PMP: New head for Gabby but a performance to be proud of and Carew gives us hope
Thursday, 19 February 09, 02:11 AM · Comments (102)
I think I would be more worried going to Moscow next week had we won 2-0 or drew 0-0 and I think Martin O'Neill will maybe be happy with this result too, certainly after the second half display, as he'll have an easy job of getting the lads up for this and it's pretty clear what we need to do.
Our away form also isn't a fluke and whatever the manager and his team are doing is clearly working, so as long as they carry that through to a freezing Moscow, we stand every chance.
The Papers
Janine Self, The Sun: "The big Norwegian has since turned into a cult hero, with his ready smile and a knack for a vital goal. And last night he popped up with the 68th-minute equaliser, the least Villa deserved for a barn-storming display."
Peter Lansley, The Times: "Villa, with the best away record in the Barclays Premier League, have lost only once on their five European trips this season but CSKA Moscow, fresh from their winter break, are classy opponents and the outcome of the tie hangs in the balance."
Phil Shaw, The Independent: "Villa Park revelled in the atmosphere of a big European night, especially after John Carew cancelled out a high-class goal by the exquisitely named Wagner Love. Yet Aston Villa will need to summon the form that has built the best away record in the Premier League if they are to eliminate CSKA Moscow from the Uefa Cup’s round of 32 on the Luzhniki Stadium’s synthetic surface a week tonight."
Stuart James, The Guardian: "Villa looked jaded during the FA Cup exit at Goodison Park on Sunday and for periods in the opening 45 minutes this looked like being another flat performance. Indeed, it was not until the second half, when the effervescent Ashley Young began to torment the visitors' defence with his sinuous runs and dangerous deliveries on the left flank, that Villa carried a genuine threat and began to unnerve an impressive and well-organised CSKA side."
Player Ratings
As is becoming the rule, because I'm fed up of all the stick I get if someone doesn't agree with me scoring someone poorly, here are the player ratings. This time they're from Simeon, although I did want to use from Nan Was A Fan, because his were so simple, these ones were just more complete and meant less work for me. They're also difficult not to agree with.
The Brad Junior: 6 - Looked pretty decent - though he needs to work on his right foot. Thought he could have done a bit more for their goal.
Luke Young: 8 - Very good game. Made some great strong challenges, supported Gardner down the right well, and should never have been booked.
Nick Shorey: 7 - Was decent, especially given he's not played a great deal recently. Also showed that he should be physically strong enough for the Premier League.
Curtis Davies: 7.5 - Made some timely interceptions, and generally looked like a solid, no-nonsense centre back.
Zat Knight: 7 - Not quite as assured as Davies, but did a job.
Craig Gardner: 7.5 - Passed the ball well and tackled cleanly and strongly. Clearly a central player, but did a good job on the right.
Stiliyan Petrov: 8 - Did the same as Gardner but from a central position. The best I've seen him play all season.
Gareth Barry: 7 - His passing wasn't as tidy as usual, but the touch, intelligence and vision were most apparent. Supported the attack well, could have had a goal, but didn't neglect his defensive duties.
Ashley Young: 8 - Was always dangerous with his pace, trickery and delivery, and of course worked his socks off. That '8' could have been a '9' or more had we got the goals we nearly did.
John Carew: 7 - Got the goal, but still not quite in peak condition physically, and a little rusty technically.
Gabby Agbonlahor: 7.5 - General play was outstanding; stretched the defence with his pace, beat players on the ground and in the air, and distributed well with both foot and head. That '7.5' could have been a 10, but the goals didn't quite materialise.
Disagree with those? I don't and my man of the match is Stilyan Petrov. He had a very decent first half and in the second he sat back and gave space to the players that needed it to create those chances. If we play like we played in the second half against Chelsea this weekend and they play with two up front, we'll beat them.
Final Analysis
Nobody can be disappointed with how we played in that second half and while it reminded me of Wigan a little, it was better than Wigan and a good sign.
However, next week is a tall order and it's going to be difficult, not least becasue of the temperature and the plastic pitch, but they'll know how important it is to not concede and score, it's going to take a special European night to get through, but CSKA Moscow are, for me anyway, one of the top five teams left in this competition and we stood up well.
