Blackburn 2 - 1 Aston Villa

[Wolverine]

I know this is likely to be controversial, but I do feel yesterdays match was an "I'm In Heaven" moment at full time, what wth so much against us.

Despite half of the fans expecting a mauling and the other half approching the game with general apathy, despite team selection that caught quite a few by surprise, despite an in-form Villa side meeting a shaky Rovers side, despite the first ten minutes or so of atmosphere belinging to the Villa fans, despite the laws of physics also being against us for Agbonlahor's goal, despite lumps getting knocked out of Dunn, despite the lottery that is Clattenberg and his assistant's action following each and every clash, corner, offside, trip, tug, throw in and non-event, and despite Grella's subsequent red card... we won.

Not only that, but on the face of it we deserved it.

So why would I say it's worthy of mention here?

A daft reason really - I remember about fifteen minutes into the second half we had a free kick and in the quiet moments betwen it being awarded and taken, I watched as two magpies flew over the Riverside, swooped slightly and flew off in the direction of the Blackburn End. I thought to myself that this could well be a sign - if we scored in the resultant free kick, it would prove that there is something in the superstitious stuff after all. Having been brought up by a mother that will not pick up gloves she has dropped, never puts shoes on the table, or walks under a ladder, etc, this is emotive stuff!

Of course we fluffed the free kick completely and Grella was sent off within minutes - the superstition in tatters and me believing that we may as well just cave in and surrender.

Thankfully the players decided otherwise and what followed is hands down the best performance of a Rovers team for a very, very long time. It may not have been the sort of football to leave you drooling at the skill involved but it was good old typical British fare - never say die, never give up and my God did they ever come up trumps!

I was proven totally and completely wrong - but did I care? Did any of us? Not a chance!

The penalty (I couldn't watch!) was given, Dunn converted and it felt right that the local lad, the lad living our dream, the lad who was battered and bruised all day got the very goal that sealed the full three points.

This really woke the crowd up who returned to the sort of cheering that I remember so fondly from the late eighties and early nineties. Four minutes of added time where Rovers showed what they were made of - they got the scorline right and now defend, defend, defend!

As a final crowd-pleaser, Robbo pulled off a fine save to seal the points - for me finally showing his worth as the replacement to the very man stood exactly opposite him on the field.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't the best match ever, certainly not the most breath-taking goals ever and large portions of the match I felt depressed, but as Sam says that days like yesterday are why he does his God-forsaken job, the feeling we got at the end of the game is why we support this God-forsaken team!

PS - I still have no idea if the two magpies signified our eventual triumph or were simply a couple of birds that happened to stumble upon Ewood Park... Answers on a postcard...

[sambo]

I too have very fond memories of this game.

Whether it was the fact we were looking up at Burnley, facing a nightmarish October, on a bad run, the first home game before derby day; when Dunn scored that goal, I went as crazy as I ever have at Ewood. Absolute bliss!

[tony gale's mic]

I think we should hold off to see how this season goes before sticking it in here.

If we have a good season, finish in the top half and do ourselves proud then this game may well be seen as a turning point and a springboard to a successful season.

If we end up having another relegation battle then it'll just be seen as a bright spot in another disappointing season.

As impressive a performance and result as it was, its not quite big enough to put it in here yet IMO.

[champions1995]

Brilliant day and a fantastic result! My Birthday was the day after too!

[Wolverine]

I think we should hold off to see how this season goes before sticking it in here.

If we have a good season, finish in the top half and do ourselves proud then this game may well be seen as a turning point and a springboard to a successful season.

If we end up having another relegation battle then it'll just be seen as a bright spot in another disappointing season.

As impressive a performance and result as it was, its not quite big enough to put it in here yet IMO.

I saw your point, but I am sticking with what I said.

Admittedly, I didn't expect the table to look like it does today, or for Villa to get revenge several times over. Would I swap this win for a win in the semi finals? Tough decision!

[unluckymorton]

I saw your point, but I am sticking with what I said.

Admittedly, I didn't expect the table to look like it does today, or for Villa to get revenge several times over. Would I swap this win for a win in the semi finals? Tough decision!

I wouldn't. 3 Points against anybody in the Premier League is more important than a cup semi final place for the Rovers at this stage.

[tony gale's mic]

I saw your point, but I am sticking with what I said.

Admittedly, I didn't expect the table to look like it does today, or for Villa to get revenge several times over. Would I swap this win for a win in the semi finals? Tough decision!

Well it's not been a disappointing season.

I would definitely have picked a place in the final over this though - noone forgets a big day out and a cup final, plus we've never been to the new Wembley before.