Written by Damian Saturday, 31 October 2009 17:54
Not the best game and not the best result but a point away from home is better than none and well, we are still seventh and our game in hand on Wednesday could see us go 4th, two points clear of Spurs.
Carlos Cueller was sent off for a second yellow and I´m not entirely sure why. I think it was probably to even things up as the referee had to send off the Everton goal scorer for a two footed, stud showing tackle on Petrov which finally resulted in Petrov having to leave the pitch.
Basically, a little more entertaining in the second half and with 10 minutes to go it got quite desperate and with desperation it got a little exciting, but both teams lacked quality today and the result, was a fair one.
We may also lack some of that quality for Wednesday night as Milner was taken off at half time to be replaced by Carew and it might very well be an injury as he stayed down towards the end of the first half after getting kicked on his, I think, left foot.
End of the day, we are seventh in the table, we got a point at Everton, much like Wolves and Stoke did. Post-mortem tomorrow.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (57)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Mike Carter
said:
 |
... More dropped points, but a draw a fair result. And to be fair, Everton will be more disappointed about the draw than we are. |
Againsthesun
said:
 |
... Think the match had great tensions, particurlarly in the 2nd half which was keeping me on the edge of the seat throughout. Also think we looked better and better, all in all a good team performance, but the referee somewhat ruined the flow of things with very many freekicks in random directions. 1 point was fair enough however, Everton is not an easy side to beat on away grass and I can settle for 1 point in such a matchup. We are going to pick up 3 on wednesday however. Against |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
... At least we didn't lose. I reckon Dave Pundit would have been proud of that game  I don't understand people saying we deserved to lose, I thought the sides were pretty equal. |
Spencer
said:
 |
... A good point or 2 dropped? Away from home so probably more of the first. Hope Milner's knock isn't too bad. |
Martin Clabon
said:
 |
... Badger, spot on but we like a good moan on this site I don't think we should fear the odd injury and susspension too much as we need to start getting some use out of L Young, Delph, coker etc and MON won't rotate unless forced to it seems Hard fixture, disappointing performance but decent point and if Everton were the better team it was marginal and we were away |
cockneyvillan
said:
 |
... I think the game lacked quality as expected, we just dont creat enough chances & dont keep the ball . WHO SAID WE DONT MISS BARRY, your havin a laugh!! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Also Damian I think you need to add Carew to the vote. Only fair as he did rescue the point. |
Cookiemonster
said:
 |
... Its never a pretty game at Goodison and the lads worked hard for a point - so all in all I am happy with that. Everton are worse than us for just lumping it forward - I watched it on the stream and they are piss poor in that respect. We do need someone creative in the middle of the park though. But we are resiliant and our points ratio is on par for a top 6 finish which I think would be a good achievement again! And a good draw in the CCQF - not a bad day at the office. UTV |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Damian, I presume from your last comment you think we are of the standard of Wolves and Stoke? Perhaps you'd be happier writing a blog for the team you followed as kid, Blackburn? |
FatKevs
said:
 |
... The Trouble is Everton have better players to come in, this was our 1st Choice Team. If people are hoping downing will change our season, past experiance shows that an injured player coming back will not be in his stride until he has had a pre season with a series of niggling injuries being more likely on his comback trail |
VillaPete
said:
 |
... i for one am looking forward to seeing Luke Young back. Luke and Warnock are as good as it gets. Reckon will also see Reo start midweek. Now that Brad has 200 consecutive games maybe Little Brad has a chance? MON makes minor changes though (even based on subs) so major rotation will never happen. Would love to see Delph and Reo start in place of Sids and Milner/Petrov. why is the Fonz no longer on the bench? |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Fatkevs, who are these better players? Arteta and Jagielka at a push. We have Downing and Delph. I think there is little between the 2 squads |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
 |
