Written by Damian Thursday, 15 April 2010 08:26
I could only do Twitter updates last night as I actually forgot my machine and only hand my phone, so apologies about that, but it was actually nice, for me anyway, as I could concentrate on the game and the very nice bottle of Whiskey my Everton supporting host opened.
But before we get to the game, we really need to get everyone around the table on the same page. Yes, fourth is possible. It is also possible that Pompey beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final, that they play in Europe next season and win the Europa League. Both things really are possible but the chances of us winning the last five games after last night are extremely slim.
What the Papers Say
Stuart James, The Guardian
An evening that started with Aston Villa hoping to keep alive their faint hopes of playing in the Champions League next season ended with Martin O'Neill's players clinging on to European qualification of any description. Phil Jagielka's own-goal in injury-time denied Everton only their second league win on this ground in 22 attempts and allowed Villa to maintain a healthy, and perhaps crucial, four-point gap over David Moyes' side in the race for the final Europa League place.
Phil Shaw, The Independent
Villa needed more than a draw if they were to keep alive their hopes of a tilt at next season's Champions League, although with their next three fixtures being at Portsmouth and Hull City and a home derby with Birmingham City, hope springs eternal. Realistically, they are now competing for a Europa League spot, as are Everton from further back, so forcing Moyes's side to settle for a third consecutive draw was useful in one respect.
Sandy Macaskill, The Telegraph
The referee, Martin Atkinson, called time of death at precisely 9.37pm on Wednesday night, but it has been clear for some time that reviving Aston Villa’s challenge for fourth place was beyond even the most accomplished paramedic.
The Manager
Martin O'Neill, The Telegraph
I thought before the game that we probably had to win the whole lot of the matches that were left to give us a proper chance (of the Champions League). It would have been a tall order and I would have thought that, certainly after this result, to give ourselves any chance we'll have to win all five. It's not impossible but it will be tough. You'd need a bit of luck here and there but we'll go to Portsmouth on Sunday and we'll give it everything.
Yes, we could still finish fourth, but we really needed to win last night for fifth and that is looking just a little bit harder now, after Spurs beat Arsenal. Real world people, come on.
The Players and Some Stats
We played 442 and I'll get stick for saying this, but it is an outdated way of playing football and we played with Big Friedel, King Carlos, The Ginger One, Ricardo Dunne, Stephen Warnock (The Fonz, 77), Webcam, Milly, Stiliyan Petrov, Stewart Downing, Gabby and Carew.
On the bench last night, that didn't get a look in, again, we had Little Brad, Luke Young, Sidders, My Fabulous, Heskey and £40k a week Beye.
Our passing number was way up last night and we looked better. We looked flat up front and in midfield and I tweeted that last night before knowing passing stats, but it is a step in the right direction. We made 382 passes last night, of which 317 were successful. It really is a step in the right direction, but we need more movement as a team and we need to work on this - I just think it is a bit late in the season to start playing like this.
Man of the Match
Because I forgot my laptop I couldn't put up the vote last night so I get to decide and I get to say it was King Carlos. The job of the full back, in the modern game, is to get forward and make yourself available. He does this I think, better than Warnock, who is more of a traditional full back and while he isn't a natural right back - I'm more than happy with him.
Final Analysis
Fifth is going to be tough, but it is not impossible and while we have a game in hand over Liverpool, I think we need to be more worried about securing seventh. Basically, we were lucky to get a point last night and that luck doesn't last forever.
We have five games left and they are all going to be important. If we can continue the passing, the movement might drop into place and we might start playing a more modern formation and we might, just might, see a game that looks like how we want to be playing.
This is happening a bit late in the season for me, but it might be mastered by the time next season starts and it might very well be mastered by the time we play Pompey in Sunday. Everything is possible.
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Rortyboy
said:
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... We started fantastic last night - great football. But we needed to score. After they scored it was chasing the game. In second half crossing from King Carlos, DJ and Milly often poor. The Fonz does not look ready. But at times great stuff - we've got a team - just need a squad |
Gwatkins
said:
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... Luck does run out, but I dont feel like we have had luck on our side recently (referee's decisions etc) So maybe rather than it not lasting forever, we are actually starting to get a bit of luck!! I only saw the game on Football Forst last night and it looked like we played quite well - can any one who went to the game tell me if this was a fair reflection?? |
Damian
said:
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... Rortyboy The Fonz got just over 10 minutes and he is getting asked to play a way that could be argues as backward for him ... |
VillaDude
said:
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... 4 Players in... GK - Friedel is always rooted to his goal line, have you ever see him come out for a cross? RB - Cuellar is trying to do a job there, but when going forward he slows down the attach and always looks to pass rather than cross. Opposition stand off him knowing he is no threat. MF - Petrov and Milner as a duo don't have the quality for the top 4. Maybe if they played part of a 3 man central midfield. But MON won't ever play that.. ST - For years we have been desperate for top striker, someone who can put half chances away, but these are so hard to find...I expect Robbie Keane will be a target... SELL or Release: Shorey, Beye, Salifou, Harewood, Heskey and maybe Reo Coker |
davevilla
said:
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... Points dropped for definite, but i also think Everton, although very similar are a better team than us! |
bobvillian
said:
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... this joker in charge of our club has to go.total idiot tacticaly;boring football with no style.80million spent on average players at best.them same players resaleable value 20m at best.i did not want mon in from start.same style of football with leicester.4years at club now and we are still waiting for top play-maker and top goal-scorer.mind you to him heskey and petrov are them players? PLEASE GO GO GO NOW and bring in a proper football manager.my ideal choice is d moyes who if you look at the signing he has made over years at everton are real value for money;arteta;cahill;baines;jagielka;pienaar;saha; and he has not even spent half of mon kitty. |
VillaDude
said:
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... Fonz looked to play as right wing/forward as we went to 4 up front... Young, Carew, Gabby and Fonz |
IanTaylor987
said:
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... Tremendous effort last night. The game was a real positive for lots of reasons. We passed the ball better, showed fantastic determination and in James Milner have a truly top drawer midfielder on our hands. What it also showed is what has been obvious to me for about 18 months now. We need a goalscorer, someone who will put his chance away when he gets it. Goals completely change games and too often this season we have not scored when we are on top. I can remember the semi-final at Chelsea, Liverpool home, Wolves Home and Away, West Ham Home and Arsenal Home where we had great chances to go in front and give ourselves a better chance to win games. It is what the big 4 do better than anyone – take their chances when they come. Witness Drogba on Saturday from Terry`s shot. He stuck it away. The second thing the game last night showed is that Petrov can only last 60 minutes. He always goes missing for the last half hour of games in the second half of the season. If MON is going to start with him he needs to be prepared to get him off for Delph. We aren`t good enough to carry a central midfielder for a third of a game. 4th is beyond but, 5th and that all important word “progress” is not. |
Rortyboy
said:
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... Damian. I agree 15 mins at the end is not much and he was played on the wing - like Gabby when he started. But I thought his decision making was niave, he got a mouthfull from Stan at one stage, and notably when we were pushing for the equalizer noone would pass to him. He wasn't trusted by his team mates even when in a lot of space. |
Luckynumber7
said:
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... To answer the question - it's 3 points gained. It means we're still some way ahead of Everton, and realistically we should be out of their sight (if we're not, then we really don't deserve to play in Europe in any way shape or form). We're a point behind Liverpool with a game in hand, which is against Hull; so overall not the end of the world. We were always going to need Spurs and Citeh to drop several points against big opposition, and we'd need to win when we went to the latter. Not much has really changed there, except you really would have expected Arsenal to get something off the spuds last night. from my view last night, I have to say it's the first time i've really thought we looked tired. We seem to be ignited by them scoring the second - which makes you ask why we weren't pressing when the scores were level? I said this on the previous post but you have to look at this game in some kind of context. I know we were home but Everton's current form is better than ours and we played a cup semi final at he weekend. Not the best combination. On a player level - I'd expect to see Delph down at Pompey. Milner, although provider for the first goal, looked fooked. He had several chances to drive at Everton and simply looked like he didn't have the legs. Petrov did ok, but again, he looks a tired. I'd guess Warnock will get a break now - he looked like a took quite a know during that immense dual tackle between him and Dunney.....Luke should get his chance now, at his much favoured LB! |
Frankie Pimblett
said:
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... First of all great match, Everton are a very good side at the moment and came for the win which made for entertaining end to end stuff. On the plus side Downing looked much better drifting in to central midfield where he had some good runs and linked up very well with Milner especially. Can't fault anyone for effort except Gabby who despite scoring looks as though he can't be arsed at the moment, much the same as Wembley. Would still like to see Dunne and Cuellar in the centre as I'm really not sure about Collins, has a real tendency to ball watch. Scott Parker, Hitzelsperger, and Kevin Doyle in the Summer please MON. |
simon littlejohns
said:
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... Stewart Downing and Richard Dunne in particular looked tired and John Carew was back to his frustrating worst,I am concerned that MON seems reluctant to play Luke Young who after the personal problems/injury at the begining of the season and not wishing to play for England again comments has barely played since.Cuellar has improved at rb but imo he is the best centre half at the club,and Delph has barely played despite the obvious need to rest milner/downing and petrov on occassions.A number of players will leave villa in the summer and unless we can attract better squad players than we have currently got,we will be treading water next season.We certainly have a stronger 1st 11 than last season but we need a stronger squad. |
VillaTX
said:
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... 2 points dropped no doubt credit the boys for coming back...but it's simple...we needed to win |
VillaDude
said:
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... The last 3 home games against Wolves, Sunderland and Everton have been dissapointing...not by the players (apart from Downing), they have given all they can but the lack of squad use by MON. Players like Delph, Albrighton, L Young and even Sidwell could have had the 20/30 mins to help the team out. I also agree, PETROV can only run for 60 mins, he's had that problem since he came to Villa, shame he will never be rested or dropped... |
SCOTT1
said:
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... first 20 mins were superb,up there with the best weve played all season.then suddenly we started to lose our way and reverted back to type.ive been thinking about this and could it be because of the amount of english players in the team? maybe our mentalitys different but how many times do u see the rugby union team do it? the cricket team do it? the national football team do it(till capello sorted things put) maybe im clutching at straws but i dont put it down to tiredness,not last night anyway.everton hadnt played for over a week and we just kept on going and going.its still on believe it or not and we all say things we dont mean when we are pissed off,thats human nature. but if spuds and citeh lose this weekend and we win the citeh games is massive with spurs still having to play manure.that late equalizer could still prove to be important lets see.utv!! |
frosty
said:
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... Rodallega in Heskey out. Noble in Sidwell out. Etherington in to keep Downing on his toes. Wouldn't break the bank either.. |
astonmichaeldevilla
said:
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... i think we can forget 4th or 5th now. SPURS getting the win last night was the death nail. I didn't expect them to get that result and it's a kick in the stones for our players. it tell them that time is running out for them and they feel to tired to vdo anything about it. I don't doubt for a second that if the villa players were fresh they wouldn't be able to walk last nights game. We are a better team than Everton, fact...You have to feel sorry for the players...I'm not going to say a single word on the manager. We have to be happy with 6th place if we can get it. I got carried away a few days ago when i saw the games left but the fact is the players are not up to it. they've been struggling for a couple of months now and not getting a rest has cost them the chance at silverware or even the coveted 4th place in the lge. Whether or not we make it to Europe this season means nothing now. The summer coming and whether we have money to buy some real class is the issue. That's all i'm worried about now. I WANT TO THANK THE PLAYERS FOR NOT GIVING UP LAST NIGHT... |
Celtic_Villan
said:
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... grow up lads, it can still be done, where theres a will theres a way. stay behind the team for the last run of matches. i felt embarrassed to hear everton fans above villa for the second half. damian im not sure how you could give man of the match to anyone else besides james milner. i have rarely sem more of a one man show from villa than last night. he was superb, the only problem was that when he was closed down in the middle we had to wingers that cant cross. especially the one to his left. downing has been a passenger. we shall have to reserve judgement until next season though, he was kind of thrown into the deep end this year. we win our next 3 games lads and this becomes a very different conversation. stranger things have happened, and if we beat hull pompy and the blues, which we should, you may well see us being mentioned for fourth in the run up to that city game... |
VillaDude
said:
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... Adam Johnson looks set to be in the England Squad... Why did Downing only play for 20 minutes last night? Did MON move him back out wide? |
nix2
said:
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... I had the game on the radio last night, and one thing I picked up on was I only heard Gabby mentioned when he scored, he's a player right out of confidence. But as soon as Delfonouso came on Gabby chased every ball, ran every cause, took people on. Maybe MON might notice the key to confidence with youngsters is having someone younger snapping at your heels. We're not tired, we're complacent, we're happy going about our business but we don't need to do anything to keep our places, that, I believe, is complacency. I can see a shake up coming next season, but dont think MON wants to take the risk this season and thats fair, he also owes it to the players who have worked so hard they deserve the glory of achieving what they will within such an integral team. And yes I said celebrate, they deserve that, 5-7th place, Cup final, Cup semi final, Man Utd away, Chelsea at home, beating the blue noses 12-0, these boys deserve more than a round of applause, its been a long season for them, and with Europa next season the youth will get a chance, only fans will then be disapointed that MON isn't taking something seriously enough, how can the guy win. Guzan Beye Davies Clarke Shorey Albrighton NRC Delph Bannan Heskey Delfonouso Thats a damn good 2nd team, and I would imagine that team would work quite well together, they're like a mini-villa first team, in fact I wouldn't mind seeing a direct swap and see how they got on in the Premier league. For me I'd rather have a different keeper but the rest of the team looks quite good. Heskey would play better off a no nonsense NRC, and Delfonouso's speed with Albrighton and Bannan will terrorise. Defence will be reasonably okay and it looks like a team that will score. |
James Ansell
said:
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... Just thought i'd let you know, pompey can't get europe because of their financial situation. They couldn't get their accounts in order to apply for a license to play in europe or something like that. Also, i think last nights display was appalling. John was uncharacteristically bad, Ashley awful once again, Cuellar mucked up at every opportunity he was given. All i can commend is Stan and James Milner, the real workforce of the team. After last nights performance i'm debating if we'll finish in the top half of the table, let alone 4th. Talking closer to now though, i can genuinely see a loss to blues. Which would be awful. |
.vogra
said:
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... Deffo looks like we got the wrong player from Boro, what i wouldn't do to swap Downing for Johnson. Back to the game, i thought it would be a draw, i think we need to get a bit realistic on 4th, this was never and will never happen with MON in charge. We dont have the strength and depth of a squad to do this, even with Everton's injuries they still had the likes of Louis Saha to bring on, a Premiership quality striker. Id love Saha at Villa Park, him and Carew up front would be a pretty good strike force. We have to and should beat Pompey on Sunday, they have a huge injury list and cant field half their team for financial reasons. I was impressed with James Collins at the start of the season but for me his limitations are coming through, he should have been dropped games ago and made way for Cuellar to partner Dunne and Luke Young to be brought back in, yes, he didnt have a good game against Chelsea but who did. Downing should be benched and Young brought over onto the left flank with Milner going back on the right and either Delph given an extended run in the centre of midfield or Sidwell or Cocker brought back into the centre mid..Fonz should now be getting the nod ahead of Heskey to be brought on, IMO i dont want to see Heskey ever again wear a Villa shirt... We |