The goal from Carew basically gave us what was justified but the head of Gabby took away what some might think we deserved and that is twice in two games where he really should have put the ball in the net with his head. I see some heading work done in training over the next few days for him.
So, not the result we wanted but a performance that has to give us a bit of confidence going into the away leg and most definitely a performance that you have to be happy with.
Now, I'm off for some breakfast but I'll be announcing some winners later for the Paul McGrath t-shirts and don't forget Paul Birch Day this Saturday at Villa Park.
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102 Comments · Add yours
more of the same against chelsea - 2nd half wise. thort 1st half we were flat. i stil think the players had this sat on their mind in the first 45 mins. cant wait. so nervous.
we can win in moscow. gabby unsettled the defence wit his pace and he competed well wit them physically
I thought it was a very decent performance. I have to say though, I thought Gardner was terrible. If we had had the same sort of deliveries coming from the right (where most of the play was)as we had on the left I think we would have won. Barry was again immense, we must keep him. Special note for Guzan aswell, other than a slightly dodgy right foot he looks like a key player for the future.
Reply to Sean Ridpath:
Which game did you see ?
Gardner played very well especially considering he was playing out of position.
Zat Knight 7? I must have been watching a different game. I would have given him a 4. He was terrible all night. Was at fault for the goal and he is diving in all the time leaving us wide open after he misses his tackles. Also Carew other then the goal was brutal. I would give Petrov a 9. Best game in a villa shirt and Young and Barry looked very good when we manged to get the ball to them. Some good aspects to the game but some really worring one's also, none more so then the 2 centre backs. Davies doen't inspire me that much either. Next up is Drogba and Anelka wh will be out to impress their new manager. Im worried. Really worried about how Knight will cope.
"I think I would be more worried going to Moscow next week had we won 2-0 or drew 0-0 and I think Martin O'Neill will maybe be happy with this result too, certainly after the second half display, as he'll have an easy job of getting the lads up for this and it's pretty clear what we need to do."
That doesn't make any sense whatsoever Damian, and I can guarantee you O'Neill would not prefer this result to those two. They have an away goal now, all they need to do at home is keep a clean sheet and they're through. How is that good for us at all? How is 1-1 anywhere near as good as winning 2-0 for crying out loud?! Even 0-0 would have been a better result.
Having seen at 1st hand MON's run to UEFA Cup Final in 2003 this is not a bad result for youse. On that run Celtic scored in every away venue they went to.
MON knows how to play the away game in a knockout situation.
Can we have him back?
We struggled at times but who doesn't when you're missing 3 or 4 key players ?. I'd like to see shorey get more playing time as i thought he was quite good last night. Also MON sign Vagner Love!
Jeff Villa
First time visitor Jeff? My suggestion is, if we were to go there with a two goal lead, we might take our eye of the ball. At 1-1 the job we have is very clear, in fact going into the game every player will know exactly exactly what to do and what is at stake.
It's not the best result and the same could be said if we were 2-0 up, but I fancy that if we were 2-0 Martin O'Neill might rest a few or start a few of our more 'influential' players from the bench.
At 1-1 we have no alternative but to go out and play the way we did in the second half last night. We can't sit back and protect anything and hope for a lucky break, becasue there is nothing to protect.
All I'm saying is, we now know how he will be going out, becasue we actually have to score and we have to play like we did in the second half.
Not everything is supposed to make sense.
I went to the game last night.First game I've been to in a couple of seasons due to kids being at the age where they're playing all over the weekend and just no time to travel up to the ground.
I thought Moscow looked a good side and the goal they scored was quality and made us look stupid and certainly showed how slow our centre halves are. The blond right winger could piss all over Shorey all night long, fortunately his team mates didn't use him too much and they chose to attack down their left and I thought Luke Young and Gardner did very well.
For me, I thought Gabby was not that special. He doesn't need to stand in offside positions with the pace he has and whilst Ashley Young put in some good crosses, I didn't think he did as much as he's done in other matches. Towards the end of the game, he looked as though he was carrying an injury unless he was fucked. I was pleased at the result though and glad we got the goal in the end.