...The Trouble is Everton have better players to come in, this was our 1st Choice Team. But thats all weve got, and what we will have until the summer. The quality we need, wont be going anywhere during January, so we need to find it within. Firstly its glaringly obvious to all accept our illustious leader, is we dont have the Midfielders to play 4-4-2 now that Barry has gone. We need to revert to the 5 across the middle. For me, that would mean Downing with Petrov and NRC as the sitting Midfielder. Petrov has to much ability to be playing that deep. Nigel may gave him and Downing the option to play closer to the Striker(s). We need a natural option at right-back, so Luke HAS to be back in there, and lastly (with the risk of upsetting a few), Guzan needs to replace Friedel. Then its over to Oneil and Randy during the summer, because we really do need to start looking at proper Quality. |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
 |
... On the missing Barry thing, i don't think it's him we are missing. It is his replacement that is missing!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
|
... I really would'nt mind if MON spent 10 million on any attacking midfielder, even if like Collins i'd never heard of him!!!!!!!!! We need some flair in the middle!!!!!! Is Ashley gonna be the man when DJ is fit??? Not Sure???????? Van Der Vaart for me!! |
VDV
said:
 |
... the av villan i agree. we need a replacement for barry. hleb in january that would be nice or in the summer dont forget VDV or sneijder. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Guzan needs to replace Friedel. Agreed. It's not that I think Friedel is a poor goalkeeper. It's just that I think Little Brad would have saved that today, I really do. I remember saying on here last season that I thought Friedel was losing the edge. |
neil57
said:
 |
... Did not see game. Read all comments. 1. Good riddance Heskey. 2. Forced change of team. 3. Guzan must play. 4. Delph must play. 5. Need creative midfielder. 6. Sidwell plays as lucky mascot  7. Nice to see results today. 8. Pool fans queueing for asylum |
AVsteve
said:
 |
... need a creative midfielder soon. team is good, just miss a great attacking midfielder and another top striker to work along with gabby!!! |
Ammar
said:
 |
... quote]Fatkevs, who are these better players? Arteta and Jagielka at a push. We have Downing and Delph. I think there is little between the 2 squads Sid i acutally think we have a better squand. But again we put out almost the same team that performed so poorly against Wolves. We have 3 full backs on the subs bench!!!...We have a centre back playing as full back...blessing in disguise Cueller got sent of off today at at least we can acutally play a recognised fullback. Carew coming on was just pure fluke as Milner got injured so no it was not a master stroke by Mr O'neil. Were was the Fonz today he was not on the subs bench. Guzan plays superb midweek but is dropped to the subs bench today. Heskey get selected regardless of what he says to reporters yet NRC seems to be low down the pecking order in relation to Sidwell. We assume its because of dissent. All these decisions can be accepted if were playing decent football and no i don't think we are entitled to win all our matches but we can at least put in a decent performance. Today Everton were low on confidence and there for the taking. We never looked like winning and how many saves did there goal keeper have to make. At the end of the day the buck stops with the mon as he has selected the team and made some bizzare decisions. The worst thing about todays performance was it felt and looked stale. |
Ammar
said:
|
...It's just that I think Little Brad would have saved that today, I really do. It would be nice to say 'what a cracking save there goal keeper made' or 'how the hell did we miss so many chances today' . We cannot always rely on our defence to bail us out for other inadequancies in the team.... |
McParland
said:
 |
... Everton is never an easy place to go so i am happy with not losing and taking a point in their back yard;especialy after i read they were going to field a very weakened side.Moyes is full of shit with comments like that because their team looked equaly as strong as ours in truth. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...But again we put out almost the same team that performed so poorly against Wolves. There is something in this, imo. It seems a pretty universal opinion on here that we now have a decent squad. So why aren't we using it to give players a kick up the arse? Fonz on instead of Heskey and Carew for me, even if it's only for short periods. Who says it has to be one big, one small? NRC in for Sidwell. Luke for Cuellar (even though Cuellar has been very good imo). Albrighton on the right to replace Milner or Ash, again even if it's only for minutes. There are options, is the point. Trouble is, if MON does it and it doesn't work out, we would crucify him. Or would we, if he came out and said he was going to use kids and ask for us to expect mistakes? |
FatKevs
said:
|