jimboAVFC
said:
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... i thought the lads put in great effort last night but the game highlighted just how much we need a natural goal scorer. at times the team looked tired and if we are going to compete next season, martin will need more faith in his bench and his youngsters. i hate to say it but look at harry rednapp yesterday, starts a 19 year old no one has ever heard off in spurs biggest game in the calender and he scores a screamer. have faith and you will get rewarded. |
The Droyd
said:
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... Milner was fantastic last night but nobody else was. A good first 20 mins or so then the familiar tiredness through lack of squad rotation kicked in. I don't see the point of having fringe players like Young, Beye, Sidwell or Shorey if they aren't going to be used. He may as well sell them and put youngsters on the bench. It's a joke. I really do despair at O'Neill over the last month or so. I don't want him to go but he is bewildering me at the moment. I suppose my feelings are neutral to whether he stays or goes in the summer. Damian - Cuellar was nowhere near man of the match last night. He is an excellent centre back but a shocking right back. He didn't have one of his worst games last night but we should aspire to better than this at full back. Any news on Warnock's injury? |
Maindog
said:
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... Its OK to go 2-0 down at home. Its fine. MON is god. This is me 'supporting' the team. |
Celtic_Villan
said:
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... just look at the positive until the end of the season. moaning has no benefit to anyone. anything you say has been said before ad nauseum so dont bother. we can still play in europe next season with good results in the last 5 games utv |
FirstTimePoster
said:
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... Ok, this is my second ever post but I come to this blog every day. Can I first start out by saying that I have loved this season so far, dispite the position we find ourselves in the league. I love the matches at Villa Park. Whether we win or lose, they are always exciting fast paced games to watch. I live in Bristol and try to get to as many games as I can. One thing that many people seem to have overlooked this season is how difficult a team we have become to play against. We have only lost 6 games in the league this season. Only two teams in the premiership have a better record, Man City and Chelsea. Combine that with two excellent runs in both the League Cup and the FA cup we are an extreamly diffucult team to beat. For the first time since becoming a Villa fan I love every single one of our players (aside from perhaps Heskey!). They all work their socks off every single game and they work hard for each other for 95 minutes every single game. In my opinion we need to keep hold of O'Neil. Look at the squad he has built up. Every manager that comes in has a different way of playing and like to bring in their own players. Bring in a new manager and I would bet serious money that we would have a very differnt team in 2 years time. I for one think that would be a massive mistake. The players we have are still young. Still learning their trade and I think with the exception of Dunne, Petrov, Carew and Heskey we have so much more to come from them all. Agbonlahor, The Fonz, Milner, Ashley Young, Warnock, Downing, Davies, Guzan. That is the spine of the team under O'Neil if he stays. The one thing I think we really need and really miss is a top quality striker. We need to turn more of those draws we have had into wins. More of those crosses into goals. We have the ability, we have the players, we just need someone to finish it off for us. We score more goals and I think we would see Subs used more often. When a game is finely balanced and you think you are already playing your best players, I can understand why O'Neil may be reluctant to make changes. If it were me, Id get rid of Shorey, Beye, Salifou, Harewood and Heskey, consider selling Carew and sign a quality striker. I think thats our missing link. I think we have to keep O'Neil to keep hold of this young exciting team he has built up and let them deliver on their promise with Aston Villa and not some other premiership team. |
Frankie Pimblett
said:
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... A very positive aspect last night was Heskey not getting on the pitch and Fonzie coming on instead, i hope the penny has dropped with MON and the mule is sent packing this summer. Thought the midfield worked very hard last night but it's difficult when your more mobile striker is not making runs dragging defenders out of position and creating space. Although Carew didn't have one of his better games he still made a couple of decent chances out of nothing which he'd normally put away, We really do need to hang on to him. |
bushnell87
said:
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... This is my first post but i read this site everyday and Im now going to speak up, I am fed up with those people who write comments after we drop points, we battled hard last night, remember everton have recently beaten chelsea and united, and we got stuffed by chelsea. Yeh there is no denying that we did need a win but whoever thinks the next 3 games are bankers is in dream land, pompey beat spurs, they have nothing to lose, hull are fighting for their lives and birmingham is the biggest derby for us and a derby match is a derby match, look at spurs arsenal last night. As for those that slate Randy Leaner, would we have the likes of milner, young, dunne, warnock etc if Deadly Doug was still in charge, The answer probably not, we would still have the crap that nearly got us relegated with oleary playing and we have definietly got better players now. Finally Martin Oneill, those people that want to get rid of him should never write on this site again, coz you are not true villa fans, He has completely changed our team for the better, he took over from oleary when we looked like we would be playing championship football, now we are there or there abouts now most seasons. We dont have the financial backing of chelsea, united, man city or even spurs, so he is doing the best he can, I dont believe there is a manager at the moment that could do a better job than oneill for us. Sorry but i wanted to get my point across. |
PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL
said:
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...Its OK to go 2-0 down at home You clearly didnt watch the game then. Makes a mockery of your comments if you dont even bother to watch the games. |
sit-down-potatohead
said:
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... We had the chances to win last night, both Cuellar and big John should of hit the net. The big disappointment for me is Downing. I am willing to reserve my full judgement until next season giving him the benefit of the doubt because of the amount of time he has been out injured. But so far he has flattered to deceive in a big way. In my opinion we have been carrying him, and we are not good enough to carry passengers. |
divine_islet
said:
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... For all of those who think we played "great" football,and that it was a good result against everton yesterday.Check this link out http://www.footytube.com/video/aston-villa-everton-apr14-39719 |
pablo
said:
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... michaeldevilla. I reckon Everton would be above us if they they hadn't had a host of injuries. Both times they've played us this season, they've been unlucky not to pick up maximum points. You've got to be blind to think we're a better team than them (they do lack speed though). |
nix2
said:
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... Carew is ur world class striker, he's just also world class at being lazy and staying. MON plays Heskey to try make Carew stand up Carew rarely seems to be bothered. Get shut of Heskey and Carew will step up, and when he's injured we got enough people to cover, or go 4-5-1 like we did last season without him. |
natha8888h888
said:
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... Manchester City - Man Utd, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham LLDDW = 62 + 5 = 67 Tottenham - Chelsea, Man Utd, Bolton, Man City, Burnley LLDDW = 61 + 5 = 66 Liverpool - West Ham, Burnley, Chelsea, Hull WWLW = 56 + 9 = 65 Aston Villa - Portsmouth, Hull, Birmingham, Man City, Blackburn WWWDW = 55 + 13 = 68 I STILL BELIEVE!!!!  |
OneVilla
said:
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... Good game last night but we were lucky to get a draw... Our players were absolutely KNACKERED after the game which is more than concerning we lacked anything up front but thats old news. The other point is and i hate to say this but if Arry Redknapp can play a 19 kid in a North London derby arguably one of their biggest game of the season... Why didnt MON play Delph to freshen things up and add something a little different in the middle of the park. We dont have the greatest squad in the world but using the same player over and over again its no wonder they were out on their feet at the final whistle. As Damian said we will be lucky to finish 7th if we continue to play like that... I dont wanna think about the 'clowns' game... On the bright side... we got the draw. |