Heard a few chants that I've not heard and liked the John Carew one although I substituted the 2nd and 3rd lines with "loves women like me and you, he's gonna shag one or two".
Great night at the Villa all in all and a good turn out with 38,000 enjoying the night. Bring on Chelsea.
In answer to Kevin LoTW - not in a milion years mate, he is ours for keeps!!
Good overall display last night, thought Petrov was awesome, JC still on the comeback trail and a goal to do his confidence the world of good. Disgaree with the coments on Gardner, he is 110% for effort, he only lacked in the crossing, but that isn't his preferred position so let him off.
Gabby, oh Gabby, as much as we love you, you could have put this tie to bed, think The Fonz should start next week, e is totally unknown to them and think he can do the same job. Bring on Chelsea, Gabby hat-trick and all will be forgiven!!
I think Zat is getting unfair stick again. He was the best Centre back last night.
Didn't anyone notice that Davies played like a pub player again?? Sometimes he looked like a donkey. I know he isn't because I rate him and for most of the season he's been very good..... but it looks like he's lost some confidence. His distribution has always been shockin though.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Chris i would watch the game again if you think Knight played well. He was brutal and if it wasn't for Luke Young and Davies getting back a few times they would have scored 2 more goals. He keeps diving in, getting nut megged and his striker is getting a clean run on goal. I would say that Davies as supurb either. His passing is dreadful and is the major contributor along with Znight to the hopeless bling punts up the field. We came into that game last night when we decided to get the ball down and play some football.
Can't disagree with anything you said Damian. I even know where you're coming from with your comments about the score line. Saying a 2.0 win might have been worse than 1.1 may be stretching it a bit, but I can certainly see how we'd have been worse off next week with a 1.0 win under our belts. CSKA may now be slightly complacent and be tempted to sit back and defend their away goal, and I just don't see them holding us out for a whole match. In contrast, we will know that we have to go out and fight hard for the win. Kevin's observations were interesting and let's hope for more of the same from Villa. Oh...and to those who wondered if they should have gone last night...if you could afford it, then yes you should. It was a great night and somehow these European games really do have an extra and different edge to them. Here's looking forward to plenty more in the future!
Gotta disagree with the ratings:
Gareth Barry: 7 - His passing wasn't as tidy as usual, but the touch, intelligence and vision were most apparent. Supported the attack well, could have had a goal, but didn't neglect his defensive duties.
Barry gave 1 sloppy bad pass in the second half but apart from that he was inspirational and was correctly given man of the match on the night although Petrov wasn't far behind and Gabby worked his socks off.
Shorey and Knight played ok but Barry was fantastic so to rate them all as a 7 is laughable, especially when Gardner got a 7.5. Not having a go at Gardner in the slightest - he grafted his socks off but Barry was everywhere and without his leadership and technique we would have lost this game.
Big John was lucky their keeper had a mare for the goal because the rest of his performance was very average - I hope his good form returns quickly.
I fancy us for the second leg, we created plenty of chances in this game and it wouldn't have been unjust if we had scored another couple. With Emile and Jimmy back too we should have too much for them.
Which idiot decided on a 7pm kick-off on a week night?!?!?! Despite leaving work at 17:30 I didn't get into the ground til 10 minutes after kick-off. I heard a rumour the early kick-off was due to Channel 5 not wanting to move Minder from it's 9pm slot! Anyone know if thats true? If it is then f**k you Channel 5 and f**k you Shane Richie!!!!!!!!
Here's hoping Chelsea cop it Saturday - UTV!
The solution to Gabby's heading problem is that he should grow some hair. That Fellaini dude puts them away with consumate ease..!
15. __AA__ Wrote: | 10.00GMT | Feb 19, 2009
The solution to Gabby's heading problem is that he should grow some hair. That Fellaini dude puts them away with consumate ease..!
Ha ha ha like it. Who needs Gabby - lets just sign Brian May then!!!
Ha ha love the last paragraph!
Did anyone see the woman with the red coat and black hat interviewing people outside the Doug Ellis stand before the game?
