Review of Blackburn at home

So the season is well and truly up and running now that we have graced Villa Park at last. From the pre match drink in the Swan and Mitre to the walk down to the ground there was a renewed hope among Villa fans and what could be achieved in the day ahead. All the talk pregame was that of how the boss would be greeted by the Villa faithful and how his style of play would work at Villa Park. Over the next 90 minutes we would hopefully get some answers to all those questions asked since his appointment.

Getting into the ground we heard the team was the same eleven who started against Fulham.

Given

L Young     Collins     Dunne     Warnock

 Petrov    Delph  

N'Zogbia     Heskey     Agbonlahor

Bent  

Out came the team to the cheer of the Holte End and then was the moment of truth. Out stepped AM and the reception he received must have been of some relief to him. A warm encouraging reception was probably the best way of putting it.The game got underway and Villa looked confident and assured on the ball in a real positive style of football that i think we were all suprised to be watching. After 12 minutes Petrov ran forward, Yes Ran, and Forward. The two words we never thought we would hear used with Mr Petrov. He found a through ball do Darren Bent who then layed it off back to Gabby, Who against the ageing Salgado obviously fancied his chances. He ran at Salgado dropped left and then cut in on his right embarrassing the once world class defender and then finished it far top corner, Impressive does not do it justice. One of the best goals he has scored out of his now landmark figure of 50 PL goals. So much so that five minutes later he found himself once again in the same position and tried it again. It is great to see him with thar old confidence which hasnt been there for a while.

Junior Hoilett was Blackburns star player in the first half causing the odd problem here and there, But then after 25 minutes Delph found Gabby on the edge of the area who put it across to Heskey and like he did in that game against Germany back in 2001 slotted it into the bottom corner. 2-0 game over?

Heskey had his chance to put it well and truly out of sight just before half time but his control let him down and he gave it straight to the keeper. Then Gabby had a 50 50 ball in the area with Robinson and somehow got done for a foul on the GK in one of the most bizarre free kicks i have ever seen given. Unfortunately though he picked up an injury when Robinson ended up on top of him and could not continue after half time.

The half time whistle blew to a standing ovation around Villa Park.

The second half commenced with gabby being replaced by Albrighton and it looked a little worrying and frustrating to be honest as Blackburn has obviously been given the hair dryer treatment at half time and looked a lot more up for it, Then after 52 minutes the impressive Hoilett fed a cross over onto Pedersons head, bang, 2-1 and a game that should of been out of sight all of a sudden did not look so easy. Off came Luke Young, Warnock moved over to the right and then Clark played LB along with that Heskey also came off and was replaced by young Barry Bannan. And all of a sudden Villa started playing again, There is a reason we call wee Barry the scottish Xavi He was spraying passes all over the pitch, N'zogbia for one seemed to thrive of this and that is one partnership i would love to see blossom this season.

Just after the hour Albrighton had a chance to end the game but his long range effort went inches wide. Just afterwards though on 68 minutes Bannan set up a passage of play which ended up with Petrov about 30 yards out taking a long range shot, It his the defender and then Villas number 9 Mr Bent was there like the predator we knew we had signed for the rebound, No doubt as soon as he got in position where the ball was ending up. As Alan Partridge would say, Back of the Net 3-1 game well and truly over. 

At the full time whistle the to be honest disappointing crowd figure of 32,000 all stood and clapped the team off for a brilliant performance. Yes against a poor team but at the end of the day you can only beat what is put  out in front of you and this attacking villa team certainly did that and how nice was it for all three of our strikers getting a goal each. 

Delph got the official MOTM no one would disagree but all 14 players who took part deserved recognition. Now for Hereford on Tuesday and keepign the momentum going.

VTID