A POINT to prove

Today we had the potential daunting task of a visit to Loftus Road and  the Premier League new boys QPR.  The home team were in a fine run of form in the build up to this game after some decent results recently and a decent transfer window, and certainly dont look like they will struggle this season in their quest for another year of Premier League football.

To the game, and with the sunshine blazing across West London AM announced his team. Without the injured  Darren Bent in the starting line up AM decided to put Gabby upfront on his own with Bannan and Ireland coming in to the midfield.

The first half was an abysmal half of football from the Villa players and the fans that made the journey to London must have wondered why they had spent there hard earned wage on this drivel. Not one player could play more than one pass at a time in any passage of play and we didnt manage a shot on target until the 41st minute. 

However if a neutral had come in at that point the stats made it look like QPR were immense. That however I did not feel was the case apart from one moment of magic from Tarabbt when he took a 35 yard shot and launched it against the far post however it appeared Given did have it covered. Other than that one opportunity, they did not really create much and what they did create lacked the class upfront to take their chances.

And so, we rolled onto the 41st minute and a foul on the edge of QPR area. Up stepped the Scottish Xavi, Barry Bannan, and took the free kick and curled it up and over the wall. It if it wasn't for a fantastic save by Kenny, Villa would of been going into the break, a goal to the good. However it ended 0-0 and I honestly can not remember a half that bad from Villa since the disastrous Monday night game away at Liverpool last season. An improvement was definitely needed in the second half.

And that certainly happened.

A Villa team that showed glimpses of skill and vast improvements on the performances of the first half. Every time we went forward we looked dangerous and then eventually after an hour Stephen Warnock put in a cross which Agbonlahor launched himself to at the far post however was obstructed by Traore. A Yellow card was shown to the defender and once the fans realised that a penalty had been given up stepped Barry Bannan with the ball held firmly to his chest, It was a proper Roy of the Rovers walk up. And not one Villa fan expected him to miss. He placed the ball down and looked so comfortable and then just placed it to the keepers left hand side tucked perfectly just inside the post. You know the type of penalty. When the keeper goes the right way but no matter how far he goes he will never reach that perfectly placed shot.

The last 30 minutes of the game it was back to backs against the wall stuff. But we looked so comfortable. AM made some substitutions replacing my MOTM Bannan to a crowd applause and a once again disappointing CNz for Weimann and Albrighton. 

It was great to see Weimann coming on he has so much potential but was such a shame he did not get to play with Bannan these two could easily be the future of Villa. If we can keep hold of them that is. Bannan has the potential to be a world class player. And i would not be surprised if Arsenal start sniffing around him.

And these sort of things were what us fans were thinking about as we hit stoppage time. After 2 penalty appeals turned down from Michael Oliver from Hutton handballs. We were told that somehow there would be 5 MINUTES of stoppage time. and then in the 93rd minute. A Helguson cross was put into his own net by SKYs MOTM Richard Dunne.

To be honest. a point was probably a fair result overall today and at the beginning of the day we would of taken the point. But we were left a little distraught that we went from 3 to 1 point so deep into stoppage time, as long as that does not become a recurring theme this season like last season when we threw away so many points from leading positions then its not so bad.

Also its always good to hear Warnock on one of his rants post match but the authorities should crack down on him and what he says.

And to all those negative fans. a draw at loftus road is not a bad result. The same way that a draw at Craven Cottage was not a bad result as Man City proved last week, Up next Wigan at home. In my opinion this is a must win game though.

VTID

Is this a crisis?

Last night Villas season hit a low point. Going out 2-0 to a weakened Bolton team at home is not something particularly pleasing for any Villa fan! The worse thing was that we had our best team out their on the park last night minus Darren Bent.

What is the reason for this? The obvious answer of course is to jump on the bandwagon and blame Mcleish. But does it go further than the obvious?