It looked like Louise Redknapp but I wouldn't of thought she would be working for channel 5??
Reply to ak_27:
Sorry AK, I thought Knight played well. If it wasn't for two last ditch challenges by him we would have been looking at a much bigger loss. Co Yeah, he's got his short-comings we all know that but I think he's done well in the last 4 or 5 matches. If anyone was at fault for the goal (and this is being harsh) it was Luke Young, he allowed Love to get goal side.
In the second half it seemed like Gabby was running into the channels more, which allowed Young to cut in and either shoot or put in good crosses. I think this is why we were better in the second half than the first.
I heard that Moyes was at the game to watch Wagner Love. Any of you guys think he could be the creative player we're missing?
Damian: Spot on, MON teams have a habit of sitting very very deep if they are hanging on to something. This happened in CL away games with Celtic and cost us.
1874AVFC: Just thought I would ask....
Glad Stan Petrov is playing well for youse. Decent player and we have never replaced him. I think, at the last count, we have tried 127 players to fill his boots.
is it me or is the team getting a bit over confident - i don't like the 'a draw doesn't matter we will win in moscow' attitude - we should have won last night and the tie would have been put to bed. if we would have gone 2-1 up they would have fallen apart. i feel like the attitude is starting to slip.
Reply to odysseynumberfive:
I think he could be the finisher we are missing. Thats all we need now as we already create so many chances. Thats the difference between us and teams like Utd (Rooney, Berbatov), Liverpool (Torres) and Chelsea (Anelka, Drogba), they all have players you bank on to score, we don't no matter how much we like Carew and Gabby.
Reply to KG2008:
Zat Knight needlessly threw himself at the ball when their was no danger and took himself out of the game (same as did away to Gillingham when they scored) which lead to the goal. He is not good enough for any team in the top 8. Im do like the fact he gives everything but the reality is he just makes bad decisions and at this level you get punished for every mistake.
What a great performance! I though Ashley was magnificent, how he zips in those devastating crosses with EITHER foot is something only Beckham could dream of!
And for all the stick Gardner gets, I thought he was superb last night. The lad's not a right winger but put in a brilliant display, he shoots well and rallied the team all game- brilliant Mr Gardner.
If Carew and Gabby had took their chances (or if we had a prolific striker) the game would be safe.
But, ultimately, I think the 1-1 going to Moscow essentially means we're dead. It's a bizarre pitch, its about minus 5000 degrees and a hostile crowd. I can see us scoring, but they'll get a couple or more too i think
Still, I'm delighted with the performance.
Bring on Chelsea
i know zat gets turned to easy and lacks pace and sometimes makes mistakes but he has impressed me as our 4th choice centre back. Villa have never had strength in depth and he has done a pretty good job since being called on. who do u guys think we are going to get as a 4th choice centre back? terry - ferdinand?
Reply to the special economist:
He wasn't bought as our 4th choice centre back though was he? He has been pushed down the pecking order by his own performances. But to answer your question Gary Cahill would have been a better 4th choice centre back.
I thought 2nd half especially was the best we have played for a long time, Petrov at times looked incredible powering through the middle going past 2-3 people, I get the feeling he could be a really good attacking midfielder and score alot if he was given the chance. Him and Barry looked REALLY alert and up for it, and we should have won.
What annoys me is why certain players dont play like that more often.
If we play like that against Chelsea we have every chance of beating them.
DOES ANYONE ELSE FIND THE COMMENTS BY PETROV ABOUT LEAVING IF BARRY LEAVES V V WORRYING ??
Remember the bad old days (84?)when i travelled away with the villa to luton town. They were a very poor team but played all home games on astro-turf. Tony Elliot was a budding centre half destined for England but even he could not judge the bounce of the ball. It was pathetic and none of the villa players looked comfertable. Now i don't know if villa train on this type of surface, but for sure its a disadvantage and by yesterdays game may be the difference between us progressing. Still we live in hope
Reply to ak_27:
I agree that he throws himself in at times and in an ideal situation he wouldn't be in the team. However, we are not in an ideal situation and with Laursen injured and Cuellar not quite settled yet (even though I firmly believe that he will come good like Petrov) Knight has done a job to get us through, we've only lost one game with him there. As I say he did ok last night, I just think your rating of 4 is harsh, thats all.
