Villa get Wolves in FA Cup
We are already on the way to Wembley in the League Cup, wouldnt it be nice to be going twice in one season? Well why not? Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all out, so why can’t we win the domestic double?
Home wins over Blackburn and Brighton see us sitting pretty, and surely one of the favourites but we have to remember Chelsea, Man City and Spurs won’t be easy. And then theres Stoke and Birmingham City who are on good runs at the moment.
Here is the draw in full:
Wolves/Crystal Palace v ASTON VILLA
Man City v Stoke City
Derby v Birmingham City
Bolton v Tottenham/ Leeds
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Fulham v Notts COunty
Reading v WBA
Southampton v Portsmouth
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!’
Blackburn 0-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa have the lead in semi-final of the Carling Cup as they defeat Blackburn by one goal to nil in the first leg at Ewood Park.
Despite Rovers starting the game brighter, Villa hit back instantly as a rapid counter attack saw Downing square the ball to an unmarked James Milner to put Villa one up in the 23rd minute.
And thats the way it stayed, but could so easily be a different story.
Mark Clattenburg hogged the lime light again as he booked Gabby Agbonlahor for a supposed ‘dive’ but quite obviously should have awarded Villa a penalty.
We should have had a penalty later on as well as there looked to be a handball on the six yard line by Pascal Chimbonda, but no – Clattenburg was also oblivious to this and gave a freekick to Blackburn!
Kalinic was denied by the post twice in what seemed, relatively easy chances, but they failed to build upon this and go into the 2nd leg at Villa Park, seperated by the away goal.
Here we come Blackburn!
Aston Villa and there official following of 5,500 supporters are heading to Ewood Park for the first of two games in the Semi-Final of the Carling Cup.
Avillafan.com will be taking our own coach so be sure to look out for us, and our flag.
This is our best chance of silverware since becoming runners up in the FA Cup 10 years ago, so as you can imagine all Villa fans, myself included are really excited.
You have Martin O’Neill saying that a club of Villa’s size should be compeating for silverware more often, while in the other camp you have Sam Alladyce saying he really hopes Blackburn get something at home tomorrow.
All i know is, the game will be nothing like the one at Villa Park on Saturday. And not just because there will be fans at this one, but because both sides will put out there strongest available eleven and be all guns blazing for a win.
Ive dreamt about Villa lifting a cup at the new wembley since it was built, and i firmly believe this could be our year!!
If Martin can’t be bothered, why should i?
Villa take on Blackburn this afternoon in the FA Cup Third Round at Villa Park in a game that from the managers point of view, doesnt really mean a lot.
Hes set to put out a second string side – so im getting the impression that he doesn’t really care about the greatest cup competition in the world.
Ive been a season ticket holder at Villa Park now for around 10-12 years, and ive been going to Villa Park for much longer than that so the decision to not buy a ticket today wasn’t the easiest. Ive missed less than a handful of games at Villa Park in that time, no matter what the weather, I’ve payed my hard earned cash to attend each and everygame.
So when the manager – shows a lack of respect towards me and my money, why should i bother?
Now Martin talks about players being tired all the time, and I understand that travelling and playing games may take its toll so why not rest 3-4 players from the starting eleven and then take others of later in the game? Theres no need to change 80% of the team.
So i would expect nothing more than a second string side and a half empty Villa Park today.