Last night only two players seemed to really want to be there on the pitch Gabby Agbonlahor, again and Barry Bannan. What excuses did the other players have? Do we blame them solely. Of course not, The formation has been brought into question playing a 4-5-1 at home to a weakened Bolton team that had lost their previous four did not scream of going for the win did it. Yes we all know Mcleish is a so called negative manager who would rather a clean sheet than an attacking performance. But the question is how much longer will the core of the villa supporters continue giving him the chances. Game by game the honeymoon period is getting further and further away, Results are needed and fast. But then saying that we have a tricky away game on Sunday against QPR. They themselves are showing good form going into this game and their new signings have hit the ground running. Including the 2 players i would of liked Villa to buy. Barton and SWP.

How much longer do we give AM before the atmosphere gets extremely hostile? And after last night that could be sooner rather than later. Would we rather be playing Barca style of football like your Swansea City style but losing more than you win? I for one would rather the wins by playing not so pretty, As at the end of the season its the league table and cup finals you look at and remember, But still we have a problem that needs to be addressed. We have to score more and more importantly have to look like we might score. I for one do not expect a relegation fight like dome of the fans. I still honestly believe we can get a top 10. But we have to get behind the team and support for the long run, miracles dont exist and we need to build the future at Villa. Success does not happen over night. And if we get rid of AM then we have to start the rebuilding all over again. Just like we did this summer and under Houllier last year we will not progress.

VTID

Carling cup third round preview

Villas quest for our first trophy since 1996 continues tonight.

Our opposition. Bolton wanderers, are giving a run out to their best player from last season. Stuart Holden. But they are not in the best form. Losing their last four games. But that form can be quite misleading as three of those defeats were to liverpool, united and man city. Still i am sure there confidence will be low. Villa need to capitalise on this.

So what team will we put out. I wouldnt be surprised if we put out a strongish team as it could be our best chance of silverware.

With the injuries picked up in the weekends game it could be a good chance to give them players who havent been playing some match time. Herd deserves a game after his motm performance earlier in the season. I would imagine Ireland will get a start too however i do feel he ia running out of chances slowly. Also i can see maybe given being given a rest and guzan getting his usual cup run. The other big chance i believe we could see is the fonz coming in for bent.

My prediction for the game is

Aston Villa 2 - 0 Bolton Wanderers

One day ill get it right

VTID

Another point for the villa. Surprised?

What have we learnt from the weekend about life in the premier league?


1. Apart from the manchester clubs. On their day any team can beat any other.
2. Torres is not worth 50 million
3. Man city do not have a large enough squad (after spending 100s of millions)
4. Birmingham are genuinly looking like not coming back up from the championship
5. And villa keep their unbeaten start to the season and actually climb up in the league to sixth place


What a suprising weekend of football we had. 


All the promoted clubs registering wins and more importabtly for Swansea, their first ever PL goals.
The early kickoff "surprise" of arsenal losing again this time at the hands of bottom of the league blackburn rovers. Sunderlands demolition of certain medias prediction of a top 4 finish the mighty stoke city. From man city throwing away a valuable three points from 2-0 up to draw 2-2 at craven cottage.To United carrying on their impressive start to the season against AVBs chelsea.


However one result we all could predict was an Aston Villa draw. And lo and behold after 90 minutes that was the case once more as both teams left Villa Park with their unbeaten runs in place.


Once again we are looking for the positives from another typical 90 minutes. With the news that Heskey was out who was going to come in. From all quarters the call had been made by fans for Barry Bannan to get a start and in the end AM made the right call and brought in Bannan to give the team a lot more of an attacking looking team.


After 13 minutes it all seemed that things were going to end up well for Villa. As Gabby Agbonlahor  got the ball past collocini and then slotted the ball past Tim Krul to make it 3 goals in 4 games. And more inportantly already matching his goal tally from last season in the league. After the interview he did in the papers on Friday and the lack of confidence he had under GH and GMac as they played him out of position. At least AM is getting the best out of him again and hopefully can get him back in the England fold

Later, it was Darrens Bent turn an unselfish ball from Petrov laid back to Bent and in form he would score 10 out 10 times. But no this was not to be the case. As he tripped over his own feet and put the ball wide.


