[Archived] Aston Villa. Post match chat

[rover6]

If you can't beat them, don't join them - that's my motto. So rather than follow the format of some the previous excellent 'previews' I've gone for the run-of-the-mill footy preview. Here goes:

Blackburn V Aston Villa

Background:

Not quite a banana skin but a bunch of gutsy Cherries were enough to bring Mark Hughes’ managerial honeymoon period to an abrupt and unceremonious end. If the debut victory over Pompey was the Wedding Day snog, the Bournemouth debacle was the first row.

Notwithstanding that blip, Hughes’ arrival has been the proverbial breath of fresh air sweeping through a club that had grown stale under the previous regime. Most notable amongst the plethora of changes instigated by Hughes, is the more attacking intent shown by the players on the pitch – hopefully the sight of Garry Flitcroft and Jon Douglas marshalling the flanks will never haunt Rovers fans again, at least not outside of recurring nightmares.

Aston Villa are a match for any team in the Premiership these days. With the relative up-turn in fortunes brought about by David O’Leary, the fans have almost forgotten to maintain the perpetual bitching about Doug Ellis. (Emphasis on the word ‘almost’). They currently lie in 8th position and a win over Rovers could take them up into the Champions’ League mix – whatever that means at this stage of the season.

O’Leary has a strong side, with Nobby Solano and Gareth Barry, they certainly have wingers well capable of delivering a decent ball – if not out sprint a full back. Carlton Cole was an intelligent signing and will no doubt keep our defenders busy, along with Angel and/or Vassell.

Form:

Rovers: (last six games, oldest first): LLDLWL: Not very good - you can see why Freddy Shepherd went for Graeme Souness, can't you.

Aston Villa: (last six games, oldest first): LWDDWD: A few draws in there, mainly brought about the fact that they don't score many, but then again, there defence doesn't often let them down.

Last season:

This fixture tends to be like a day-night cricket game – the result’s decided before the start. Bizarrely, one team always comes out eager to impress and the other in a stupor.

Take last season’s contrasting scores. At Ewood, Rovers were predictably pathetic and Villa eased to a 2-0 win. Yet, in the return fixture, Villa played the submissive role, with Rovers collecting a rare three points, Stead and Flitcroft scoring the goals.

Who’s hot?

Rovers: Brett Emerton, aka the Enigma of Oz, has benefited more than most by the managerial change at Blackburn. Debut apart, the winger has been a serious disappointment, rarely showing the talent that won him wide acclaim during his Feyenoord and right back days. The guy has actually started to play like a Premiership winger and coupled a decent performance against Bournemouth with a rare goal. Special mention for Matt Jansen who has shown that there’s life in the old dog yet, since being recalled. Bravo, Matty.

Villa: Carlton Cole: A mercurial talent, the man from Chelsea has found the scene at Villa to his liking. Not only has he been getting goals for Aston Villa, he has been the real deal for the England U21s, outshining our very own Jonny Stead. Cole has all the attributes to be a fantastic striker. He has strength, pace, close control and finishing ability – only his temperament stands between him and being amongst the best.

Who’s Not?

Rovers: Jon Stead: Last season’s saviour has found hitting the onion bag a darn sight harder this campaign. One suspects that being awarded the number nine jersey and the immense responsibility that comes with that has been a burden too difficult to bear for the youngster. The penalty miss against Bournemouth will trouble him and by all reports, Peter Taylor has demoted him to the bench for the U21s. There is no doubt this is just the customary trough that all strikers go through and Stead will be back amongst the goals before long.

Villa: Tommy Hitzelsperger: ‘Der Hammer’ has not been firing in those 20 yard thunder bolts recently and has seen his midfield spot snatched by Lee Hendrie. In my opinion, not the most talented of players but his powerful shot is a useful weapon to have in the armoury. Although, it must get a bit annoying when the crowd cry ‘shoot’ every time he has the ball – Stefan Freund had the same problem, for different reasons obviously.

Prediction:

Rovers to win 2-1. Aston Villa will be sluggish for the first half and Blackburn will capitalize by going 2-0 up by half-time. David O’Leary’s words still stinging their ears, Villa will mount an impressive fight back in the second, but with only one goal conceded by Friedel, we will win. Hoooray.

Edited September 28, 2004 by rover6

[den]

I reckon that's a pretty good preview rover6.

Well done and thank you.