... SID Downing will not be god enough this season no doubt. Delph will be ready when? MoN paid top dollar, its not as if we are firing as a team so will reserve team football make him ready i think not he was better off where he was. |
FatKevs
said:
|
... Rios how many more summers. Rand did not want to spend this summer but alowed MoN to Strengthen last minute. we know by now we are not ging to go out & buy a top striker like we did in the past or creative midfielder Mon does not like the beautiful game |
FatKevs
said:
|
... PS i agree drop Brad lets hope the youngsters can add some excitment I think MoN has Killed Ash making him a premadonna |
Carl Main
said:
 |
... Id like to think MON will stick with players if they come in and do a good job. He has done before with Carew, Cuellar, Knight. Hope fully now he is forced to make changes, if the players coming in do a good job, they will keep their place. If Milner is out and with Cuellar suspended Id like to see this team play West Ham. -------------Friedel-------------- L.Young--Dunne-----Collins--Warnock -------------Petrov---------------- A.Young--Reo-coker(Sidwel)-----Delph ---------------Carew--------------- ------------Gabby------------------ Ive put Sidwel in brackets as that will be what prob happens. God forbid it wont! I would also like to see Albrighton maybe come in for a straight swap for Milsey but I think Delph should be pushed more towards senior level. Just because I we spent big money on him and he has more experience in league footy really. |
FatKevs
said:
|
... I do not think Heskey was that Bad today but he never looks like he enjoys thw game. I think BG will cost us games in the short term BF has been a very good keeper but it looks like time has not been kind to him lost any agility |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
 |
... Badger: Yes indeed. A kick up the proverbial. Try to go out and win matches maybe |
Ammar
said:
|
...Trouble is, if MON does it and it doesn't work out, we would crucify him. Thats always possible but if you don't buy the ticket you'll never win the lottery. Personally i think fans would accomadate and give more leverage if they know its a Youth / Hot Prospect having a run of 10 games in the first team. Players that come to mind Delph, Fonz, Albrighton as contenders for starting place in the next few matches ideally as subs. For me it would bring more exictement to see a couple of our hot prospects being talked about the next big thing because they have produced or there potential is visible in some upcoming games. |
VDV
said:
|
... does anyone remember are heavy links with STEVEV DEFOUR. we never herd of him and neither had anyone clubs from europe exsept from us and he even said he would like to joins us. but now everton liverpool man u real madrid and barcelona all want him. if mon got him straight away these clubs would not of even looked at him and now we dont stand a chance of getting a player who will in a couple of years will be one of the best centre mids in the world . doesn't this show how bad mon is in the transfer market. |
Ammar
said:
|
...I think BG will cost us games in the short term Think that abit unfair. He got us through carling cup almost single handed. Did not do that bad in the peace cup either and deserves a run of game before we can judge if he is error prone. Looks like he is a good shot stopper, Penalty Stopper and comfortable when coming out for crosses. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... This is a slow blog at the moment It needs some oomph An injection of youth maybe Someone needs to come on and take this blog by the scruff of the neck and make things happen. |
Bobby Park
said:
 |
... Just back from liverpool, a bloke who works on the Mersey ferry reckons the rumours of O'Neill going to Livrpool are not without foundation ! As for the game, typical lethargic first half performance, but better after the break without Milner ( he really is a very mediocre footballer). Petrov needs help, Sidwell has to go, Gabby good on the right, Ashley better. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... MON 4-5-1, Personally i think fans would accomadate and give more leverage if they know its a Youth / Hot Prospect having a run of 10 games in the first team. I agree. Wenger does it very well. But it's easier if you're regularly making the top 4 I suppose. And even then he gets slated by Arse supporters. I'm not sure MON would get away with it, myself. A lot of me agrees with the "play your best 11" pov, but I'm not sure what that is, tbh. I really don't think we have a "best 11" yet. Hence the reason I think we should chop and change if they're not performing. An example; Is Friedel really better than Guzan? From what I've seen, no way. Guzan is a better shot stopper. He catches the ball where Friedel slaps it down, from what I've seen in games. Perhaps I'm being harsh and of course the coaching team know better than me. I don't know, I just think things need "pepping" up somehow. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Pancho, This is a slow blog at the moment Perhaps I should get my 20 YO son on? I know what he'd say though; Why haven't we won the league? |