The second half got underway and N'Zogbia found himself with the ball just outside the area, He passed it to Gabby and he took a shot and hit it marginally wide of the post.


Then, just before the hour mark a ball put in from Tiote for Newcastle found Leon Best he hit it straight at Given who could only manage to push it out straight back into the path of Best who pushed it past Given and made it 1-1


Newcastle used this goal for inspiration and pushed for the winner, But Given was back to his best and was never going to let another in. Even when Cabaye had a long range effort which Given managed to push it past the post leaping like super man.


So another home draw. However we still managed to climb a place after 9 man Liverpool lost heavily to Tottenham.


Next up is Bolton in the cup hopefully we will put out a team comfortable of getting the win and progressing in the tournament,


But things are not looking great with the injury news that came out of the game on Saturday. Our injury list at the moment reads

• Jenas
• Clark
• Warnock
• Petrov
• Bent
• Heskey
• Cueller
• Lichaj

Hopefully if the players with minor injuries are rested this week then they will be fit for next weekend and the away trip to QPR. But looking at it another way if they are not fit we could capitalise on this. Take Bent for example injury or not he is not the same player so far this season. Its time for Gabby to become the main man, he is by far our best player at the moment and has a work ethic on the pitch everyone else should aspire to. You cut him he will bleed claret and blue and in these days of money and success it snice to be able to say that.

VTID

Aston Villa V Newcastle Preview

After the unconvincing draw at the weekend away at Everton. Its time to keep the unbeaten run going and with that welcoming Newcastle United to Villa Park this weekend.

It was announced today that Big Emile Heskey will be out of action for up to three weeks. This in theory could be a blessing in disguise. All season there have been question marks over Heskeys starting place and whether he deserved it and if he did was he really a man for the middle of the park? 

So how do we replace him?

In theory it shouldn't be to hard. Albrighton? Bannan? Jenas?

Personally i would go for a Albrighton start against Newcastle especially as Jenas wont be fit for Saturday. But I would also bring in Bannan and give Delph a break as i feel he looked a little ropey against Everton. And with him and Petrov playing (Petrov wont get dropped) We just don't have that attacking flair. With Bannan in the team he just always wants to get that ball passed forward. We dont't call him the Scottish Xavi for nothing you know. 

All season what we have lacked primarily is width. That is one thing we have become accustomed to over the years at Villa. And we are lacking big holes on our wings at the moment. Its time for Albrighton to come in and prove he is ready and rip Danny Simpson apart and get some balls put in there like the ball he delivered to Agbonlahor for our second goal against Everton. 

There are two other players who need to have a good game too. Darren Bent has not looked at his best this season so far. That could be down to a couple of things. Deliveries and service? Or lack of form? I think the problem lies somewhere in the middle of the two. Hopefully its a blip and will come out of it sooner rather than later.

The other player who needs a good game is Charles N'Zogbia. Since he came into Villa he has looked a shade of the player we signed from Wigan. The player who single handedly kept Wigan up with his performances at the end of last season. With every game that passes he seems to be more and frustrated with himself. He needs a performance and what better time than against his old club Newcastle on Saturday.

One positive from the first few games of the season is that our defense looks a complete different package than what they did last season. Dunne and Collins are almost back to their best that they showed under MON. Then there is the GK Shay Given has to be the best signing of the summer already he has shown what a fantastic GK he is, saving us on countless occasions throughout the games so far this term. 

So for Saturday I would go for a 4-42 or a 4-4-1-1

Given

Hutton     Collins     Dunne     Warnock

N'Zogbia     Petrov    Bannan     Albrighton

      

  Agbonlahor

     Bent    

One thing that is needed from the game Saturday is that we need a performance to get the fans singing in the Holte end and around the ground again. Best way of achieving that? Attacking play.

Another thing that is a must is 3 points. As a fan the win against Blackburn seems far to long ago now. So I would hate to think how it feels for the players. Yes i know its only 2 games. But still. With the run we have coming up in December we need to get those wins in place now as its going to be hard to get anything out of the festive season with our fixtures.