These Zat Knight debates bore me. Lets agree to disagree.
villarobin
re. comments made by petrov. i dont actually think he has said that ..
Villarobin- I agree, i was slightly bemused by Petrov's comments. Where does he think he might move if Barry doesn't sign? (As good as Petrov's been, I don't see any of the other Top 4 bidding for him). Perhaps he's been misquoted. Or perhaps he's trying to crank up the pressure on Villa to ensure they offer Barry a deal he cant refuse?
Symbas- I remember that plastic pitch (in fact my 1st ever football match was at Kenilworth Road when they played Liverpool). I hope things in Moscow are better than that- I imagine it'll be like the 3G stuff i play on with my mates. However good it is though, it's not grass and we will struggle, plus the weather will be a killer! Gloves all round
Things I liked.
1. Gardner improved performance. Especially rousing his team mates and the crowd during the second half onslaught.
2. Petrov reading the game and intercepting short midfield passes.
Things that worried me.
1. Got to agree with Ak, Knight was the weaker of the two CB's last night. Everything is last ditch, which means when he makes it, it looks like a heroic tackle and when he misses, they score. Get in the right bloody place.
2. With Petrov on fire and Barry's ability, why do we so often play the ball from midfield to one of the CB's to punt up to Gabby/Carew. Surely Petrov and Barry have the ability to play an 'exquisite punt' better than Knight and Curtis.
Damian, I agree with where you're coming from on the 1-1 result. I think we all saw enough last night to feel we can get a result over there. Their full backs will be terrorised. Milner back?
I watched the match after work last night. The first half Carew was dropping deep and wide to collect the ball and was rarely on the last defenders shoulder. In the second half Carew played as the main striker and Gabby was drifting wide and running at players. That is why we looked more of a threat.
I think that perforamnce wise Knight played better than Davies, Gardner did an excellent jod wide right to stretch the play and Asley Young needs to practice his set pieces a bit more.
A special thanks to all the Villa supporters who got off my train going to the game with smiles on their faces and lokking excited. With me missing the match and working til 11.15pm, your obviuous pleasure made me feel so much worse. Bastards!
If that's how Petrov thinks then good bye Petrov, putting it simple he's there for money he'll see what Barry get's offered & want the same or he's pissing off to a lower positioned team. Barry will stay in my opinion if the Robbie Keane situation is anything to go by it proves the grass isn't always greener.
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
I thought it was Petrov's finest game for Villa so far. Barry looked a different class as well when he got on the ball. We really only came into the game when we decided to get the ball down and pass it. Hopefully that goal will kick start Carew again. I wonder will MON take a chance on Heskey or stick with Carew?
Really proud of the team today - Petrov, Barry and Young were all top class last night. Bit miffed at the reaction of some of the crowd at times last night. Far too many moans and boos in the holte - a typical 'cup crowd' IMO... very impatient. Get behind the lads or don't bother coming. Right i will get off my soap box now!!
Reply to keefvilla:
ha ha sorry to laugh but I love how you put it plain and simple. I have to say a special thanks to you for turning up on time (8:57pm train) so that I got back home nice n early!
Chris
Wasn't me mate I was taking the Dingles home by then. Was suprised how many Villa fans live in Wolverhampton, Coseley, Tipton area. Bloody loads.
Reply to ak_27:
cahill didnt want to be fourth choice,thats why he was unsettled,so that answers that statment
I played on that Luton pitch against Luton College. One of our lads broke his leg and when we went to see him in the hospital they treated 6 more of us for the burns on our legs.
Needless to say we were unfamiliar with the styleof play needed on plastic. Hope Villa have more idea.
They are MUCH more realistic in terms of performance now than they were. Besides if it was grass at -500 degrees the bounce would be pretty tricky anyway. At least we've got some great headers of the ball like Gabby, Curtis......oh God we're going out.