Simeon
said:
 |
... The most exciting thing I read was the rumour that O'Neill might be off to Liverpool. He might actually do a reasonable job there and keep them in the top half, because he'll be working on a very tight budget. However, Benitez will have to be headhunted by someone or other (eg. Real Madrid) as he signed a 5 year contract six months ago, and Liverpool are not in a position to sack him. And nice to see a fair amount of sense being talked on the blog for once. Guzan needs to come in for Friedel. Guzan, in my opinion, has the makings of a very good goalkeeper, but if O'Neill persists with Friedel (which is unfortunately inevitable) then Guzan will make a very fine goalkeeper for someone else. Luke Young ought to be brought back asap, because he was our only good defender last season, and ought to be going to the world cup. But there is at least a suspicion that there's been a falling out with O'Neill, and one would have to wonder why on earth O'Neill bought Beye if he doesn't come in for Cuellar. Fatkev is absolutely right in suggesting that Downing is unlikely to be anywhere near up to speed when he returns from his injury, and even when he is up to speed, everyone will suddenly remember what a mediocre player he is. So he isn't about to make a difference when he comes back. Obviously Sidwell shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, unless of course you subscribe to the lucky mascot theory, as O'Neill apparently does. Reo Coker really ought to be playing, but who would be surprised if he moved in January? After all, isn't one of the reasons put forward for O'Neill being a great manager that he doesn't allow any player to cross him and get away with it? Delph might be a pretty good player in a season or two's time, but I imagine by then there will be a dozen midfielders in the Premiership of a similar age who are better. Still, that doesn't mean that he won't be able to do a decent job for a upper mid-table side like us, and there's the added bonus that he's not going to be headhunted by a better team. Lastly, any thoughts on who might sign Davies in January? Can't see him being happy as a fourth choice centre back. I'd be tempted to have a flutter on him going to Fulham as a replacement for Hangeland, who, though he's been less impressive this season, might be an attractive proposition for a side in need of a 'quality' centre back. |
neil57
said:
|
... Out, so reading blog before bed! Be truthful, how many of you either disagree or would hate it, if MON went to Liverpool? It will not happen Everton put out a v strong team today. Good luck to them. Guzan a must for midweek, also Luke Young, Delph and Fonz. We got a draw when at half time I thought it looked a defeat. Goodnight. UTV |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Simeon, Good to see you never change your stance mate. 100% negative, as always. I wish I could be as consistent as you, I really do. Why on earth do you bother? Please don't try and tell me it's because you support the club/team. How about commenting on what (you probably never even) saw today? Just for once? |
James
said:
 |
... Proper English football match. Enjoyed it greatly, bit tired. Beer is hard work. Heskey was OK. Loved Big John he's more interested in the Villa crowd than anything on the pitch. Sidwell is not good enough. Collins is immense. How can anyone still be claiming Milner is poor? Get a grip of yourself. And bed. |
Faccundo
said:
 |
... Moved a point up on Liverpool and Tottenham - get a grip we just need to beat the Hammers away like we did last year As for all the people that kept questioning my judgement in advocating Marek Hamsik last summer for the attacking midfield slot vacated by Barry, question answered by a brace at the Del'Alpi "Hamsik destroys Juve" http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=278235&cc=3436 |
rodin
said:
 |
...VDV said: I disagree with that.Do you honestly believe that VDV and Sneijder would leave Real Madrid and Inter Milan respectively,teams that are European giants,and Champions League regulars to join our club?Get real,my fellow Villan!  |
FatKevs
said:
|
... Mon451 you have missread quted me there. I would like BG in for BF even though i feel he will cost us games as he is developing his game in the top flight |
neil57
said:
|
... Mourinho tipped as new Liverpool manager. They are in a bad way. Taglor has probably signed on to their blog ! DJ will be given a good chance. He wants to go to SA, so will be trying his hardest. Milner is a good player, the type every team wants. Get off his back. Spurs were crap, they never looked like winning that game. What a result that turned out to be v Chelsea for us. Give MON time. SAF took a while, I remember. DJ may be the creative midfielder we seek COYL |
