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
More Cup Final ticket problems.
As my girlfriend said to me the other day after the problems ive recieved with the ticket office in the past, and once again trying to get my Cup Final tickets, ‘the staff in the ticket office couldnt run a p*ss up (excuse my language) in a brewery let alone organise the best way to sell 31,000 tickets for Wembley’.
And lets be quite honest, despite my love for my club, the managaer and even the chairman, one of the problems Villa have always had is the running of the ticket office.
I will give credit to Nikky Keye (manager of the ticket office), who phoned me very swiftly after i made my complaint and fingers crossed everything is sorted now.
But first we have problems with how the tickets were being sold online, including all the best tickets going so quickly, the fact people would sit on there for hours only to get errors, then the club stopped selling online.
Then ive heard and experienced broken promise’s and lies from staff at the club.
And then this morning i read a article on a website called The Stirrer stating that young youth defender Nathan Baker was caught trying to sell his 10 free tickets (that all players recieve) on facebook for sums of around £200.
The 18 year old is currently on loan at Lincoln, but will now not be aloud to attend the match.
In a statement, a spokesman said: “The Club is saddened that Nathan has been so foolish. All of the players were made aware that tickets for the Carling Cup final are available for their own use only and, following this incident, the message has been repeated to them.
“It shouldn’t be forgotten, however, that Nathan is just 18 years old and he has a lot to learn. His actions were naive and he is extremely embarrassed and regretful at having let down himself, the Club and Aston Villa fans.
“Any tickets that have been given or sold to players are for the use of their friends and family only. The Club has made it clear that no employee may resell any tickets which they have been given.
“All of the Club’s players have been informed that they are not entitled to re-sell any tickets which they have been given or sold and that the Club will take appropriate action if they do so.
“Nathan said, “I wish to apologise unreservedly to the fans for my actions. I appreciate that it is a privilege to be part of Aston Villa Football Club and one day I hope to play in the first team, but I understand that my behaviour off the pitch must speak as loudly as my actions on the pitch.
“I have been informed by the Club that I will no longer be receiving any tickets for the Carling Cup final and, while I will be sorry not to be able to cheer Aston Villa on at Wembley, I understand and appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to have these tickets given my actions.”
And people moan that us fans are ungrateful? I think you will find we just believe we have rights, after all we do play most of the staff’s wages at Villa Park.
Carling Cup Final Ticket News
We dont usually inform you of ticket news but with this being the Carling Cup Final i thought it was only right that i do so. Avfc.co.uk released the details this afternoon as i said they would this morning.
All Villa supporters will be located in the ‘West Stand‘ of Wembley Stadium.
Tickets will be available to buy for season ticket holders only at first at the ticket office, online or by the telephone. Ticket prices range from £38 – £80 depending on where you want to sit and will be sold on a first come basis.
Buying Windows
Wednesday January 27: B2, B3, B5, B6 and Wheelchair Spaces
Thursday January 28: A3, A4, A5 and A6
Friday January 29: P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 and P8
Saturday January 30: M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5
Sunday January 31: On sale to Personal Callers only to the Villa Village Ticket Office, Villa Park 10am to 4pm to those sitting in any blocks listed above.
Monday February 1: K3, K4 and K6
Tuesday February 2: K1, K2, K5 and K7
Wednesday February 3: C1, C2,C3,C4,C5,C6 and C7
Thursday February 4: A1, A2, A7, A8, B1, B7, C8, C9, P1 and P2
Friday February 5: L4, L5 and L6
Saturday February 6: L1, L2,L3, L7, L8 and L9
Sunday February 7: On sale to Personal Callers only to the Villa Village Ticket Office, Villa Park 10- 4pm to those sitting in any blocks listed above.
Monday February 8: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5
Tuesday February 9: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7
Wednesday February 10 to Friday February 12: Final opportunity for any STH to purchase a ticket.
Monday February 15: All remaining tickets go on priority sale.
For more information please check out the official website
Preview: Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion
After booking our place in the Carling Cup Final against Blackburn on Wednesday night, tomorrow we are in action in the FA Cup. This time up is League 1 outfit Brighton.
Brighton have recently got back to back wins, with one of those in the Midlands with a 2-1 win over Walsall at Bescott last weekend.
There are expected to be many changes for Villa, with Brad Friedel, Carlos Cueller, Stiliyan Petrov, James Milner, Ashley Young and Emile Heskey all expected to be rested.
Curtis Davis could make a return after a lenghty stay on the injury table but will have to proove his fitness, while Wilfred Bouma is also close to return but it is expected that this weeks game will come to early for him.
Brighton will be missing on loan defender Marcos Painter as he is cup tied, so Jim McNulty is expected to come into the fold.
Gus Poyet’s side will no doubt come to Villa Park knowing they have everything to gain, and nothing to lose so this wont be no walk in the park.
Avillafan.com Prediction: Home win.
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.
