Off the back of a stunning 4-2 win against Bolton, the press are once again talking about Villa's ability to break the top four.
They are also discussing the number of young English players currently playing at Villa Park. Fabio Capello has already made it clear that Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor have huge parts to play in his future plans and now he has set his sights on James Milner.
Speaking very highly of Milner, Capello stated that he was to look at the Villa winger as a posible inclusion for the friendlies coming up in 2009.
I like that Milner is getting some recognition having been in the under 21 side for a record amount of time. It is hard to shine in a young Villa team full of so many bright stars, but the Work Milner puts in deserves to be rewarded.
People questioned his £12m price-tag, and still do, but I don't think it will be too long before he lives up to the faith Martin O'Neill has quite literally invested in him. As far as England goes, again,it can only be a matter of time before he is following in the footsteps of Gabby, Young and Gareth Barry as a familiar face in the senior international set-up.
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Monday 8 December 2008
Ashley Young 1 - 0 Everton
For the first time since the final whistle last night, I believe I am now able to write a proper post about the stunning 3-2 victory against Everton without it looking like this...
'Ohhhhhhhhhhh mmmyyyyyyyy liiiffeee what a goooaaallll Ashleyyy Young! Ashleyyy Younnngggggg!!!!!'.
I use the word 'stunning' not because it was a brilliant performance, but because of the nature of the way in which we won it. Some say we didn't deserve the win, others say 2-2 would have been a fair result, I say an Everton victory would have been most fair. However, as much as they pressured, they still made huge errors which we managed to capitalise on.
The title of this post is a dedication the one man in the team that keeps on proving exactly why he is regarded as one of the most exiting young talents this country has to offer. His first goal was an excellent finish and the second was nothing short of incredible. To take the ball around a player like Lescott and finish the ball so beautifully, less than a minute after your team has snatched one point from the jaws of three just goes to show why we love Ashley Young so much.
As far as performances go, we'll need to improve before next week's trip to Bolton, but I'm sure Martin O'Neill knows this and I still have faith that we'll come good.
'Ohhhhhhhhhhh mmmyyyyyyyy liiiffeee what a goooaaallll Ashleyyy Young! Ashleyyy Younnngggggg!!!!!'.
I use the word 'stunning' not because it was a brilliant performance, but because of the nature of the way in which we won it. Some say we didn't deserve the win, others say 2-2 would have been a fair result, I say an Everton victory would have been most fair. However, as much as they pressured, they still made huge errors which we managed to capitalise on.
The title of this post is a dedication the one man in the team that keeps on proving exactly why he is regarded as one of the most exiting young talents this country has to offer. His first goal was an excellent finish and the second was nothing short of incredible. To take the ball around a player like Lescott and finish the ball so beautifully, less than a minute after your team has snatched one point from the jaws of three just goes to show why we love Ashley Young so much.
As far as performances go, we'll need to improve before next week's trip to Bolton, but I'm sure Martin O'Neill knows this and I still have faith that we'll come good.
Friday 5 December 2008
Aston Villa 1 - 2 MSK Zilina
I was aware Martin O'Neill was going to play a weakened side for the game. I was aware that players such as Gabby Agbonlahor needed a well earned break. But I was not prepared for such a poor performance, leaving most Villa fans embarrassed to be a part of the claret and blue army.
The team had been criticised for being too inexperienced, but let's not overlook the fact that Ashley and Luke Young both started, two players from the usual starting line-up, as did Nigel Reo-Coker who may not be playing well but is officially vice-captain. Carlos Cuellar; our multi-million pound summer signing. Zat Knight and Craig Gardener too, who may not be regulars but are both expected to be able to perform on any stage.
It is all well and good having a larger squad than we ever have done but what we need is the ability to play a weakened side that can still get results. I was very impressed with Zilina, who had been described as a 'Slovakian power-house' in the Evening Mail, but they were still bottom of the group without a win. They broke us down easily and looked dangerous on every attack.