LukeYoung
said:
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... Everyone at the game was saying how good a match it was, and some were stupidly happy at a last minute equaliser - Which against Arsenal or alike would be a great moment. I didn't smile from the time they scored the first goal - I knew we'd get a point, and I knew it wouldn't be enough.. |
Maindog
said:
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... PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL....No I didnt watch the game last night. Its one of only a handfull of games ive missed all season although you have no right to question my ability to watch my team thankyou very much. My comment wasnt only intended to vent my frustration about last nights game. Its pretty much every game we play after the new year. Why is it OK for us to go 2-0 down at home? Tell me why please. |
badge73
said:
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... again our crossing was poor, which is a wonder when in theory we have 3 wingers in the team who could be going in the world cup!! the problem with our strikers last night was they were playing to close together, when we do cross the ball in, one should go near post and other far post with a runner from midfield bombing forward. could not blame carew last night as he won most of the flick ons. if people have noticed other teams dont mind carlos going forward as when he is forward he just dont have a clue on what to do!! do think the game was crying out for delph in the last 20 mins as think he would of put some energy into the midfield and never know might do something other then pass to the wing and lose the ball as per we did last night. |
bushnell87
said:
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... Maindog, I think you are now digging yourself a hole mate, since the first game of the season against wigan, we have only gone 2-0 down at home once this season and that happened to be the game we beat blackburn 6-4, just thought id point that out. |
JimmonyGjameson
said:
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... Last night was a real eye opener for me. Tactically we looked naive. Our formation is is a 4-diamond-2... only the diamond stretches the width of the pitch and the length of it! I was sat there in the bar before the match and said to my mate "I bet Moyes plays 4-5-1." and guess what, he did. They had a spare man in defence, a spare man in attack and a spare man on either wing when we had the ball. When they had the ball they helped themselves to the middle of the park, which is worrying. Yes we battled hard, but with what end product? again! We start every match looking like we will romp it, then after ten minutes the other team gets used to the way we play and it looks incredibly hard work for us from then on in. I keep saying this but villa, and yes that means Martin O'neil, need a plan B. When was the last time you saw Villa change their formation to outwit the other team? When was the last time you even saw villa score a goal that wasn't created from wide play?! The fact is that we have one style of play, when it doesn't work.... we just keep trying it. It was obvious last night that our wide play wasn't that productive, our wingers had 2 men on them every time they touched it, but we kept going with it and were very lucky to get a draw. That is what is so F**king frustrating about watching villa. We huff, puff, and then it fizzles out. We try so hard, and I'm by no means criticising the players we have, just the lack of ability to change things. We cannot expect to challenge 4th place with our one dimensional style of play. |
Maindog
said:
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... Bushnell87. I know mate, it was just me being a spaz! Im just pissed off with why we are so weak the second half of the season? If that scoreline happened at Man City or at Spurs or at Liverpool, it would be considered a bad result, why is it acceptable for some of our fans? |
heskeyiss**tdotcom
said:
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... frosty nevermind ethrington can we get wittingham back to replace downing another mistake that the club made letting him go. |
freelancelot
said:
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... Maindog, It wasn't 2-0 at any stage of the game (nearly though). I thought it was a pretty entertaining game actually. We stuck in there and at least got a result that keeps Everton out of our hair. In my predictor table done about 2 months ago this was a draw, so no surprises against an improving team. I think it's still going to be close at the end. Have a good look at the fixtures that the top 4 chasers have got left (a few posts up). There are loads of big games to come and we're still in the mix. What's not to enjoy? |
The Droyd
said:
|
... The season has gone. Time to get the cricket whites on and concentrate on cricket. Who cares about qualification for the Europa Cup? O'Neill doesn't take it seriously so why should we? Transfer rumours could be about the only things of interest for the next few months at VP. Not many of those at the moment. An ex Villa player told me last night how Cahill was offered to O'Leary when he was at Millwall but O'Leary turned him down. He went on to say that O'Leary was corrupt and most managers are with O'Neill being less corrupt than most. O'Leary also turned down Olic the Croatian and bought Baros instead. |
astonmichaeldevilla
said:
|
... natha8888h888: Is that wishful thinking on your part mate? Don't get me wrong, I applaud your confidence in the teams abilities to turn it round but i fear you are misguided. you are letting your heart rule your head in this case. I've been optimistic all the way along but the chance to finish 4th is far in the distance now. Yes it's mathematically possible but it's not realistic on the teams performances over the last couple of months. JimmonyGjameson: Good point about the tactics or lack of. It was the same against Chelsea in the semi at wembley. We kept going wide to young even though he was knackered from trying and is low on confidence. That's down to one person b'cos he seys the agenda. We need for the players to take matters into their own hands for the rest of the season and try a different way. |
Chiefy
said:
 |
...BANKERS IN BLUES THREAT The bank run by Keith Harris won a High Court judgement against Blues' owner Carson Yeung's Grandtop investment company last month, when City announced their intention to appeal. Dont you just love it, the clowns up the road are in the smelly stuff  I posted on here about how much of a mess that grand top holding circus act was and low and behold.. headline from sky sports Gardener "loving" life at Blues is another headline do you think he realises the club is ran by a bloke who's business has made year on year loss's of over 90million something to brighten the day |
Lanceley12
said:
 |
... We need to go 4-5-1. Petrov and Milner get over ran in midfield! We need a proper right back at right back! We need to use the squad more! WE ALL KNOW THIS BAR THE MANAGER, ANNOYING!!!!!! This season promised so much. Gutting! |
AVFC 4 LIFE UTV
said:
 |
... http://www.google.com/hostedne..._WG87f-jMw Completley on a different subject but this just backs up what chiefy was saying. But about the game i thought a point against everton is good, they way we went twice behind isnt good but the way we fought back although a lucky goal was encouraging. |
Testie
said:
 |
... Hi Damian, Was just wondering how to contact you via email. Can't seem to find a contact email for you on the site. Lets try to keep our heads up lads. I must say that the game last night really reminded me (bar the first 20 minutes) of how we ended last season. I agree with the sentiments that getting rid of MON now would be a silly move. Although I understand the frustration in that he seems to keep making the same mistakes. Regardless of where we finish this season we were only a few results from possibly winning two cups, and have stayed in the hunt for forth until the last 4 or 5 games. I certainly would not say it has been a disappointing season yes a frustrating end to the season but not disappointing on the whole. I would rather be in contention for honours (forth, league cup, FA cup) till April than to have never really been up there whatsoever. But that's just me. |
frosty
said:
|
...frosty I really rate the bloke too.. always keep an eye out for him. 22 goals from midfield is pretty good going, say he halved that in the Premier it would still be a better return than anything we have at the moment in midfield. Etherington for me though is one of the most underrated players in the PL - being realistic with our budget ( or from what I hear ) I think he could become a great signing. |
astonmichaeldevilla
said:
|
