We started like we wanted it more and that is usually a good sign or a sign that the manager has had an effective team talk and while we won, the performance was, well we beat Hull 1-0 at home; what do you think the performance was like?

But three points is three points and at the end of the day, I'll take poor performances every week if we win every week, but it was ultimately a poor performance and as someone has said to me this morning; the football hasn't changed since David O'Leary, they just play a little harder.

It took me a minute to think about it but I can see it. The football hasn't really kicked on and we're still playing 4-4-2 when all above us play something else. It would be easy to pick out players to blame but I don't think they are ultimately at fault here because they are working their socks off (although one or two could work on crossing). This isn't the 90's - you need more than effort.

But it is difficult to criticise when we've won, even though I actually think it needs to be said. You can't come out for an entire half and defend and just play long balls - any team higher in the table than Hull would have punished us for that.

The Stats

Aston Villa: Brad Friedel, Luke Young, Nick Shorey, Zat Knight, Curtis Davies, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, (Craig Gardner, 90), James Milner, Stiliyan Petrov (Nigel Reo-Coker, 90), John Carew (Emile Heskey, 86), Gabriel Agbonlahor

Hull City: Boaz Myhill, Sam Ricketts, Andy Dawson, Kamil Zayatte, Michael Turner, Kevin Kilbane (Goncalves Manucho, 73), Deiberson Geovanni (Nicky Barmby, 46), George Boateng, Ian Ashbee (Dean Marney, 9), Richard Garcia, Daniel Cousin

Goal Attempts (On target): Aston Villa 11 (7), Hull 9 (5)

Goals: Carew (34) 1-0

What The Papers Say

Nick Szczepanik, The Times
Hull were far from disgraced, even if Boaz Myhill, the goalkeeper, had to pull off some memorable saves to keep his team in the game.

Paul Walker, The Independent
The cynics, however, might feel Hull's late resurgence was due more to their opponent's nerves. Martin O'Neill's side came in not having prevailed at Villa Park since January and their anxiety was all too apparent in the closing stages when they suddenly looked alarmingly vulnerable against an outfit they should have put to bed a long time before.

The Manager

They could have got a goal at the end. We should have had the game dead and buried before then. But when we didn't get the second, Hull were obviously going to go for it with nothing to lose. It was up to us to hold out - and we managed it.

Up Next: Fulham away

I had to double check it was Fulham this weekend and when I did, I then went to find out who Everton have, as I reckon Fulham could get something from this match the way we are playing at the moment. Everton have Spurs at home, so there is some hope.

We are guaranteed European football for next season, Fulham are still playing for the chance of it and they've done extremely well at home this season. I fancy we'll need more than luck to beat this team; maybe a change in formation. Sorry, it isn't more positive but it's difficult after last night.

Man of the Match

You voted him and you can't really complain with the results. The man of the match against Hull was John Carew. He got 27.8% of the vote and Stan the Man Petrov came in second with 23.5% while third went to Nick Shorey with 17.4%.

Gareth Barry got 5.2% of the vote and James Milner would have gotten more but people kept missing his button and to think they've been using the keyboard for years! Shocking.

Final Analysis

I don't know what to say that hasn't been said or implied above. We give the ball away too easily, we lack any real idea and while we are probably the hardest working team in the league I'd say we are also in the bottom five of the passing league and if someone somewhere took statistics on failed crosses, I'd fancy we were high on that list since January.

Still, the league table doesn't lie. We won and we are fifth and like I've said, I'll take poor football if it brings the victories, I'd just like to see something different in the fourth season.

Comments (36)

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Abdul Kashif said:

... It was all about the three points yesterday. Wasn't a great game but it was nice to get that winning feeling back again. I thought Petrov had a good game and deserved man of the match, but I also thought Curtis Davis was great in defence. Let's push on and get 5th place. Big summer ahead for O'Neill and the club. Oh and Petrov was asked several times about his future last night but refused to comment about a new contract, but I do think he'll sign and stick with O'Neill.

Comment 1, made on May 05, 2009 at 10.52 am

RayK said:

... all said and done a good result with some good individual performances. of course 2-0 or 3-0 would have been nice and but for a couple of fantastic saves by Myhill that's what we would have won by.