So what of the opposition? Well somehow our opponents are also unbeaten this season on seven points with their two wins coming against Fulham at St James Park and a good away win at their local rivals Sunderland. Along with that have had goalless draws with Arsenal and QPR. Newcastles problems are similar to ours though. Goals. After selling Carroll in January they have not really replaced him and after losing Nolan and Barton in the summer in theory this is a game we need to look at think, we can win it!

MY PREDICTION:

ASTON VILLA 2-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Whats your prediction??????

VTID

Captain Fantastic :)

Say what you like about our Captain Stilyan Petrov but he along with Shay Given certainly dug us out of a hole yesterday in the game against Everton.

Going into the game we were expected to inflict further damage onto the troubled evertonians with no strikers, all the unrest at the club and the 300 man protest about the running of the club. But when the game kicked off a neutral would of thought it was Villa who were the ones with problems behind the scenes.

Villa were expecting to start with both of their new signings, Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas however due to injury Alan Hutton was the only one of the two to take to the field for the game in place of MOTM against Wolves in the last game Chris Herd.

Other than that the injury that kept Bent out of England action in the week was deemed to have be healed and other than the Hutton start  it was as you were from the Wolves game with Heskey once again playing that midfield role which causes much debate amongst fans. Luckily for some though after 20 minutes Heskey pulled up with a hamstring injury and Mcleish had to find a plan B. However at this point Villa were already behind.

The first time we had been behind this season. Following a Leon Osman goal set up by the ever impressive against us, Tim Cahill. Villa were being out played all over the pitch and we didn't seem to have any answers for Evertons barrage on our defensive half. When Heskey went off he was replaced with Barry Bannan, would this be the chance he deserved and that all the villa fans had been calling for all season?

Not for the rest of the first half that's for sure. It was a half that will never want to be replayed by any Villa fan and we very lucky for it to be only 1-0 at the interval. After Everton wasted a couple of great chances and Given was pulling off more vintage saves like he has done all season. Surely the team would get a mouthful of Scottish anger at half time!?

The second half began and Villa looked a little better but not all over the pitch. Darren Bent seems to be lacking something? Match fitness? Wide supply? I'm not sure but its safe to say he is certainly not in top form at the moment. Especially with the form Gabby is in atm too he should be seriously worried about his role as our number one striker.

Everton was still the better team but after an hour out of nowhere Captain Fantastic turned up out of nowhere. Like in every game he plays for Villa he picked the ball up from 30/35 yards out and every Villa fan could be heard muttering "Please Don't..........SHOOT, WHAT A GOAL" He curled in a low shot passed the camouflaged Everton GK Tim Howard and celebrated with a passion I had not seen him in a long long time.

That sense of belief didn't last too long however when 6 minutes later when Delph landed on Jagielka and the ref awarded a penalty Baines smashed in the penalty and made it 2-1.

Then with 5 minutes remaining Albrighton, who had earlier come on for the once again disappointing N'Zogbia curled in an inch perfect ball and Gabby Agbonlahor rose at the far post (in front of Bent) and headed it into the back of the net.

A 2-2 draw was in hindsight a great but undeserved point for the Villa but keeps our unbeaten run going and with Newcastle at home and QPR away our next two games we need to capitalise and get at least 4 points.

VTID

Trip to goodison preview

After what feels an eternity the premier league is back in action this weekend. After the two england internationals english football on the international stage is as uninspired as ever.

After the comfortable away win in bulgaria we had the unconvincing narrow victory over wales. And as we were constantly reminded the england team contained 5 ex villa players. And yes it shows where we could of been in comparison to where we are.

And so to this weekends action. Villa make the trip up to merseyside to face the toffees at goodison park. This fixture normally gives an entertaining end to end fixture but will that be the same this season?

Everyone is saying how bad it is financially at the villa but compared to everton it is nothing.

However what ever trouble we know that Everton come the end of the season will be their in their usual position fighting for the low echelons of European football. The question is though. Why? Is is the manager? Well to be honest I cant think of what else it could be. Moyes certainly has got the best out of the team he has built with the budget he has achieved it on. Which links him and what he has achieved and the task that AM has on his hands at the Villa.