... I said i wouldn't say a word about the manager until the end of the season but i've just broken my word on that. it only took me a week to break my own word. Last night i didn't even keep up with the score on the web.Tells it all and i'm sure there are plenty of fans who feel the same. The crowds have dropped at villa pk again b'cos the fans know exactly what to expect at this time of the season. I feel sorry for the players as i've said before, many times, but the fans who spend their hard earned money every week or who have season tickets must be heartbroken at the state of affairs. They turn out to support the team come hail, rain or shine only to see a repeat of the happenings of the last 3yrs. Players out on their feet and subs getting paid a fortune to warm the bench. when is it going to end? It's time Mr Lerner sat down with the manager and asked those hard questions. After all he is the one who forks out huge sums to these players who don't or haven't had a chance to show their worth. Why shouldn't the fans of this great club show their discontent with what's going on. Huge ammounts of money is gone paying players who don't play for the club. Oh yeah, they turn up everyday for training but is that enough to say they've earned 40/50 grand a week? I'm at a loss as to why this hasn't been a sticking point between O'Neill and Lerner before. I'd love to know how much the players on the bench every week get paid....it would be good to see how much wasts there is at the club at the moment. TRY TO FIND OUT THEIR WAGES DAMO.... |
John Salter
said:
 |
... A point against Everton is okay but trying to get 4th or even 5th spot is unlikely now which confirms we need a goal scorer for next season unless we're going to be a, 'happy top ten side but not top four.' The Fonz only got ten minutes last night so anyone saying he doesnt look ready, is either stupid, dumb, or doesnt know much about the game and this is why: a. MON has had all season to give him some experience in the 'first team' it didnt happen. b. He's already proven himself in the England u21's and the reserves at Villa! Didnt they just win the league with him scoring plenty. c. He's quick, fast, pacey and scores. Next season he should be starting regularly. If he had got that 'first team time' or even some quality time on the pitch, MON wouldnt be looking for a new striker in the closed season and Villa would save millions! d. He's probably already better than 'some' of our existing forwards and he has to be used or he'll either opt to go somewhere on loan or put in a transfer request! JPA doesnt think the latter would happen but but you be satisfied sat on the bench when other clubs would start you? Everton are a good team that grind out results but its another sign that if Villa want to progress, changes have to be made to the starting eleven (only a tweak) a striker and another inventive midfielder and of course back up on the bench. Despite the last month being a disappointment, overall, its still been the best season in a long time and despite lots of people wanting that 4th spot this year, how long would we have lasted in the Champions League? I think far too much is made of it unless you can go on a run like Arsenal, Man Utd or Chelsea. Going out in the early rounds would be bitterly dissapointing so realistically its the Europa Cup next year. I think thats the best way to go at the moment as things are! |
Rowley Villain
said:
 |
... Cuellar Man of the match- did you actually watch the game? Milner was a different class, again. Cuellar is a centre half and not a full back, as evidence proves. Luke Young and Beye must wonder what they have to do to get run of games. Along with Downing, Cuellar needs to be dropped. They just aren't playing well enough. By the way, does Downing play Rugby too? Just wondering why he never passes forward . . . . . . . . . |
BrooksterMax
said:
 |
... I thought Downing started his Villa career reasonably brightly but seems to lack that spark now, his crossing was woeful at times yesterday. Hopefully we will see what we paid 12m for next season. Although I do wonder whether the broken leg has had an impact on his body and ability to play like he used to? |
Rowley Villain
said:
|
... astonmichaeldevilla Last night i didn't even keep up with the score on the web.Tells it all and i'm sure there are plenty of fans who feel the same The only thing it tells us is that you're not the sort of fan we need. As a season ticket holder in the Holte I am not worried or heartbroken by the state of affairs. And judging by the majority of the fans singing for O'Neill, neither are they. You wouldn't know, but for the first half we were very good, against a side that had a 10 day break and should've been fresh. Stick to checking the results on the web and barking on about stuff you obviously don't know about. |
Fenian Villain
said:
 |
... Personally I don't accept that we were lucky. Last night Villa played superbly, particularly in the opening 20minutes or so, until the Everton goal. I don't think its too out there to say that no-one in the Villa seats thought Everton deserved the free kick that lead to the goal, and EVERYONE abused the referee for his unexplainable preference for giving decisions Everton's way. Even when we were 1-0 down, I always thought there was a goal in Villa, since Villa Everton matches are nearly always classics in recent seasons. I was eventually proved right, and I felt there were more goals in Villa after that. Granted, we we gave away a stupid free header of a goal, but aside from 15 or so minutes of the second half, I thought Villa were the better team and definitely deserved to draw level (without the stupid free header it would have been the winner). I thought the whole team played well. I haven't read the comments here yet, but I have to say aside from one (major) slip, the whole team played well. Admittedly I'm one of Martin's biggest fans here -no apologies for that- but even his critics must have been pleased with the attacking sub, bringing off Warnock for the Fonz?? It showed fighting spirit, and I was delighted with the team AND the atmosphere at Villa Park. Although I'm naturally disappointed we didn't win, I thought it was a brilliant performance to atleast maintain our advantage over Everton. Let that performance carry through for the rest of the season and I genuinely belive 5th isn't out of reach..... maybe even at a tremendous stretch and a hell of a lot of better luck than we've been getting recently 4th is not impossible. I will keep my optimism right to the end of the season. Even if we finish 6th again (don't think we'll finish 7th) this will have been an excellent season. Progress and a spring board for increased success after some brilliant buys in the summer. UP THE VILLA!! |
Maindog
said:
|
... Rowley Villain. Ive been a season ticket holder since I was 16 and now my job entiles me working random hours I cant risk getting one, but I still go to the majority of home games anyway, which usually means me clogging up a work load and giving me Mondays from hell, but thats what I do because of my love for the team. Can you please answer me this....Would you be happy with the way our season pans out each year? The odd good cup run and a battle for 6th/5th? The odd result against a top 4 side and the odd player of the month award going to one of our boys? Its been nice having that after a couple of crappy years but now im just bored! Dont you want more? Surely you want us to at least keep up with the likes of Man City and Spurs? Why should they have all the fun! |
Fenian Villain
said:
|
...Maindog Clearly you were not at the game, or even paying attention to the radio/stream. We were never 2-0 down. Wake up |
Chiefy
said:
|
... instead of arguing and moaning AS PER NORMAL can't we all POINT AND LAUGH at the BLUE SCUM Where are their reatarded little fans now ??? going to spend 40million my arse they are going to get OWNED by the end of MAY the way things are going |
Maindog
said:
|
... Fenian Villian. Clearly you need to wake up and read the posts I have written after and admitted my mistake. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... You have to admit it is a little like ground hog day isnt it, I mean we lose same stuff on here, we draw same stuff on here we win then it all goes mental, there is 5 games left lets concentrate on enjoying them and supporting what ever team MON puts out KEEP THE FAITH  |
Rowley Villain
said:
|
... Maindog what's your point? We are up there with Man C and spurs! Look at Everton 8 years with Moyes and loyal fan base, hard working, quality team. . . . . oh and they're 8th. What makes you think we are entitled to be 'up there'? Take away our European Cup and we are Everton in claret and blue. Just with more fickle fans  |
Maindog
said:
|
... even his critics must have been pleased with the attacking sub, bringing off Warnock for the Fonz?? If Warnock wasnt injured this would probably have never happend. Wake up. |
Christian1983
said:
 |
... Did I really see Ashley Young given the job of marking Tim Cahill for their second? Did I really see that???? |
AVFC 4 LIFE UTV
said:
|
... cheify- i agree with you once again lets leave the game from last night as anything new people will put on here is going to be the same as what has already been said whether it may be true or not. Cueller at RB. Downing not good for more than half of the game. Im gonna contradict what i have just said by asking people to talk about the game but oh well. ONE THING WOULD FANS BE HAPPIER IF WE WERE 1-0 UP THEN 2-1 UP THEN LOST IT IN THE LAST MINUTES LIKE THEY DID OR WOULD YOU RATHER COME FROM BEHIND? |
Fenian Villain
said:
|
... Maindog. I commented after I read your first post, and then saw your adendum. I accept you were being a spaz, that is on hell of a mistake to make! Yes its unlikely we're going to get 4th this season, but that was always going to be the case. Nevertheless, I put my energy into hoping for a positive end to the season, and very much enjoying the football when it was as good as it was yesterday. That second goal was an infuriating one to concede, but can't you be happy with the fighting spirit that shows, imo that despite how hard and unlikely it is that Villa will get 4th we will continue to fight! We are also continuing to improve, and I am certain we will sign a striker in the summer, and also hopefully a creative midfielder for times, like last night, when Everton played immensely defensively. Look at the positives! |