Comment 2, made on May 05, 2009 at 10.52 am

TechnoTurkey said:

... Not often I leave a game that we have won feeling miserable, but that happened last night. Maybe it is because it was bank holiday Monday and I would rather have been relaxing at home, however there was nothing inspiring there at all. Barry appears to be going backwards at the moment and while Petrov had a decent game I think he is too slow at releasing teh final ball sometimes (opinion borrowed from someone else). Changes need to be made if we are to progress again next season. 6th to 5th has taken a lot, 5th to 4th will take legions more.

Comment 3, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.10 am

Michael said:

... hull's idea of defending high up the pitch worked well, if they hadnt of done that i think we would have scored a few more. petrov and barry worked well together in the centre, they seem like a really good partnership, its a shame that one of them isnt creative enough and that petrov is scared to shoot from range (and that barry will be going soon) milner i still think will be better suited in the centre and not on the wing, shorey id be happy with as our first choice left back next season and luke is brilliant, still think we need a better partner for carew, michael owen would be perfect. zat and curtis did well but i still get nervous when they are under pressure.

Comment 4, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.17 am

THE AV VILLAN said:

... How long has it taken me to find you hiding back here Damo?!?!?! Been looking for clues as to your whereabouts for weeks on the o*****e dross!! Anyway just quick note to say Curtis Davies for my MOM was very impressed with him last night. Also another point that i think needs to made is that i was sat behind MON last night and he was trying to get the defence and midfield to push up in the last 10 minutes so i really don't beleive that it is his plan to sit back and defend, i think its more a case of the team trying desperatley to get that much needed win. Also £10 on Carew to score first and the 3 points meant it was my best trip to Villa Park all season!!! UTV!!! Great to have you back Damian

Comment 5, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.32 am

THE AV VILLAN said:

... Anybody else got an opinion on Big Johns eyebrows??

Comment 6, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.33 am

Damian said:

... THE AV VILLAN Thanks .. I did see the eyebrows .. I think someone said yesterday; more money than sense.

Comment 7, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.35 am

Spencer said:

... It was the classic game of two halves I thought. We played some good footabll in the first half and but for Myhill would scored more. James Milner, the full backs, Petrov and Big John all played well. The second half was very poor and we definitely looked like a team who are tired and struggling for confidence a bit at the moment. The last 10 minutes were particularly frustrating as any co0mposure we did have almost completely disappeared. But hey 3 points is what we needed and 3 points is what we got and right now that's the main thing. Hopefully it will act as a springboard for the last 3 games. We all know this summer needs to be a big one so here's hoping that we get in some new blood, more quality and no matter what formation is played some more composure and creativity for next season. Come on Martin! UTV!

Comment 8, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.36 am

Spencer said:

... The eyebrows are done purely to confuse opposition defences & scare goalkeepers.

Comment 9, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.39 am

Chris Harper said:

... Good atmosphere last night and plenty turned up considering it was on Sky, it was Bank Hol and a night match! Before the game it was good to see what Villa had put on for us fans. The trophies were on show and the break dancers and football free styler were brilliant. Well done to Villa for this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC3FKcVpM54 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7P3-FlJ_K4 To the match... We started off brilliantly. Ashley Young looked like he had a few Pro Plus beforehand. Barry and Petrov were showing signs off pure class....as they do. I thought we played pretty poor compared to many of the recent games in the 12 game winless run, but hey, that's football for you! 3 points and a clean sheet was just what we needed. Gabby didn't do as badly as people make out. Lets not forget, you don't see the whole picture when watching it on tv (no pun intended!). He did well bringing people into the game etc. He had a brilliant shot first half that was superbly tipped over by an impressive Myhill. One thing that I did have a little moan about last night was the crossing and corners. Tell me how a professional footballer who goes training and plays games all week long can't kick a dead ball further than the first man?? You keep singling out Milner Damian but Barry and Young are also guilty of this. Along with many others, I'd like to give a mention to Shorey. I have been critical of his performance in the past but since he's been back in the team, he's done himself proud. He's been brilliant. European football again next season! Here's to a strong finish! UTV!