Its a well known fact that RL has done a strip down of our finances to make the club run a lot more financially prudent. We have lost good players due to this is as have Everton, However as it stand at the moment we seem to have lost the better players. Ashley Young is proving once again what a good player he is whether its in an England shirt or the man utd shirt he seems to have rediscovered the form he had at Villa when he was at his best. The question is will villa miss him more or will it be Everton missing Arteta which has greater repercussions on the upcoming season. After the transfer deadline deal that sent him to Arsenal for 10 million pounds Everton fans were coming out and saying they thought is was good business as he was not the same player he was before his injury a couple of years ago.

But its time for both clubs to look at their current squads and build for the future. And what better way than the game on Saturday. Whenever we play Everton it is always an entertaining game from the last minute goal from Ashley Young in the 08/09 season to that great header from Darren Bent last season. There is always something to talk about when the two teams meet.

For Villa its going to be interesting how we approach the game. If the Fulham away game was a sign of the things to come away from home we could be bracing ourselves for a high quality defensive display hoping to nick something on the break. At least our back line will be ready after Dunnes and Given immense showings for the Rep of Ireland mid week against the Russians.

I think it will be a tight game and could come down to a moment of magic from either team. Its time we saw a performance from a certain Charles N'Zogbia, maybe this is the game for him to win over the fans who are questioning him.

Im going to go for a score draw on this one but deep down hope we can nick it and bring home 3 points

MY PREDICTION:
EVERTON 1 -1 ASTON VILLA


VTID

Sky Sports Sources understand.....

So twenty four hours after the transfer window "banged shut" what do we make of the events of the last day and the effect it will have on Aston Villa and our season ahead?

Well first lets look at what actually happened yesterday at Villa.

We all woke up to the many many rumors that were circulating and I like many tried to avoid the rumors. But it was not that easy the first real bit of Villa related gossip was that of Joe Cole. It was announced that he was heading for France to play for french champions Lille then our name was thrown into the mix about taking him on loan. Was this really ever going to happen, personally i couldn't see it and to be honest i was glad when i heard it was not happening and he was still going to France.

By noon all the Villa fans were starting to get worried as there was only 11 hours left till the close of the window? Would our depleted squad be added to???

Then the news came through of our first deal.........................

Enda Stevens!!!!!

Who???

An Irish player from Shamrock Rovers and plays LB or CB however he won't be joining us until January.

The constant link through the day was Spurs RB Alan Hutton. That was one position we did have to strengthen after selling Luke Young to QPR earlier in the month. Yes i know we have youngsters who can play the position but i personally do not feel they are at the adequate standard to play week in week out currently. The question is will Hutton be ready to take over the first team mantle. From the Spurs fans i have spoke to they seem to think we have a good deal with him. He likes to get forward when he can and could provide a good overlap with CNz i just hope that he doesn't expose us at the back to often when he does this.

Just before 11pm last night we had news of confirmation of two Spurs players Joining Villa

The Hutton deal was completed for a fee believed to be in the region of 3-4 million along with that we also completed the loan signing of Jermaine Jenas till the end of the season.

He could be an interesting signing. He certainly has the potential to still make an impact at PL level. But if we give him the chance who will be sacrificed??? You have to think Heskey is the obvious choice. But will AM do that or will he drop Petrov or Delph? There will be uproar if Delph is dropped after his fine start to the season.

Jenas could be a good signing though. And worse comes to worse at least he is depth to the squad just hope it does not limit Barry Bannans playing time as we really don't want to lose him. Can not deal with another Gary Cahill situation

Elsewhere i thought the other two main stories on Transfer deadline day were the Everton and Stoke stories.

Starting with Everton. They kept hold of Jagielka yes but due to their debts had their hands tied when Arsenal came in for Arteta. Along with selling him they also sold Yakubu to Blackburn and Beckford To Leicester. Which leaves them with as far as i know. One recognized striker, Injury prone Louis Saha.
Also Stoke tried their lucky with a cheeky bid for Tim Cahill to go along with their signings of Peter Crouch. Who will be in his element with the Delap throw. But i think their best signing was that of Palacios for 8 million, I really rate him and would Villa to have made a bid for him.