I am not one to instantly start criticising his team; there were fans around me that were not as forgiving, but I cannot help but feel that Martin O'Neill underestimated our opponents. It was clear with the introductions of Gareth Barry, Agbonlahor and James Milner that he also started panicking late-on. I was confident we could come-back and earn a point but as time went on it was obviously becoming more and more of a challenge.
The chance was there to qualify, even to qualify as group winners. But instead we must go to Hamburg and grind-out a result. Something which, if they were watching last night, shouldn't worry them too much.
Delfouneso's lively performance was a silver-lining on a terrible night for other fringe players such as Salifou and Isiah Osbourne. But he still didn't do enough to convine me that he can compete for a place with Gabby or big John Carew.
Everton next, in a huge game, and then Bolton. I only hope that we can find the form that brought us that stunning 2-0 victory at the Emirates only a few weeks ago and resume our assault on the Premiership's 'big four'.
The team had been criticised for being too inexperienced, but let's not overlook the fact that Ashley and Luke Young both started, two players from the usual starting line-up, as did Nigel Reo-Coker who may not be playing well but is officially vice-captain. Carlos Cuellar; our multi-million pound summer signing. Zat Knight and Craig Gardener too, who may not be regulars but are both expected to be able to perform on any stage.
It is all well and good having a larger squad than we ever have done but what we need is the ability to play a weakened side that can still get results. I was very impressed with Zilina, who had been described as a 'Slovakian power-house' in the Evening Mail, but they were still bottom of the group without a win. They broke us down easily and looked dangerous on every attack.
I am not one to instantly start criticising his team; there were fans around me that were not as forgiving, but I cannot help but feel that Martin O'Neill underestimated our opponents. It was clear with the introductions of Gareth Barry, Agbonlahor and James Milner that he also started panicking late-on. I was confident we could come-back and earn a point but as time went on it was obviously becoming more and more of a challenge.
The chance was there to qualify, even to qualify as group winners. But instead we must go to Hamburg and grind-out a result. Something which, if they were watching last night, shouldn't worry them too much.
Delfouneso's lively performance was a silver-lining on a terrible night for other fringe players such as Salifou and Isiah Osbourne. But he still didn't do enough to convine me that he can compete for a place with Gabby or big John Carew.
Everton next, in a huge game, and then Bolton. I only hope that we can find the form that brought us that stunning 2-0 victory at the Emirates only a few weeks ago and resume our assault on the Premiership's 'big four'.
Wednesday 3 December 2008
Villa in Europe
Villa Park plays host to another night of European football tomorrow night and I am hoping that the Villa can maintain their 100% record.
It has been incredible to watch the claret and blue army showcase their talents on the European stage for the first time in seven years, and a win against Zilina on Thursday would make it three victories in three.
This is something I am confident of and having watched AC Milan's visit to Portsmouth last week, I am not under the firm belief that there really should be no fear going into any game in these group stages or beyond.
O'Neill has said we can win in, Barry too, Curtis Davies, Ashley young; the list goes on. I am going to the game and can't wait to experience the electric, European atmosphere live at Villa Park for the first time since the game against Hafnarfjordu.
Up the Villa.
It has been incredible to watch the claret and blue army showcase their talents on the European stage for the first time in seven years, and a win against Zilina on Thursday would make it three victories in three.
This is something I am confident of and having watched AC Milan's visit to Portsmouth last week, I am not under the firm belief that there really should be no fear going into any game in these group stages or beyond.
O'Neill has said we can win in, Barry too, Curtis Davies, Ashley young; the list goes on. I am going to the game and can't wait to experience the electric, European atmosphere live at Villa Park for the first time since the game against Hafnarfjordu.
Up the Villa.
Thursday 20 November 2008
Super Gab!
England's young side managed to see off Germany 2-1 in Berlin last night, with the highlight of my evening being Gabriel Agbonlahor's impressive display on his debut.
Gabby has received much praise in all of the morning papers and deservedly so. He was a constant threat to the Germany defence and whilst he didn't score, he did enough to convince fans that he is capable of partnering Wayne Rooney in next years World Cup Qualifiers.