Comment 10, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.42 am

Anthony Laud said:

... saying the football hasnt changed since oleary is maybe a bit harsh, but i agree our style of play isnt great. we have to be the hardest working team in the league because we hold onto the ball worse than virtually every other team. I remeber seeing stats not long ago with us bottom with stoke in that category - completed passes etc. The counter attacking style we play getting it forwad quick obviously means more mistakes and less control of the ball. the problem is that style of play can only get us as far as we have come now - to compete with the top 4 and ultimately in europe you have to be able to pass through teams and retain possession. for the record i will take us playing badly every week if we win like yesterday -its just we wont win like that against better sides and next season we need to control games better

Comment 11, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.44 am

MacTheKnife said:

... I thought we did ok last night, Shorey was class.

Comment 12, made on May 05, 2009 at 11.45 am

peter haworth said:

... Just relief at getting 3 points.Great to see MON playing Shorey after spending 4 million on him!

Comment 13, made on May 05, 2009 at 12.10 pm

Abdul Kashif said:

... John's eyebrows. He was asked about that in the post game interview. He just laughed it off and said that it was the fault of his mom's cat!

Comment 14, made on May 05, 2009 at 12.16 pm

Chris Harper said:

... I never saw his eyebrows....anyone got a link to a video or pic?

Comment 15, made on May 05, 2009 at 12.18 pm

adam said:

... i missed the eyebrows anyone got a pic

Comment 16, made on May 05, 2009 at 12.21 pm

RayK said:

... I agree - we got the result that mattered. Although Hull in freefall at the moment we shouldn't forget that their away record playing the top 4 is pretty good this season - they beat Arsenal, and drew against both Liverpool and Chelsea. I totally agree that if we are to fare better next season we need to be able to thread passes through teams - we're far too reliant on the wing play of Young & Milner. We need that guile/creativity from central midfield and it may be that Milner can do a better job for us in central midfield that Petrov/Barry in that respect.

Comment 17, made on May 05, 2009 at 12.27 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Anyone heard anything about Laursen??

Comment 18, made on May 05, 2009 at 12.58 pm

Steve Sims said:

... we've played better than that and lost, and we'll play worse than that and win more comfortably. If it wasn't for Myhill it could have been 4 or 5, then we wouldn't have wobbled towards the end. the performance was decent enough for an hour so no need to be too pessimistic. we're back to winning, we qualified for europe again albeit in the chumps league rather than the champs league, and we got the clowns to look forward to next season. bring it on!

Comment 19, made on May 05, 2009 at 1.09 pm

VillaJigz said:

... I agree with Tonebone, it is a bit harsh to stay that the football has changed since O'leary. But what we have to look at is the personel we have in the squad and why we need to change it over the summer. At the moment we have to play to our strengths, which at the moment is Big John and Lil Young. At the moment we have no creativity in midfield which limits how we play. This is why we've had such a bad run at the end of the season. Teams have worked us out and prevented us from playing the way we was at the start of the season. But we have to work with what we have at the moment and why need to the strengten in the summer, with a creative player plus and solid defender. Hopefully MON realised this and have players in mind, because teams aorund us will only get better where we will stand still. People are going to unhappy about the last third of the season but looking back, we give it a good go for 4th but came up short and with the personel, I dont think it a bad effot, but let hope for a better season nexy year!!

Comment 20, made on May 05, 2009 at 1.12 pm

mikey18 said:

... with correct management he could be a real world class striker! but not with out the support of the Holte! why can't we get behind a born and bred brummie as well as we get behind a norweigian

Comment 21, made on May 05, 2009 at 1.30 pm

mikey18 said:

... gabby that is, deleted the first half of my post by mistake!

Comment 22, made on May 05, 2009 at 1.30 pm

Damian said:

... mikey18 he needs to connect more with the holte end ..

Comment 23, made on May 05, 2009 at 1.42 pm

RayK said:

... MON must realise that we will have to strengthen in the Summer for we all know that the gap between ourselves and the top 4 is massive. At the moment imo only Ashley Young, Carew and Barry are good enough to seriously challange for a place in the first team at either ManU, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. Equally the substitute benches of ManU, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal all have at least one player who would get into our first team. For Villa to really get to that next level its about bringing in players of such quality that some of our 'automatic' first choice players (such as Davies, Petrov, Gabby and Milner) may have to be happy starting on the bench next season.