Reply to keefvilla:
Surprising really. Must be due to people moving to those areas for their job/career I would imagine, as Wolves and West Brom have a good fan base as well.
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
Playing on artificial grass is a total different ball game. I play on it 7 a side and the pace of the game doubles. It will be tricky but they're pros, they will cope no problem!
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
At the time Knight was been picked to play ahead of Cahill. We didn't have Cullar so he wasn't 4th choice.
Reply to ak_27:
ok so he didnt want to be third choice
Not in the 7 a side games I play Chris. These games are real slow. We spend most of the time going to fetch the ball from the other side of the astro after a team mate makes the mistake of passing the ball 10cm in front of the man. Or fetching it from the car park after some Zat Knight wanna be has hoofed it there to get a breather.
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
We had Laursen, Mellberg, Cahill and Ridgewell at the start of August 2007. Ridgewell was sold to Small Heath and Knight and Davies signed later that month. Mellberg was being played at right back but Cahill had become effectively 5th choice centre half by the time he moved to Bolton in January 2008.
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
Sound just like the luton game back in 84
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
ha ha that is true sometimes but our league is pretty competitive so they are fast paced
Oh my god....have you seen the article about the villa fans who were arrested at the Blackburn game? One is banned for 3 years for pulling a mooney!
LINK
how can u praise shorey? he is so shite.
_AA_ I think you should go back into the Chelsea forum, equipt with the following link....
LINK
"John Carew: 7 ..." - you've got to be kidding! Since the strip-club incident his attitude has stunk the place out. It's not his rusti-ness that's the problem, it's the poor work-rate, and lack of intelligent touch to open things up for those around him to prosper. Holding the ball up and passing it back 10 yards isn't going worry anyone (Gabby's vision of the sideways pass pass forward to run into, wipes the floor with Carew). His mis-hit goal was the only thing he did of a positive note. If anything the header he put over was a worse miss than any of Gabby's recent ones. I'd sooner we played Gabby with Ashley up top when Heskey's not fit, and pull Barry to the left of mid, and back-fill Barry with Gardner.
It's not that Carew is a bad player, I really rated him and was thrilled he came to Villa, but let's be fair, he has been a flop, and terrorised NO team in the Premier League, and when we play those around us at the top, who the hell would have him over their own strikers? Can you really think of him as a player to push the Villa on?
equipped*
I was at that pub before the blackburn game and I must say alot of the Villa fans that day were disgraceful. I did post on here straight after the game and I didnt get any response. Some of you must have seen those poor horses getting a battering by those idiotic villa fans throwing bottles at them. It felt embarrasses to be a villa fan that day.
On the bright side i've never seen any trouble like that on my travels before!
Confident we can do Moscow, even on astro turf.
Reply to Jim:
Yes...
Hi Chrissy
I bet you are well equipped. Would you like to meet me after work for some adult fun? Bet you would.
Send me a photo of you sucking on a rampant rabbit to get me going.
See you soon sexy xxxxxxxxxx
At one point I saw Carew mouthing 'f-ing useless' after he'd failed to get his head on a cross. was he talking to himself or commenting on the supply?
Reply to Villa_Chris:
I wonder what would happen to Chelsea if they were to fail to get champions league football this season? The way Roman's wealth is decreasing every day they would in my opinion be in major trouble. Thats why if we are to finish in the top 4 this season i would love to see it happen at the expense of Chelsea. Could be a fatal blow for them. Arsenal would also be hurt if they didn't get champions league but they would recover.
Reply to ronvilla:
They were throwing bottles at the police horses? deserve evrythin they get then.
I disagree lads, when in form Carew can be a real handful. I think hes just one of those players who needs a little time after injuries. Shame Heskey got injured so soon Mr. Cappello!!
Reply to emma:
ha ha you've got my heart racing!
Nice one Keef!
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
He was driving me mad for the last 25 mins of the game. He was coming back into mid looking for the ball and then passing it out wide and making no attempt to get into the box to be on the end of the crosses. He is our main treat in the box so it is pointless of him to doing that.
