Villa draw Blackburn in League Cup
Aston Villa were today drawn alongside Blackburn Rovers in what will be a repeat of last years League Cup Semi-Final. Read more
Villa lose to Blackburn
Blackburn did the double over Villa in the league this season, very much the same as we did in the cup over them.
The game had end of season wrote all over it, with two sides that looked like they had very little to play for. Villa were lucky that Liverpool failed to pick up three points away at already relegated Hull or they could of finished 7th.
Never the less we have finished 6th for the third season running now but this season we have enjoyed runs in both domestic cups.
It was a Richard Dunne own goal that came six minutes from time that gifted Blackburn all three points which was a bit unfair on possibly the best player on the pitch yesterday and one of Villa’s best all season.
Villa had there chances in the first half when Gabby Agbonlahor and James Collins both forced saves out of Paul Robinson which would of done his England chances no harm what so ever.
Both sides could of easily had a penalty on another day when David Dunn was brought down by Collins in the Villa area only to be shown a yellow card for diving, and Christopher Samba brought down John Carew five minutes later. Replays later showed that both sides had a good case for a penalty.
It was a dissapointing result to lose against a side who are very poor away from home but never the less we would of finished sixth regardless because of how results went elsewhere.
Overall a decent season and we can now go away enjoy our summers and the World Cup and look forward to the new season.
Season of heartbreak, let us finish on a high!
This season has been a season of ups and downs for Aston Villa but all the ups have ended up in heartbreak for the fans.
We only just miss out on Champions League, and success in both domestic cup competitons but if we all stand back and think about it, we all know we would take it again next season.
Martin O’Neill has today stated in the papers that he will be ready and raring to go next season as long as Randy Lerner backs him.
Anyway onto tomorrows final game of the Premier League season, we entertain Blackburn as they look to get revenge from losing to us in the League Cup Semi Final.
A win for Villa tomorrow and a defeat for Manchester City could see Villa take 5th place from under City’s nose.
However, Blackburn still have something to play for as they would love to finish the season in the top half.
Villa have no fresh injury worries, while Blackburn could give a debut to Algerian Amine Linganzi.
Wilfred Bouma was told his contract wont be renewed when it runs out next month so the Dutch man could make a appearance of some sort tomorrow.
It will be a difficult game as all games against Sam Alladyce teams are but the Villa fans will demand a result and I think they will get one.
Avillafan.com Prediction: Home win
Youth Watch: Nathan Delfouneso
With two FA Cup goals to his name, people are starting to sit up and take notice of Nathan Delfouneso, and ask the question, is he the next graduate from Villa’s Youth setup?
His name has been around for the past 2-3 seasons now, and weve all heard about him breaking youth and reserve scoring records but so did Luke Moore and Darrius Vassell and look where they both are now.
The 18 year old has represented England at U-16, U-17 and U-19 levels scoring a combined total of 18 goals in 32 appearances.
Delfouneso, wears the number 14 shirt, something he was given in 2008 when he signed his first professional contract and a French Magazine claimed it was due for the strikers admiration for then Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
He then became the youngest player to represent Aston Villa in europe at the age of 17 years and 195 days when he came of the bench in a Uefa Cup second round match against FH Hafnarfjörður of Iceland.
Nathan went on to make his first first team start on the 4th January 2009, in a FA Cup tie against Gillingham in which Villa won 2-1. He soon scored his first professional goal against Doncaster Rovers, also in the FA Cup that same season.
A lot is expected of this young lad, and a lot of people forget that hes still only 18. At the end of last season he was voted both Aston Villa Players Young Player of the Season and Fans Player of the Season.
The 2009-10 season as sore him score his fifth and sixth goals for the club against Blackburn and Brighton, once again both in the FA Cup.
Nathan Delfouneso, is a player who in my opinion will make a massive impact in the future on the Premier League and with the big English contingent at the club already, there is no reason why one day he can’t be representing his national side at the highest level.
I hear you ask why he wont be just another Luke Moore, well the reason i say this is because he isnt just being thrown into the big time. Martin O’Neill use’s him sporadically and won’t rush him into anything hes not ready for.
Full Time: Aston Villa 6-4 Blackburn Rovers
In a match which saw ten goals, looking more like a rugby score, I think it is fair to say I couldn’t go into a great deal of detail about each goal tonight as I quite simply can’t remember!
But the important thing is, Aston Villa will be playing in a cup final at Wembley next month – something I’ve been wanting to say for a long time now.
However, things didn’t look that way early in the first half as Kalinic, someone who couldn’t find the net in the last leg, couldn’t help but score this time around, firing home twice in the first half hour.
At that point, I’ll be honest – I thought we had messed everything up.
But it was hard strike on the six-yard line by former Blackburn player, Stephen Warnock which made us a bit more optimistic.
Things were even sweeter when Gabby Agbonlahor was brought down in the box resulting in being awarded a penalty kick and Samba being sent off. And before you ask, no doubts from me, it definitely was a correct decision.
James Milner didn’t fail to impress as he struck home a powerful penalty, despite Robinso diving the right way.
Just to keep you updated, at this point it was 2-2 and stayed that way until half time.
It was the second half that killed the game off and Blackburn’s sight of a cup final was becoming forever fainter, despite netting another two goals!
On the 52nd minute, an inswinging cross from Stewart Downing found the ball deflecting off the opposing players, with Steven Nzonzi being the unlucky one, ‘scoring’ and own goal to put the Villa 3-2 up (4-2 on aggregate).
It was Agbonlahor next on the scoresheet, first blocking Milner’s shot but managing to find the net from inside the six-yard area.
Next, it was no other than Emile Heskey. Yes, you read it write, Heskey can score in a ten goal match! But credit when it’s due, Emile played very well tonight and took this finish very well, taking the ball round Paul Robinson to finish off Villa’s fith of the match.
And it didn’t stop there!
It was Blackburn’s turn this time, with unmarked Martin Olsson scoring a spectacular over-head volley leaving Brad Guzan with no chance.
We had to wait until the last 10 minutes for the next goal and it came from Rovers again. Brett Emerton this time with a shot just outside the box, finding the bottom corner of the net. And I was worried about where the next goal was going to come from!
But thankfully, it was Ashley Young who rounded off this thrilling match with a fantastic finish, bending it past Robinson.
To conclude this perculiar, but outstanding match, no player for Villa scored more than one goal.
These being Warnock, Milner, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Young and an Nzonzi own goal.
Goals from Kalinic (2), Ollson and Emerton wasn’t enough to send them through as the game finished at a staggering 6-4, surely one of the best semi-finals the competition has seen.
Despite conceding four goals at home, we can now officialy say the words that have been overdue at Villa Park:
‘We’re the famous Aston Villa and we’re going to Wembley!’