Comment 24, made on May 05, 2009 at 1.53 pm

Chris Harper said:

... RayK- I think you're putting Petrov in the wrong bracket of players there.

Comment 25, made on May 05, 2009 at 2.02 pm

Dan Price said:

... to mikey Because he couldnt finish his own dinner, whereas carew is our only player with a real attacking instinct and who doesnt bottle it when a shot from any range becomes available

Comment 26, made on May 05, 2009 at 2.03 pm

DAMIEN REYNOLDS said:

... I think we'l see Darren Bent at the Villa next season, his goal ratio for Spurs is quite good.

Comment 27, made on May 05, 2009 at 2.20 pm | url

RayK said:

... Villa_Chris - Petrov has been one of our better players this year without doubt (and there are definitely positions in the team that you would look to improve first before replacing Petrov) but imo he would not start in the midfield of any of the top four. My point was that for us to be genuine top four contenders next season, we should be looking at each player in our first choice eleven and think yeah, they could get into one of the top four's first team. At the moment I only think that Ashley Young, Carew and Barry could do that.

Comment 28, made on May 05, 2009 at 2.24 pm

Ramon Maklouf said:

... If Petrov is not topfour material RayK then neither is Barry nor Ash Young.. Simple as. I think people are far too critical of our first team. Had a couple of results gone our way, it is possible that players like Milner, Davies and Gabby would be thanked and immoratilised for bringing us to the promised land. I don't see justification in calling a first team 'unworthy' or 'pisspoor' and then expecting them to win every game. Doesn't work. [Not a shot at you RayK, just in general]. Valid points Tonebone, you are growing on me I must admit. A win is a win, is a win, is a win. Have faith guys. We have a good squad.. UTV!

Comment 29, made on May 05, 2009 at 2.33 pm

RayK said:

... Ramonicus, I think Ashley Young would have stood a decent chance at playing left wing for Liverpool or Chelsea this season. I don't think Petrov's name would have gone on the team sheet ahead of Gerrard, Mascherano (Liverpool), Lampard, Essien or Ballack (Chelsea), Carrick, Anderson, Giggs/Scholes (ManU) or Fabregas, Denilson (Arsenal). I think Barry probably would have, which is why both Liverpool and Arsenal have both shown an interest previously - I'm not aware of any of the top four showing an interest in Petrov. For the record, I think MON and the squad have done a fantastic job over the last 2-3 years and I really don't consider myself one of the boo-boys. Our squad this year compared to last year is miles better (Freidel vs Carson, Heskey vs Harewood, Milner vs Routeledge). But if we have genuine aspirations of breaking into the top four - rather than flattering to deceive like we did this year - we're still going to have to materially improve the squad, and that may mean Petrov finds himself on the bench.

Comment 30, made on May 05, 2009 at 3.13 pm

Chris Harper said:

... RayK I just can't see how you can come to that conclusion... If Barry or Young could get into a top 4 team, how couldn't Petrov if he's been better than all of them overall this season??

Comment 31, made on May 05, 2009 at 4.00 pm

Panos said:

... I'm happy with the three points, although still lots of room to improve. I trust MON will do all the right moves over the summer...no more "thin squad" excuses please. By the way, the blog keeps getting better by the day...the logo at the top looks awesome !

Comment 32, made on May 05, 2009 at 4.19 pm

David Tyler said:

... RayK - I can see what you mean. Petrov for me would get player of season but that doesn't invalidate your point. He just doesn't have the passing range that might otherwise make hima threat to someone like Carrick. It's just healthy competition that would put Petrov on the bench, no criticism of him intended. I suspect that could be one reason Petrov's contract isn't settled, though it could also be a sensible case of getting the season done and dusted. Flip it the other way - If Petrov has been our star central midfielder, by definition we don't have adequate cover. Is that good enough for next season's workload? No. In that case, why buy a back-up if we get the chance to get someone to jump ahead of him in the queue.