Reply to ak_27:
I think Arsenal would be in very bad financial trouble if they don't qualify for the CL. The apartments they built on the site of the old Highbury have not sold and they are losing money quickly. They need to sell them to pay for the new ground and losing out on CL could mean players like Fabregas needing to be sold. The interest charges on the new ground are crippling them!
Emma, what time do you finsih work?
Yep, at the horses and one hit a bouncer and smashed the pub window. Thats when I decided it was prob wise to leave for the ground.
However Blackburn allowing 6000 villa fans to travel up in the first place as got to be asking for trouble!
finish
Sorry, it's hard to type with this bloody rabbit thing in my mouth.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
How you know that was me?
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
Ha ha ha ha
Reply to VillaMitch:
In retrospect, giving Barry a 7 might have been a little harsh, although I stand by the statement that his passing wasn't up to its normal standard. The crucial thing was the difference his presence made to the team. As I said, he improves other players with the classy work he puts in, keeping play going and, in an oftewn understated way, orchestrating the play. I'm one of Barry's biggest fans (as regular readers of this blog will know), and he is our most important player - as evidenced by last night's game. Leadership and technique are two highly appropriate words to apply to Barry.
By the way, thanks Damian for using my ratings. A pleasure and a privilege - and yes, I'd have had Petrov as MOTM too.
Reply to keefvilla:
Thats good to hear. But i guess at least they have some young fantastic talent that would get big big money like Fabregas. Chelsea's team is ageing and i don't see them getting too much money for the likes of Ballack, Drogba and Deco if they had to sell on a few players. I really think Chelsea's days are numbered. Roman just doesn't seem to want to put anymore money in.
Reply to ak_27:
Ok I've an idea, Everton finish 4th and Chelsea and Arsenal both go out of business
the holte end was dead in the first half yesterday bu when we stated to get behind the boys we were all ova them cum on holte enders get behind them
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
completely agree.we never really seem to work the ball through the middle with barry n petrov. it always gets played to knight or the awful shorey and gets lumped foreward.and gabby can't head the ball so its as good as lost.
also, has anyone else noticed how when we have corners now, all our players stand inside the 6 yard box for some reason, i would much prefer them to attack it.
Still, good result and i think we exposed CSKA as a solid side, but no better than that. 0-2 away.
UTV!!!!
Reply to keefvilla:
Sounds good to me. It would be just what football needs to shake things up.
Was it mark bosnich or dwight yorke that said they preferred GRASS? However, i know Merson preferred to stick to the white line
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
ha ha ha love it!
Reply to SYMBAS:
shame on you! Merson is a legend!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
You gatta have a larf, legends and all, Bosnick is a legend (well tranmere & milan games he was) but id still take the piss for those womens cloathes and dumping porn video's with Yorke. Shit even Carew recently got stick and who knows what well be sayin about him in ten years. No a sense of humour is paramount, and the blue rabbit agrees
well i think he does? keeps nodding his head
Reply to ak_27:
ak_27,
Davies can not play too aggresively last night due to his injury.
The task was performed by Knight admirably.
Reply to ak_27:
I have to agree with your posting above.
What i like better will be for Chelsea and Arsenal out, replaced by Villa + Everton.
I wonder what kind of excuse bloody Wenger will give.
Reply to ak_27:
WTF...Knight was better than Davies last night.....at least knight actually won the headers unlike Davies who just let love win them and then run with it
Reply to keefvilla:
thank you keef about knight playin better than davies
Knight was head and shoulders above Davies last night. The Moscow goal came from some really sharp passing, sometimes quality will unlock a defence without it being having to be someone's fault.
For me, Knight has been one of the revelations of the season, and i really thought we'd seen the last of the knockers who jump on the slightest error without giving recognition to the vital tackles and headers he's been making constantly.
Here's a leftfield/Seven-degrees-of-separation observation of an item in todays press...