villa fc
said:
 |
... maindog his change was awesome becuz it has conned ppl like u that he went more attacking when he actually jus played another player out of position the fonz is a striker not a right midfielder like carlos is a centre back not a right back |
frosty
said:
|
... This year Everton have spanked Man U, beaten Chelsea, done Man City away were robbed of 3pts against Arsenal... you could choose to ignore that fact as some have done ( selective judgement ). For all of those who think we played "great" football,and that it was a good result against everton yesterday.Check this link out Your taking the piss aren't you? So 50 odd teenagers have had a little vote on footytube.. I mean footytube!! It's like buying the Daily Sport to catch up on world politics... |
Fenian Villain
said:
|
... Martin said a point is not good enough for either time, and that is not really good enough seeing as Tottenham won. He knows what our flaws are. He will work to correct them. I have faith in the man! I will support the team!! |
nix2
said:
|
... Whats all this about 1 style of play, blah blah blah, that was a fair comment up until last nite, and I've been slating Downing but thought he had a better day yesterday, and Carew, and Gabby. Yesterday was good, we had how many shots on target on Saturday, we hammered Howards goal yesterday. The more shots the better, the more deflections the better, the more rebounds the better. 2nd equaliser was never a cross, if it was it would have balooned into the holte, it was a bad shot that trickled in. Thats great. Who needs a 20goal a year forward when wingers can get flukey. We just need more efforts to get flukey with. My rallying call is for every villa player to have 7 shots each game, except Gabby who is only allowed tap ins unless he's got no support. If we did that I think Collins would have a hattrick cos that boy knows how to shoot, and we'd score from so many rebounds. Even Cuellar might be dangerous, I bet he's gutted about that header he loves to score. You can't win the raffle if you don't buy a ticket, lets keep getting this shots on and off target stat up, if nothing else its interesting to watch. On a second note, I know you like your stats Damian, I'm intrigued as to goals from set pieces over the last few years. Last year we scored and conceeded a hatful of goals, this season we seem to have done the opposite, however, we dont' seem to be scoring from set pieces as much imo, can you get the stat on that? I'm intrigued |
Fenian Villain
said:
|
... hehem.... not good enough for either team I will continue to support the Villa! Will you Maindog? |
Maindog
said:
|
... Rowley Villain. We are 6 points away from Spurs and 7 points away from Man City! They are battling for 4th, we are not! They both have squads that dont really need additions to mount the same challenge next year. Look at Everton 8 years with Moyes and loyal fan base, hard working, quality team. . . . . oh and they're 8th. I dont understand what you mean by that? Is 8th supposed to be a good thing? You ask me what I think entitles us to be 'up there'. That is a shocking question! Why the hell should we not be up there? Newcastle and Leeds have played Champions league football,geez, Blackburn have won the bloody prem! I admire your positivity, I really do, I was like you at one stage, but now I just want more. Oh and its ambitious not fickle. Your like my missus mate. Easily pleased! |
sit-down-potatohead
said:
|
... I think Carlos is getting a bit of a rough deal. I think he has done ok at right back. Granted he is better in the middle but he definitely gives his all. I would rather have him in the middle, in place of Collins if i am being honest. |
Fenian Villain
said:
|
... There is always atleast ONE on this site who winds me up. If Warnock wasnt injured this would probably have never happend. Wake up. At the game, I didn't see Warnock obviously injured. He wasn' writhing on the floor like so many Everton players, and I don't know where you read that he was injured. Perhaps you're a tool who is determined not to see a good tactical substitution when it occurred (even if it was due to injury) |
Celtic_Villan
said:
|
... yeh christian, i found that alarming too. hiumself and downing would be the last 2 players i would have marking at a corner, even with warnock injured. id like to see the first goal again to see who was marking cahill as i can only presume ash picked him up while warnock was injured. milner was excellent. he is excellent. a cut above the rest. he generally is. a 12m pound player? please, if we sold him now he'd 3 times that |
Rowley Villain
said:
|
...Newcastle and Leeds have played Champions league football,geez, Blackburn have won the bloody prem! Different time, different world. You can't just expect success. I said Everton are 8th with a good side and an excellent manager. There fans appreciate what they have and that just because you want something it doesn't mean you get it. You're like my 3 year old girl, you seem to think everything you want should be granted when you want it. Get real So 6 points is a million miles? Liverpool are 5 behind spurs are they not a massive club? |
Fenian Villain
said:
|
... I'd like to be able to rise above the posting of idiots, but I'm failing today. Maindog, stand up and accept your reward. Newcastle and Leeds have played Champions league football So have Derby County. Does not mean they won it! Winning it is the achievement! geez, Blackburn have won the bloody prem! At that stage Blackburn had an awesome team, complete with one Alan Shearer. Stop your winging. We are still overcoming almost 20years of minimum investment on our way to being a competitive team again. Oh and its ambitious not fickle. Your like my missus mate. Easily pleased! Oh this is golden!! You're actually doing my job for you by taking the piss out of yourself!! Are you admitting you're a crap lover? Also, learn to use a bloody apostrophe!! Your signals possession. You meant YOU ARE - YOU'RE. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you have daft views, if you're a moron who can't spell properly |
Rowley Villain
said:
|
... Oh and it is fickle Maindog Bet you weren't moaning on our 2 trips to wembley What am I saying, that implies you go to games |
Maindog
said:
|
... Fenian Villain...Its all over skysports news about Warnock injury. Perhaps you're a tool who is determined not to see a good tactical substitution when it occurred (even if it was due to injury). Why would I be determined to not see MON make any sort of change? Hes quite good at doing that himself! I was merely ripping into MON when I said that would probably never happen, when in fact MON has done it lots of times before. Taken off a full back and replaced them with either a centre mid or an attacking player. Pretty much every time he has done it, its made no difference what so ever. |
runtings
said:
 |
... while i would love to see us in champs lge i think it is a little to early in MON development of the squad to make it and think we would struggle to qualify for the group stages .. i think the side is getting better and agree we need better movement and passing as per Damian and believe this will and must improve ... but my overview is that until we get some better strikers... keeping gabby and fonz ...things wont quite click at villa i sometimes feel sorry for the likes of webcam working his socks of only to supply lame strikers that of late he has been putting in a one on one situation with the keep only to see them fluff it time and time aGAIN .. we along side everton have the weakest strikeforce in the top 8 but hey rome wasnt built in a day |
frosty
said:
|
...Oh and its ambitious not fickle. Your like my missus mate. Easily pleased! Does she still like that thing when you tickle the back of her ear |
Elliott
said:
 |
... Many of us seem to be underestimating Everton's ability. They are a fine side, who set up for a point, and if it wasn't for slack marking, and one or two bad decisions....the free kick wasn't, and cahill rugby tackled milner to the floor, shortly before he scored his second....we would have won. We created great chances, Carew should have scored, Cuellar very unlucky not to, and showed great character to go til the end. And Agbonlahor finally scored, can't be that bad! The fans who were there and kept going, well done, we could have gone home and bitched on sites but we didn't. |
Maindog
said:
|
... It seems im causing a stir here....Look, I love what MON has done for our club. Hes now got a decent few players in, Hes got us back into Europe and he has taught us to be determined and work hard. I just cant see him getting us any further! I was always the positive one like you Fenian Villain and Rowley Villain, I really was. Do you not get frustrated with MONs old fasioned approach to the game? Dont you scratch your head when MON keeps saying 'we'r tired, we'r tired' then plays the exact same team for the next game!...I could go on and on at all of MONs bad points, which unfortunatly outweigh his good points nowadays...I really wish it wasnt like that but that is the way it is! Why question my support for the team? Me being ambitious (or fickle) and complaining like a t**t is all because of my passion and support for my club! I love Aston Villa, I love the crop of players we have, I always get behind them, but MON is really getting me down! |
ak_27
said:
 |
...I was always the positive one like you Fenian Villain and Rowley Villain, I really was. In fairness he was as i think we've had a few arguments on MON is the past? At least you are now seeing what the man is really all about. |
Maindog
said:
|
...Rowley Villain No I wasnt moaning. I loved the cup final. Thanks. Now next season I want more, I want to win them. What exactly is wrong with that way of thinking? |