Comment 33, made on May 05, 2009 at 4.36 pm

RayK said:

... Villa_Chris - imo Petrov would not be able to get into one of the top four's central midfield due to the number & strength of the central midfielders at the top four clubs. Ashley Young stands a better chance at one of the top four clubs because I don't think they have the same sort of quality in the left wing position as they do in central midfield. I think Barry would have stood a better chance than Petrov of breaking into the central midfield of one of the top four clubs this season, not just on this season's form but his form under MON over the last 2-3 years that led to the England call ups and the fact that Liverpool (and perhaps Arsenal) were interested in him in the Summer. (Petrov by comparison has had a poor couple of seasons before this one.) I'm not saying that Petrov is the first person MON should be looking to replace - far from it. Our immediate priority should be Laursen's replacement, then Barry's, then perhaps competition for Gabby and Milner and then perhaps Petrov. (The reason why it should be Petrov then rather than looking at the full back position is that central midfield is a lot more important to the team than full back). But just to repeat the point I was actually making - the best clubs want the very best players in their respective positions and if we want to break into the top four we need to find a couple of central midfielders (given that Barry likely to go) who are on a par with the central midfielders at the top four.

Comment 34, made on May 05, 2009 at 5.52 pm

Martin Clabon said:

... Tonebone - Great point but I think for once you are being too kind and maybe I'm going to be too harsh. While we play direct football breaking quickly and creating chances and this leads to a worse pass completion ratio and low possession rates (and looks bad) because we go for a lot of killer passes, play fast and hence risk losing the ball with the pay off being creating a lot of chances (in theory at least) but there is another team who do this. They're called Man Utd but the difference is while they also break at pace and commit a lot of players forward quickly it is not all they do and we need to learn to be less one dimensional. I love the pace and excitement we play with but unless we learn to be a bit more guile we are always going to have to blow teams away or be left hanging on at the end while we get massive amounts of pressure. We need to pass and retain the ball far better across the whole team and Milner is no where near the worst culprit, despite what some people continue to say.

Comment 35, made on May 05, 2009 at 10.59 pm

bermuda villain said:

... gentlemen, the way it see it, its so simple. Keep your best players, get rid of the rest - replace them with players of equal quality or better to the good players that you kept at the club in the first place. If i were MON, with an admittedly hefty warchest, here's what i would do: sell all the central midfielders at the club, barring gareth barry and petrov. Buy Diego from werder bremen, and gourcuff from borduex. You now have 4 fantastic central midfielders. Only 3 of them are going to play at a time though, in a 3 man central midfield. Ashley out on one wing, milner on the other, flanking a lone striker. Thats right i said it, a loan striker, we keep carew, gabby, and heskey at the club, and play them individually as lone strikers. They have all proven they can play there, and rotating them in and out of games will prolong the seasons of the two injury prone big men, and preserve the freshness of gabby. You wont have a lack of firepower as milner and young will be joining every attack, as well as whichever 2 of barry, diego, and gourcuff, while petrov stays at home. standard back 4 - at left back hopefully bouma will be back to his best, and we have an able number 2 in shorey to provide competition. Luke young is fantastic at right back, but another natural right full back will be required to create competition and protect against injuries. Center back position is the same as center midfield, you want 4 quality options. lets assume laursen is finished (legend) - that leaves us with davies, cuellar, and knight. I would get rid of the weakest of those three (knight or cuellar), and bring in two center backs better than what we currently have, maybe hangelaand frpm fulham and this albiol chap from spain. Friedel is good for another year and guzman is coming along well.and bang, you're done. Players in: diego, gourcuff, hangelaand, albiol, glen johnson - players out: harewood, salifou, sidwell, possibly reo-coker, zat knight,wouldnt let gardner go just yet. Anyway there you have it. one of gabby/carew/heskey up top as a lone striker - ashley and milner on the wings - an inverted central midfield triangle consisting of 3 out of barry, diego, gorcouff, and petrov (petrov sitting deep with two more attack mided players in front of him. A quality back four, and an excellent keeper. the lone striker will have his wingers drifting in to support, as well as the two attacking central midfielders coming up from behind. Its mouthwatering.

Comment 36, made on May 07, 2009 at 1.51 am

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