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!