Sir Chewsalot of Manure has said today that Chelsea's title challenge is over/dead/defunct/nadder/zip/gone. Why would he do that? Look at the table and who is closer to Manure - Villa or Chelsea? Shouldn't he therefore be more worried about Villa? Well here's my theory - SAF doesn't want to come out and says Villa still have a chance in the title race. The Villa team, on a roll, thriving on confidence and holding their own at the top of the table, would have their fires stoked further by such a comment, knowing that we might have Man Utd just a little anxious. So instead he does the thing that The Spanish Waiter would never think of doing, he doesn't big up his opposition with a "i'm worried" comment, but instead tries to fire up the lesser of the two challengers. A comment like that is aimed at riling Chelsea into a response. And who benefits most from a Chelsea response and win, not Villa, but Man Utd. So well done Sir Red Nose, you'd thought you'd got away with it. But I hope that you're little scheme back fires, that we can take the comment as we have done all season, as one of the so-called big four dismissing anyone else's chances of breaking the monopoly, that we continue to thrive in our underdog status, sneak under your radars and put one over on Chelski and make sure that when Manure look over their shoulders, its not just the Scousers that they keep an eye on, but MON's young guns. COME ON! UTV!
1st time user after watching agbolaor last night i wondnt have in the team again he cant head a ball no 1st touch hes crap any other striker would have trebled his goal tally thank god 4 carew agbolahor is a athlete not a footballer come on martin get rid of him get a decent striker in like doyle who can compliment carew and and heskey love always villa old boys jimmy and ade
Reply to Scrumpy:
You know what i was thinking the exact same thing myself when i heard Fergie's comments. He is the master of mind games and like you said it would probably suit him more to have Chelsea win then us.
we need to teach gabby how to head the ball
all jokes aside he did miss a sitter! but as per usual he was outstanding though!
Reply to ak_27:
totaly agree with you and think Cahill should not have been sold, Knight is not half the player Cahill is and i dont think he would have been that much down the playing list.
great blog of a great blogger with a lot of user.
Congratulations.
LINK
I wrote the articles about Spain-England 2-0
(in English)
you can read it, and comment it
For reading in the best way it you'll must use the link that i
give you about the home page of the blog because the specif link make see the article with the Advertising that disturbs the reading.
I have already asked how to solve this problem.
I look
forward to your comment under my article.
Bye and thank you.
Here there is my news in italian about the Uefa’s
Cup match of yesterday. Thanks in advance to
All people that can vote it also if it is in Italian
With a press on the green arrow
LINK
Reply to Jim:
Jim your off your head mate, Carew is one of the best strikers we've had in years, yes he has his off days and is'nt very good with his fitness but he plays much more games than someone like Dean Ashton or Mark Viduka and the only one that comes anywere near is JP-Angle, plus his goal was'nt miss hit cos the keeper thorght he was going for the near post and jumped too far the wrong way and could only clip it with his foot, i think he is going to be one of the striker's to push us on to the next stage and win us some silver.
UP THE VILLA
if you have photo of the match where
there is also the goalkeeper of Cska
please you'll load it in ole ole.
I really love to can have them.
Thanks,
bye
Reply to ak_27:
he didn't want to stay as 4th choice. I would love him to still be at club but he wanted 1st team football.
Have to say L, Young deserved his card but with the way the ref handled other free kicks and incidents Luke shouldnt have been booked. The Moscow defender (what ever his name in the 2nd half made 2 rash challenges in successive minutes in the game he should ( i remember Petrov being body checked, aka 2nd incident).
Villa should have won that game 2 hand balls in the box! Plus i like the look of Vagner Love strong, and would suit a Villa team.
I dont get your comment about you would of rathered a draw over a 2 nil win ... makes them have to score 3 times or a pen shoot out? (is it?)
Reply to ronvilla:
Agreed, who was the last Villa Striker with as good a goal to game ratio? I would guess Yorke - but maybe not even him
Reply to jimmytheshark:
Yeah lets drop our top scorer, that should make CL Football a certainty
Ah great shakhter beat spurs. i honetly think that despite all the big named teams in the competition that shakhter are probably the best, and i would rather face spurs, if we make through.
100!.... just for the crack!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Chris i think you meant craic.
At Bodymoor Heath yesterday. All the guys were well upbeat after Wednesday's 2nd half display. Even Gabby was in a chatty mood. I have a really good feeling for the next few days. The only downer is Laursen and Heskey still a way off. UTV