neil57
said:
|
... Guzan must play. To hell with sentiment. Get him on this wednesday. Play Sidders as the lucky mascot. Imagine the dressing room, they look across and see him on the teamsheet. Despair is overruled by knowledge that they cannot lose UTV |
FatKevs
said:
|
... Are we going to dine out on the chealsea & Liverpool games for the entire season. I was over the moon we got the points but we were not the better team & it looks like we never will be against anyside. All we can hope for is we sneak a result which really is not good enough, we will never have an exciting full VP with the shit we dish out |
FatKevs
said:
|
... Its Sad, the closest we get to excitement at VP is if we can hang on for the last 15mins |
VillaNick
said:
 |
... We are talking the need for creativity. Delph & Downing could give us that, so until injurys / suspensions kick in, we won't find out for sure. I only base it on Delph's performance against Liverpool, where he supplied Young & Milner on more than a couple of occasions with decent passing & vision. Downing was the only player that gave Boro' any creativity. Apparently Gary Gardener is quite a player but is probably 18 months away from getting a chance, Bannan & Albrighton are also knocking on the door. The players are at the club, its just a matter of balls. |
John Flynn
said:
 |
... Well the only positive thing for me at the moment...with Carlos out, we will have Luke Young back for the West Ham game. Not sure how long we can have Sidwell playing, MON has to change things for wednesday.! |
Bobby Park
said:
|
... Can't understand the Milner Adoration Society that seems to exist on this blog, 'bout time you all woke up and asked what this very ordinary player gives to our team. Other than being a 'box to box player' there is very little else about the guy that warrants a place in the side. He has no change of pace, can't take a player on and get to the byline, usually having to cut back and cross poorly with his left foot, rarely scores, and can't ping a ball accuretely more than 10 yards. He really doesn't do any more than Sidwell who is equally ordinary. No surprise that we looked a much better side without him in the second half. When Milner gets the ball (which is far to often) there's never a hint that he might do something out of the ordinary or exciting, I usually start reading the programme notes in the 15 seconds he takes for one of his one paced dribbles that ends up with him getting nowhere and passing back to Cuellar. Get rid in January and spend the money (if we get any) on someone decent (Noble of West ham). |
neil57
said:
|
... Nick, good post. It appears we all have our pet hates. Bobby, most teams/fans think Milner is one of our stars. You forget, he is very young. I like Ash, but his form is poor, especially cf Milner's. We probably agree on back four, Petrov and Gabby, the rest is debatable. This is proof that we have a strong squad. Many of us like the youngsters. They may be given a chance v Portsmouth, a good draw for us btw. Not much talk on that one imo. Our best chance in years of some silverware and a real confidence booster for the lads. They all want to adorn Wembley. Simeon, be more positive or take some prozac. JPA, Churchill, Nan and Keef, to mame but a few, always enjoy your posts. Keep it up, guys. COYL |
mjasghar
said:
 |
... Moyes comments explains a lot - I thought we neutralised Villa well but couldn't create much ourselves (paraphrasing) They set out to spoil us and in the Premiership that's very difficult to get around when a home team is doing it - like we did against Chelsea. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...I disagree with that.Do you honestly believe that VDV and Sneijder would leave Real Madrid and Inter Milan respectively,teams that are European giants,and Champions League regulars to join our club?Get real,my fellow Villan! I think the point is, that at the present moment they are the type of quality we should now be looking at. The team is fairly solid, but just lacks a couple of players of that ilk. VDV and Sneijder would prefer to stay where they are. However, we pay good money for our scouts to travel around europe looking at players. Surely there are players out there that have the potential to be that good? and if so, why dont we ever take the risk in recruiting them? If Wengar can find them, why cant we? The danger for us at the present time is that if we dont recruit them now, then we may just be a top eight side for the next couple of seasons before falling away and losing the chance we now have. Once its gone, its going to be even harder to get that chance again, not without vast amounts of cash, which we dont have. Older heads on here will you that we have been here so many times before, failing to push on when the opportunity to do so. In the past we had Doug to blame. Who will we blame now? |
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