My Best Transfer day signing though was for me Dann to Blackburn Rovers, a major coup for Rovers but i don't think it will be enough to keep them up.

I think Villa fans should be fairly happy with the our dealings in the transfer window. Given, N'zogbia, Stevens, Hutton and Jenas. I know we are not signing the players that some fans want us to sign. But however with our financial situation and the much talked about 'wage bill' i think they are decent signings and i cant see why we shouldn't be in the top 8 come the end of the season and then build from there with a better wage structure when the FFP comes into play

My final thing to say is Good luck to all the Villa Players away on International duty, I hope they all get a game, play well but the main thing is, keep fit for the Everton game when the PL season recommences.

VTID

Wolves reviewed

So. We all got up early and made our way to VP for the closest to a derby we really get this season in the league.

The atmosphere in the pub beforehand was a wary one. But we were all hoping that would blow over before kick off. Upon arriving at the ground we hear the news that the expected change of young for lichaj is a non starter and that AM had decided to go for the young aussy Chris Herd. Hhhhmm how would he come with i must admit we were all a little dubious.


Kick off approached and we took our seats in the holte. The sea of empty seats in front of us and around the ground was not nice to see but due to a number of circumstances could be somehow accounted for. Bank holiday? early kick off? Game on sky? high ticket prices? the "AM factor" ??
Whatever the actual reason it was not nice to see and as we were to find out it was our lowest attendance in the league since the beginning of the MON days and a home game against bolton.

The game kicked off in what must be said was an extremely subdued atmosphere pockets of fans trying to start the atmosphere building but to no success. The closest we came to a goal in the first half was when gabby ripped stearman apart on the wing put a ball across. Heskey was there. Fell over but managed to just miss the target of the goal on his way down as the ball whistled past the post. The main talking point of the first half was the moment young chris herd went in for a ball and flew himself square on with the oppositions post. With a sickening bang he fell to the floor. How he didnt come off with concussion is beyond me. As someone mentioned on twitter that day the aussies sure do make them strong.

The other highlight was towards the end of the half when our "trequartista" richard dunne dinked a chipped ball on the edge of the area. Class.
The whistle blew and the team went into no doubt a stern talking to from the gaffer.

The second half began and villa came out a different team they had upped the pace and we looked so.much more threatening but lacked the magic touch to produce that moment that would seperate the two teams but unfortunately that never came. And it finished as what they call a bore-draw.

Least it was not a defeat this season though. And was great to see Herd looking like becoming a great player for us. He was so solid and was always happy to stick his head in. Even after the incident with the post. Now we take a break for the international window and hopefully we can come back for that at goodison park and get a result against everton.
And to all the negative fans. It could be worse i 8-2 think what it must feel like to be an arsenal fan ;)

VTID

Young for youth?

So today it was announced that Luke Young is in talks with QPR, After Barton became QPRs newest signing they have turned their attentions to their defense which conceded 4 against Bolton on the opening day of the season. Luke Young will do a job for QPR that is for sure just like he has done at VP over the last few years, But at his age and with the wage he is on with only a year left on his contract doesn't it make sense that we get a good deal for him.

The question is though where do we go from here?

With the sell to buy policy taking place at Villa does this mean that AM has a transfer in the pipeline, possibly for Spurs Alan Hutton, who AM worked with in his Rangers days. He is a decent player but from what i have heard  he likes to get forward a lot and it worries me that will leave us vulnerable at the back.

But what are the other options?

Well we got the squad players who can do a job. Beye? Or as AM did last week move Warnock across and play Clark at LB, I for one hopes he gives Lichaj the chance after his solid performance mid week in the cup. This could be his chance to shine and could really step up to the plate. But is the pressure cooker of a derby the right place to experiment? Unfortunately we don't really have a choice do we.

But here is to Villa giving the youth a chance!!!

VTID