Maindog
said:
|
...frosty said: Im so glad you said 'back of ear' then!!! haha! |
YorkSpurs
said:
 |
... Spurs fan here...from an England point of view what is going on with Ashley Young???? Its going to be tight but unfortunately i think citeh will get 4th, us 5th, villa 6th and amusingly liverpool 7th |
dave w villa
said:
 |
... I have just got my tickets for the blues game can not wait not many tickets left now Are we on sky against portsmouth this sunday ? Agbonlahor is now on 50 goals for villa can anyone tell me how many players we have had in the last 20 years that have got 50 or more i can not think of many ? |
runtings
said:
|
... Maindog i fully appriciate your view and of course you are fully intitled to your opinion just like the rest of us but what i cant work out is why you would get rid of a manager that has brought us from a bit of a joke to a decent outfit and is continueing to re-shape the sauad .. who would do a better job with the money he has spent ..he has his faults like us all but he is a winner always has been in football terms .. and i am sure he has the determination and intelligence to keep villa moving forward ... also unless he gets 200mil in one season and pays ridiculous wages ..not that the wage structure isnt high enough already .... its going to take special management skills to put us above the likes of citeh and so on |
Caesar
said:
 |
... I've got a plan! We keep MON for the first half of next season and sack him at Christmas, then get Moyes to take us for his super second half of the season miracle. I'm sure we'd have the title in the bag! |
krisavfc
said:
 |
... I think we definatly need a new striker, were only getting one goal a game if were lucky cuz let's face the second goal last night was very scrappy and probebly quite lucky. |
john doyle
said:
 |
... went last night i thought the players tried hard again but most looked f**king wore out . still the same old mon if warnock did not get hurt the fonz would not have come on and we would have lost .let again the fonz showed in 10 mins he is the best forward at the club by a mile he should start every game he has pace flair and something that the rest dont have SKILL his first touch is better than all the rest put together. he should start every game for the rest of the season but we know he wont. its always the same old grips with mon no right back . dose this guy watch football at all who was to mark there kangaroo? what a good choice webcam. basic faults like this happen every game mon wont drop his pets ,keeps paying good money for players to sit and watch .randy must grow up and get rid of him now he is just clueless ,downing could not lace albrightons boots we can all see that why if the great martin dont want to play delph was he not left at leeds to get another season under his belt this kid dont play at all. he is never in the second team and never in the first what a waste of 6.8 mill and how is this going to improve if he dont play . just look at Harry last night young kid in team what happens but martin wont give our kids a chance so he must go now and his over paid bunch of players who dont play |
RVilla
said:
 |
... Fenian Villain, I don't understand why you're trying to turn posts made by Maindog into something petty. You say: "There is always atleast ONE on this site who winds me up." Well today you are really beginning to piss me off with your notion of superiority to many others on this blog. Your persistent admiration for MON is admirable and you are making a few valid points, but I think it's time to come down off your high horse of grandour, just because you're so supportive of the man. Just because others don't share your positive view doesn't make you a better supporter of Aston Villa. I don't agree with people calling for MON's head, I think that's ridiculous to be honest, however it's quite clear some of the mistakes he made last season have once again been made this year due to lack of rotation resulting in us once again falling off at the business end of the season. |
Carlos is a centre back!!
said:
 |
... I think the main reason people are getting so frustrated and annoyed with MON is we can all see we are so close to doing something special but he just seems to be making the same basic mistakes time and time again and not learning. If only MON used the squad he assembled more, tried different formations and made subs earlier we would stand a much better chance of getting to that special place. Maybe it wouldn't make any difference and we would still slmup at the end but at least we have tried every possible option and utilised the squad fully. I truly believe if he would have played 4-1-4-1 this season and used the likes of Luke Young, Beye, Davies, Delph, Sidwell, Reo, Albrighton and The Fonz more keeping the team fresher and also making subs earlier in games, we could have got 4th spot this season, That's why I get so annoyed watching them at the moment, I know it's there but it's not being used properly. |
Carlos is a centre back!!
said:
|
... Adding...I never used to get this annoyed when I was watching the Villa under O'Leary because I knew we didn't really have the players and I wasn't actually expecting much. Now I can see we have something and we are not far off achieving bigs things but simple mistakes keep getting made. |
frem
said:
 |
... i thought fonz did very well. he has great feet and is a better finisher than gabby. michael carrick we were linked with today. great player. |
john doyle
said:
|
... frem the only way carrick would come to villa is a make up for millner know who i would rather have |
Kakaboo
said:
 |
...Celtic_Villan said: I commented on Young marking Cahill for their second goal yesterday - it really baffled me. It was Dunne that marked Cahill on the first goal. If I remember correctly there where three Everton players between Friedel and our defenders on that set piece. A brilliant serve, for sure, but poor marking. |
Maindog
said:
|
... Fenian Villian. Are you actually serious? How old are you? I was enjoying a good bit of banter and debate until you started being a complete prat! You are struggling to understand my the points I am trying to raise so I will just leave you alone in the future. Also, this is a blog for Villa fans to communicate with each other. Im pretty sure I can get away will lazy writing skills on here. Prat. |
frem
said:
|
... john doyle- calm down. criste i was only sayin. carrick has been poor last two or three seasons but still hes very good. i think we could get him without selling milner to. |
GGGG
said:
 |
... I'd just like to see Fonz start in the last few games, and Gabby come on as a sub. Gabby's at his most dangerous in the first 20 minutes, with his energy levels at maximum. If he's brought on when the opposition has already put in an hour's work, he could get alot more joy. Fonz would benefit from first-team action, and Champions League is long gone, so why not try something different? |
villadevil
said:
 |
... The premier leage showed today what it thinks of supporters http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8623114.stm |
oscars arse
said:
 |
... Disappointed with the result last night and am very late on here due to work but hey first up Blackburn didn't win the prem did they? NO Like Chelsea they BOUGHT it. Back to the result, not what we wanted or needed with Spurs winning - whatever people say about the cockney barra boy he at least gives youth a go lovely volley it was too!! Very surprised witht the team selection I thought at least 3 players would be rested but no and I guess this could have been a tellimg factor. Champions league over and europa a maybe. Oh and guys cut the aggro out, its like the 70's all over w hen the left side of the Holte fought the right side when there were no rivsl fans to fight with - grow up!!! |
ClaytorAVFC
said:
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... right, i dont know about anyone else but this is REALLY annoying me! why is everyone saying that everton IF they had won would have gone on to take over us for 7th place, have they suddenly forgotten about liverpool ? the team we've got game in hand against ? and yes we need change within our team but NOT with the manager, honestly who else would you rather be in charge of us ? i'd stick with o'neil for as long as we can or we'll end up with someone like graham souness or mark hughes, that wouldnt be progress at all now would it. and on the transfer window yeah we need a proper goal scoring striker but so does most other clubs and there is not many players who are anyway is there, we'll only end up with someone like doyle, which im not saying is a bad signing just not someone who i think is better than what we already have!  |
dingbat
said:
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... Cuellar m.o.m no way!Its a shame cause he is a quality centre half,but he is becoming a figure of fun where I sit in the Holte! |
Nanwasafan
said:
 |
... I'd like some discussion about Young. His diving. His faking injury. His stamp on Piennar. His abuse of the referee. He is becoming increasingly unpopular in this league (and not because of his ablilty). I am starting to think he has gone backwards this season. I think he now needs a firm hand not a supporting MON cuddle. Discuss. |
john doyle
said:
|
... claytor avfc i dont care who we get as manager and thats the truth just want some one who can see when players are f**ked and need changing and will give youth a chance if martin could see these facts which 90% of all villa fans can see i would not mind . but he cannot and he will not admit that he is ever wrong and keeps running the first 11 into the ground . thats why he has to go plus the fact he has crap players who do not play on over 50k a week no wonder randy says there is no money left for him let him sell all the f**king rubbish he has brought with dowing and sidwell first then give the mule to anyone and f**k off biyee moaning on 40k a week plus the rest of the players he dont play |