Ashley Young did make it onto the pitch late in the second half but failed to really make an impact with not long left. I must say I question Capello's decision to pick Downing ahead of him. But Downing did do well and as any Villa fan will tell you; Young will get his chance.
Finally, a quote from the Times on Gareth Barry's performance. Something that makes me so pleased to read having watched him at Villa Park for a decade...
'The mark of a decent midfield player? You hardly notice them when they are present and you miss them grievously when they are not - a category that Gareth Barry fits comfortably into.'
England's international future is looking bright. And it makes me proud as a Villa fan to know that part of this reason is due to the young, home-grown talent provided by the claret and blue army.
Gabby has received much praise in all of the morning papers and deservedly so. He was a constant threat to the Germany defence and whilst he didn't score, he did enough to convince fans that he is capable of partnering Wayne Rooney in next years World Cup Qualifiers.
Ashley Young did make it onto the pitch late in the second half but failed to really make an impact with not long left. I must say I question Capello's decision to pick Downing ahead of him. But Downing did do well and as any Villa fan will tell you; Young will get his chance.
Finally, a quote from the Times on Gareth Barry's performance. Something that makes me so pleased to read having watched him at Villa Park for a decade...
'The mark of a decent midfield player? You hardly notice them when they are present and you miss them grievously when they are not - a category that Gareth Barry fits comfortably into.'
England's international future is looking bright. And it makes me proud as a Villa fan to know that part of this reason is due to the young, home-grown talent provided by the claret and blue army.
Sunday 16 November 2008
Villa stars make Germany squad...
Fabio Capello has named his squad for Wednesday's friendly with Germany, with England regular Gareth Barry being joined by three of his Aston Villa team mates.
Curtis Davies, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbolahor have all been included in the squad after months of being overlooked.
Whilst I do worry that they may struggle to retain their places for competitive games, I can only congratulate them and hope they take advantage of this fantastic and thoroughly deserved opportunity.
Curtis Davies, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbolahor have all been included in the squad after months of being overlooked.
Whilst I do worry that they may struggle to retain their places for competitive games, I can only congratulate them and hope they take advantage of this fantastic and thoroughly deserved opportunity.
Arsenal 0 - 2 Aston Villa
What an afternoon at the Emirates!
Arsenal seem to be one of those teams that the Villa seem to never be able to beat. Manchester United are the same, but at least we always put up a fight against them regardless of the score. However in the years that I have watched the claret and blue army play against the gunners, I am yet to see a performance worthy of even a point. Until now.
I feared that it may be one of those afternons and as Ashley Young missed his penalty, the score remained at 0-0 with less that 45 minutes to. I will admit that even though we were the better team, ther was an ever-present feeling of pesimism.
This is why walking away with a 2-0 victory isn't just a historic win for the Villa but one that proves we are still in the running for a top four finish. The past couple of games have been dissapointing but what a way to bounce back. Arsenal's form of late has been up and down but in my opinion, this was more a case of us making it physically impossible for them to play their football.
So we look forward to next week and a huge game against Manchester Unites that gives us the oppurtunity to prove we are serious contenders to break the top four and live up to the expectations of fans, players and pundits alike.
Arsenal seem to be one of those teams that the Villa seem to never be able to beat. Manchester United are the same, but at least we always put up a fight against them regardless of the score. However in the years that I have watched the claret and blue army play against the gunners, I am yet to see a performance worthy of even a point. Until now.
I feared that it may be one of those afternons and as Ashley Young missed his penalty, the score remained at 0-0 with less that 45 minutes to. I will admit that even though we were the better team, ther was an ever-present feeling of pesimism.
This is why walking away with a 2-0 victory isn't just a historic win for the Villa but one that proves we are still in the running for a top four finish. The past couple of games have been dissapointing but what a way to bounce back. Arsenal's form of late has been up and down but in my opinion, this was more a case of us making it physically impossible for them to play their football.
So we look forward to next week and a huge game against Manchester Unites that gives us the oppurtunity to prove we are serious contenders to break the top four and live up to the expectations of fans, players and pundits alike.
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