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.
Delfouneso rules out loan move
Villa startlet, Nathan Delfouneso has ruled out a possible loan move away from Villa Park this month, as he looks to challenge for a first team spot.
However, competition is hard as Heskey looks to prove his doubters wrong and book himself a trip to South Africa, as does Agbonlahor, and Carew wants a new contract – but ‘The Fonz’ is confident in his ability to impress, when given the chance.
I certainly like him and feel he does deserve a chance, but also respect that we do have better and more experienced players in his position currently.
His movement stands out for me, and his hardwork is evidence of his determination to be successful at Aston Villa.
Delfouneso looks set to be a part of the squad tonight in the League Cup semi-final clash at Ewood Park.
Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the match, but for those of you who are, have a good game and I ask you to cheer on the mighty Villa!
Preview: Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa
So the long awaited League Cup Semi-Final between Villa and Blackburn at Ewood Park is now just a matter of hours away. After the game being called off already due to the weather last week, fans have had to wait even longer than first anticipated.
Martin O’Neill stated in his pre-match press conferance that Villa will be out there to give it there all as we try and reach our first final since our defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final in 2000.
This competiton is now everything for Blackburn as they don’t have much more to play for apart from maybe Premier League survival so they will be fired up despite being battered by Manchester City on Monday night.
Villa look to have a full team ready to choose from, while Blackburn will give late fitness tests to Gael Givet and Benni McCarthy after they both picked up injuries against Man City.
Villa will have a strong official following of 5,325 supporters, which others expected to travel and try and get into the home end and theres no doubt they will get behind the lads as they always do on there day.
I don’t know how much truth is in this, but i was today told that Blackburn have only sold a very dissapointing 11,000 tickets. As i said I’m not sure how much truth is in this but would be terrible if it is true with it being a Semi-Final tie.
Also, if you are travelling to tomorrows game look out for the Avillafan.com coach, which expects to arrive in Blackburn around 3.30pm. We hope to have the Avillafan.com flag flying, however it doesn’t always go to plan on our away trips.
The road to Wembley..
Villa’s season so far has seen mixed results with unpredictable conclusions but it seems that we can’t be stopped when it comes to playing in the League Cup.
It has witnessed us defeating the likes of Cardiff, Sunderland and Portsmouth in high scoring fashion.
The first match of the competition was at Villa Park, playing Championship side, Cardiff City and despite decent football from the opposition, we comfortably sailed through the next round with a trip up north to Sunderland already pencilled in my calendar.
I was frustrated to see no goals in 90 minutes in this next league cup encounter against Sunderland, but was also proud and optimistic about our youngsters, when reserve keeper Guzan heroicly saved three penalties over the course of the match.
Hopefully, he will learn how fellow american, Brad Friedel keeps himself fit, and will be playing for Villa in many years to come.
We finished the match 3-1 on penalties and despite ex blue Steve Bruce’s sour grapes, we deservedly went through to the next round!
It was against Portsmouth and was perhaps the easiest tie in the group but still had a job on our hands, in more ways than one, as we visited Fratton Park!
This was the highest scoring game so far in the League Cup for Villa as we manage to smash 4 past the Premier League opposition but unfortunately, still conceding 2.
It was my favourite game of the competition so far and left me raring for the semi-final tie against Blackburn, thanks to goals from Heskey, Milner, Young and Stewart Downing on his first start for the club – which was pleasing to see.
If I were being picky, I’d ask the question why are we letting in 2 goals against strugglers, Pompey? But I’ve decided not to moan simply because of the possible chance to play at Wembley in a long awaited cup final!
However, we had to wait a bit longer due to the country’s big freeze resulting in the Ewood Park clash being postponed to Thursday 14th January.
So do we have a chance of winning it? Well many people have automatically assumed that we are already in the final, stating that Blackburn aren’t really a match for the mighty Villa. But I myself, am looking at each game as it comes and trying not to focus on the potential cup final as should the Villa players. I believe complacency would be the only obstacle in our Wembley attempt and as long as we look to avoid that, we should be fine.
And then, who’s to say we can’t defeat Man United or Man City? Believe!