dingbat
said:
|
... I must admit his diving is starting to annoy me. Many times he goes down when he is in a good position, no freekick! Then the old faithful holding his ankle. Wouldnt fool Baldrick! |
young villain
said:
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... We could quite easily be level points with spurs and one point behind city if we beat portsmouth and hull and they lose there games at the weekend. Looking at it like that it is not over but tbh can't see us getting into the top 4. |
Greg1981
said:
 |
... Nan that’s a good point. Ash and Milner are our top drawer talent. Sadly, I think it’s something else you have to lay at Martin’s door. Form is one thing; attitude is another. But be sure: without Ash this year we would have struggled badly. His delivery is fabulous and the constant source of quality points: Man Utd etc. He also works unbelievably hard and has helped shore up our defence on loads of occasions. MoN needs to sit on him. Didn’t go yesterday so, as usual, won’t comment except to say that on TV it looked the same old huge hole in the middle and the opposition being set up better than us with more bodies where it counts. Since Wigan it’s been Groundhog day. Since Wigan it’s been Groundhog day. Since Wigan it’s been Groundhog day. Since Wigan it’s been Groundhog day. Since Wigan it’s been Groundhog day. |
andy5759
said:
 |
...I didn't smile from the time they scored the first goal That must be awful, spending all that time and money simply to be miserable. I feel sorry for those fans who can't enjoy sport for sport's sake, it's not sport then is it? It's something else, something rather less appetising. I was stuck at work while the game was on last night, I got regular updates from our resident Spuds of their game, no news on ours until afterwards. Yes, I was gutted - for all of five minutes, then life goes on. Perhaps it's an age thing; as we get older we realise that there is more to life than ninety minutes of football. Maybe us oldies ought to be the less patient ones, our time is running out to see another Championship and European Cup. UTV - SOATO (Shit on all the others) In Martin we believe. |
andy5759
said:
|
... Nan, he needs to grow up quickly. Christiano Ronaldo at ManU was a right toe-rag until Sralex made him get his head down and play. Ash needs similar treatment. He has talent in abundance, the sky is the limit, we should run out of superlatives. Maybe a year out on loan to Real or Barca might help? |
Kakaboo
said:
|
... Nanwasafan, Maybe the reason is that Ashley Young gets easily frustrated when Villa aren't winning as I cannot recall seeing him act out this season while Villa where leading. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just show that he hate not winning. But I agree that he needs to tone it down and compose himself. |
frem
said:
|
... A rumour was posted on the Villa mailing list that is supposed to come from a Nike insider who works in marketing.He says that after 3 years we are swapping from NIKE to UMBRO. Now we understood we had a 5 year contract but of course UMBRO is owned by Nike but would be rated as the kit manufacturer for the ’smaller clubs’. interesting |
Celtic_Villan
said:
|
... jesus id take him trying anything to win and passion over the passenger on the wing opposite. downing has been tame all season, as i said before the decision on him has been delayed until next season. id be adverse to critising any of friedel cuellar dunne milner young too much. they are the first names on the team sheet and largely full of fight all season. as much as i like petrov, he is slowing, and it wouldnt hurt to have someone with a more defensive mindset in there, who can really get his hands dirty. |
Falmouth Villan
said:
 |
... Only watched last night on football first but from what i saw the lads did ok dispite the final result.For my money most of the comments on here about being tired are true but has anybody thought why? the answer is simple look at the shape we play.. in the middle Milner centre mid pushing forward, Stan centre mid in the holdlng role mainly playing in our own half, then Ash hugging one side with DJ on the other touchline so there is a massive gap each side in what used to be a right/left half role...no wonder we get overrun most of the time.Add to this the totally stupid situation with the right back role and the fact that for 90% of the time Downing brings absolutley nothing to the team and it really should not be a suprise that we tire/fail during the last third of the game. On a brighter note i was proud of the effort most of the team put in at wembley but i thought the support especially just after half time was massive we toally out sung Chelsea it was rocking in the top tier! dint hear a word from them untill the 2nd goal went in.just a shame the team cannot play with the passion they showed at wembley every week it would get everyone behind them. So staying positive for now but anything less than 3pts against the clowns and i would be worried if i was MON! |
IdahoVillan
said:
 |
... I have to say that I'm happy with the fight and passion of the team, but obviously not happy with the results. Dropped points to Wolves and Sunderland really are hurting us. I am on the fence regarding MON. I think what is needed next year is a few "changes". What I don't know is whether MON can effect those changes. If I were Randy Lerner, I'd simply ask serious questions as to how MON plans to take us to the next level. 1) How are we going to get more goals in the squad? The defence is great -- now we need an offense. 2) How will the youth program get integrated with the senior team? We have great players waiting in the wings, when and how will they get integrated? Delfonso looked "rusty" -- had he played more games at the start of the season, he could have been an impact player for us in this one (or others). 3) The "end of year slide" continues to be blamed on tired players -- what is the solution? If you ask for more players (and more money) do you plan to actually use them? I think MON has earned the right to provide a strategy, but if I wasn't happy with the answers or they sounded like "we'll just work harder next year", then I'd start looking. Just my opinion. |
Falmouth Villan
said:
|
... andy5759, i to am of the older school and was there when we went down to the third division, but i think you are totally wrong its not just sport or even football its far more important than that to a true supporter its a way of life i hurt when my team loose OR draw! i am ELATED when we win. The reason most of us write to this blog is to vent our frustration or share our happiness. Nobody is bigger than our club inc MON so if he cannot pull in some quality players(only need 2/3 imo) this june/july then maybe it is time for him to move on after all if he is doing his job now he should have them lined for the end of the season! |
frosty
said:
|
...It's games like this one, Wolves twice, Stoke at home, Villa at home, Birmingham twice, where we have dropped points when, if you want to get to fourth or fifth place, you've got to be beating those teams.[/quote |
r0bb0
said:
 |
... Damian, Lots to agree with in your post. I can't quite put Carlos as MOTD because I thought that Milner was just outstanding, but I had Carlos second. I don't think anyone questions his defensive capabilities, but what I most enjoyed about his performance was the increasing attacking contribution he is now making. He does still need to work on his crossing but his ground passing has improved hugely and he opened up their defence with a couple of excellent balls to a Villa player in their box last night. I am also with you on the improvement in our passing game. I have sympathy with Simeon's view that football is not all about numbers, but is a combination of art and science. The number and accuracy of passes can however give insights into the performance of the team as a whole. The accuracy of our passing has increased every year under MoN so far and our improved ability to hold onto the ball is one of the factors which has made us so much harder to beat this season. |
sidscurlingleftfoot
said:
 |
... Having watched the Everton game again today, on proper telly and that... Bar 2 or 3 world class saves we would have won easily. Everton were clinical and in the end Jagi can't spell it helped us out. Not the first time either. Have to say it's been hard to read this blog for a while. I'm a Villa fan and lover. For a while there it was all about Villa hate. Utterly frustrated by the way the season's ending, but you have to stand back and see the good stuff. There's loads of it and it should be focussed on. Power trip from Bloggers and there's MON out stories in the press. I'm a Villa supporter. It's a game. It's also an emotional ride. So... UTV wherever we finish. |
AussieLion
said:
 |
... Decent result. I think MON learnt something as he actally brought on another forward who can score on for a defender which was good work. ALthough he only used one sub, while Moyes used all three. Thought we could have one as we had some good chances. I think 4th is gone now but still hoping. 5th is my realistic hope though and cant believe Spurs won! although Arsenal had no Arshavin or Fabregas which they had when they versed us. |
lee baines
said:
 |
... gwatkins i am an evertonian and was at the game on wed and was very disappointed i felt we were unlucky not to win the game as we were the better side for most of it.bad mistake by tim howard cost us. |
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