A point at Sheffield is two points lost
Monday, 11 December 06, 11:11 PM · Comments (6)
It's only my opinion but we should have had two in the first half, maybe even three and if we'd taken the chances we would have won. The thing is we didn't create enough chances tonight and that is what has ultimately cost us the three points.
You can say to me that there are no certain three points in the Premiership these days but I'll disagree and tonight we should have had three points.
The first I saw of Steven Davis was when he got subbed. I knew he started but I saw little else of him and if there was confirmation needed that Isiah Osbourne should be starting in front of him, tonight was it. I also couldn't understand why Sutton came off instead of Baros for Angel but I'm not questioning Martin O'Neill as this is only his first season of many.
We scored two goals tonight and Chris Sutton was involved in both and when he came off I knew we wouldn't score again. It has to be difficult to take off the striker that just equalised for you but if a new striker was needed tonight, Sutton should have stayed.
Stuart Taylor did enough tonight, again it's just my opinion, to warrant a first team place when Sorensen is fit again. Unless he has a couple of nightmare matches very soon I'd be happy with him in goal; he was confident coming out for crosses, made some fine saves and can't really be blamed for the goals.
The Sheffield goals were more opportunistic goals and we were unlucky. The upside to the evening was Petrov scored and I hope this is the first of a few more to come.
We moved up to eighth place after the draw but could have gone to fifth. We play Bolton this weekend and if we lose we go five points behind them. If I thought tonight was a must win game Saturday has all of a sudden become vital.
Four points from fifteen isn't what anyone wanted and we are firmly in that slump that Martin O'Neill has been talking about. Let's hope we pull out of it on Saturday against Bolton but also let's not get too concerned.
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6 Comments · Add yours
Overall again you have to praise Villa, memories of last season would have meant we would have capitulated and lost 3 or 4 - 1...but they fought back instantly and it was good to see both Baros and Petrov getting off the mark. Why oh why don't Villa like evening games that are televised on TV?
Sutton HAD to be taken off, in his last touch of the game he looked absolutely shattered and looked like a player who had been out for 3 games, so it was no surprise that he was substituted. Davis was totally anonymous for the second half.
Martin O'Neill had always said that 'Villa will find their level' and I think this is it, he's taken this current bunch of players now as far as he can and he knows what their strengths and weaknesses are, I think he knows more than anyone that we need to get new players in during January to take us to the next level. The real positives have to be that the team is still grinding out results despite the fact that they are in a run of bad form, rather than losing and not picking up any points at all. If we can find a bit of form, then results should begin to go our way, lets not forget Sheffield Utd were on the back of a good run recently and are fairly high in the form guide.
We are now difficult to beat!
A draw is a great result mate!!! sheff u played great in the second half and we the patched up team we had i thought we hung in great. without doubt we would have lost that under o'leary. sutton was wrecked, taylor injured, mellberg getting a knock, bouma going off injured - not to mention sorenson, laursen, barry and samuel all missing. we need to hang in there until mid january and then we can push on and secure a top 8 place.
theres only 1 Martin O'Neill.
Up the Villa!
Last season Villa would have just lain down like a bunch of pussies and been steamrollered. Then after the game the moron would have been trotting out yet more of his pathetic excuses. Obviously Martin needs to strengthen the team but this season they fight for every ball, are very hard to beat, and have put some pride back into the club. That's a good start.
Why was that game a must-win? It was a must-win if we were to sustain our lofty position, beyond all expectations, I agree. But it wasn't a must-win like some West Ham fans must be talking about now.
Have to disagree about creating enough chances. We created enough to win 3 or 4 games. But we concede too many, that's our problem. The defence is praise-worthy, but needs strengthening, starting with Curtis Davies.
Up the Villa!
Martin O'Neill said after the game (and after I posted this) that two pints were lost. Mailan Baros also said that we should be winning these games.
Not only that, when you look at the table at the start of the season you've got to fancy your chances against the teams that get promoted and spend not much money when coming up.
a decent performance and result but in the wider scheme of things i'm disappointed.a villa victory of any kind, whether home or away is becoming a bit of a lottery. surely there have to be matches where we should almost expect a win especially at home? I hope we beat bolton rather than expect us to.