060670
said:
 |
... ,ve only just got the result damo. only got my internet serv back up and running. good to see 3 pts on the board. didn't watch skynews for the last few days either, wanted to wait. good result and by all accounts we could've had more goals. a win is a win at this point in the season, don't care how it comes. i don't really care if we win ugly. the result puts the pressure back on spurs, city and pool and that's exactly what we need to be doing. i just hope and pray we can push them all the way to the end of the season and then who knows what might happen. personally, i see spurs as the team with the best chance and see them as the real danger team. saw city play on saturday and they don't look like a team that are together on the pitch. they looked ordinary and disjointed and that can only be good for us. L'pool are all over the place aswell so that leaves spurs. Rednapp has them playing well and they are getting the results at the right time of the season. our destiny lies in our own hands still. i've been guilty of slagging mon and the team off this season but the fact remains that we are better than last season and to be in with a shout of silverware(FAcup) and within a hairsbreath of 4th proves it. ok, so the football hasn't been great at times but right now i don't care how we play as long as we get the right results. look at what mourinho did at stamford bridge last night in beating Chelsea. it's win at all costs football and mon is the same in mentality. if o'neill could get even a third of the success that mourinho had at chelsea then villa fans would be over the moon and far away, ha!ha! come on villa!!! |
rocky5
said:
|
... [vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc... |
rocky5
said:
|
...[/qu |
rocky5
said:
|
...vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc... |
rocky5
said:
|
...vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc... |
rocky5
said:
|
...vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc...just trying to master the quote lol |
rocky5
said:
|
...vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc...MON is an arrogant |
rocky5
said:
|
...vivavilla, I agree with your point. However, I also believe that as we progress, we will also attract better players etc...only [joking] |
Write comment
Latest Aston Villa Wallpaper
Follow Us
More Posts
- New kit coming and Laursen on Gabby
- Milner back, Webcam staying and we are drawing a line
- The sun is shining, time to cash in on James Milner
- James Milner wants to be Citeh’s Habib Beye
- Peterborough video and Aiden McGeady rumour quashed
- Keane in talks, Petrov talking McGeady, warning for Milner from Downing and fantasy football time
- Sell to buy might not be so bad, new rumours, some news and a new kit
- New kit, Gabby talks the talk and Ashton and Bentley
- Pre-season, speculation, Martin O'Neill and Steve Froggatt
- Someone is in trouble: Aston Villa show interest in South Korea international Cho Yong-hyung
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. 
Login
Latest AVFC Blog Tweets
AVFC Blog
avfcblog
- follow:
- updates:2942
- followers:496
Loading...
Last 4 tweets in past 30 days from avfcblog:
People talking about '@avfcblog':
The Villa Blog on FourFourTwo
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
Featured on Aston Villa Central