[Flopsy]

Yeah mate good one

you forgot the god awful

villa villa Villa VILLA song

[1864roverite]

different but interesting read

cant see anything other than a draw at best for Rovers

[Bobby G]

Seems our home and away record from last season has switched.

I hope Sparky rallies the troops and gets his imprint sooner rather than later.

1-1 Stead to score.

[mjs]

After tonight's dismal performance against a very poor Charlton I can't see anything but a defeat against a well organised Villa.

Hope I am wrong.

[krislu]

Rovers 4 Villa 0

3min: An excellent cross by Emerton, and Stead strikes it home 1-0

27min: Emerton hits a brilliant corner which Stead heads in the roof of the net 2-0

57min: Matteo sends away a lovely 70yards through ball, Stead pickes it up and combine beautifully with Dickov, and hits it hard and low 3-0

89min: Emerton hits another brilliant corner, Stead on the volley and the ball goes for the top corner, but then out of nowhere Olof Melberg is diving through the air and saves the shot with an excellent one hand save. The play goes on, but now Flitcroft find himself clear on goal but rather than striking the ball he strikes Olof's leg, and falls over.....the ref points at the penalty spot. Stead place the ball coolly in the bottom corner 4-0

[S15]

109837-0...

Dickov.

[tchocky]

Whatever happened to getting the views of a fan from the opposition?

That said, I thought the preview was good, mr. 6

[Radagast]

What tchocky said.

[dave birch]

Maybe we couldn't find a villa fan with a view on this game, or one that could articulate a view

[Nayef]

Rovers 4 Villa 0

3min: An excellent cross by Emerton, and Stead strikes it home 1-0

27min: Emerton hits a brilliant corner which Stead heads in the roof of the net 2-0

57min: Matteo sends away a lovely 70yards through ball, Stead pickes it up and combine beautifully with Dickov, and hits it hard and low 3-0

89min: Emerton hits another brilliant corner, Stead on the volley and the ball goes for the top corner, but then out of nowhere Olof Melberg is diving through the air and saves the shot with an excellent one hand save. The play goes on, but now Flitcroft find himself clear on goal but rather than striking the ball he strikes Olof's leg, and falls over.....the ref points at the penalty spot. Stead place the ball coolly in the bottom corner 4-0

Obviously overdosed on prozac.

[den]

Whatever happened to getting the views of a fan from the opposition?

That said, I thought the preview was good, mr. 6

Our fans were invited to do their own preview, in any fashion they liked.

I thought rover6 did well.

Give it a go yourselves. I'll be asking for volunteers soon.

[American]

Maybe we couldn't find a villa fan with a view on this game, or one that could articulate a view

Or maybe Mr. 6 has no friends to ask?

[SAS]

4-0 to villa. We are incapable.

[philipl]

Very important we don't lose this one. Last season's away form (which saved our skins) seems to be out of the window so we need some semblance of fortress Ewood.

Probably more depends on which Villa side turns up- they can look world beaters then lose 3-0 at Charlton.

Going for a 0-0. One of our long running records has to go so I'm opting for the one we are not complaining about rather than the lack of penalties.

[SouthAussieRover]

Rovers 1 Villa 2.

We're doomed

[Ricky]

David Platt has demoted him to the bench for the U21s.

I thought Peter Taylor was in charge of the Under 21's

[rover6]

David Platt has demoted him to the bench for the U21s.

I thought Peter Taylor was in charge of the Under 21's

Oops. Correction has been made.

Edited September 28, 2004 by rover6

[Ossydave]

Find it hard to see up breaching the Villa defence I'm afraid

Actually ###### no, 2-0 to us

[McClarky]

We don't have a good record against Villa at home do we? Never mind, we'll stuff 'em. I can't see Villa as being anything more than a very dull and very average team who we can beat if we play well and don't give them a goal start. COME ON YOU BLUES!

2-1 Rovers (Dickov, Stead)

Att : 20,902

[herbergeehh]

I'm sorry, is there a late kickoff in this match? 19 or something?

Rovers.co.uk says it's at 15, but Norwegian television will show the whole match at 7.......

EDIT: Nevermind, it starts at 15.. guess I'll have to stay away from internet then, until the game starts on TV...

Edited September 29, 2004 by herbergeehh

[SuperStella]

Rovers 2 - Villa 0

(Djorkaeff & Dickov)

[stegraham]

Well, we still haven't lost at home this season in the PL, so I think we'll continue this outstanding run

2-1 (Neill and Flitty)

[Jordan]

Hard fought 3-1 win with Matteo and Dickov (2).