Weve done it once, we will do it again..
Im not going to bore you or make it a even more despressing Monday than it already is so I wont go into yesterday’s game to much.
I’ve just got back home from Wembley, and i did enjoy myself about from the final result of course.
I could moan about the referee’s blatent cock up, and i could moan about the fact that the best English right back was sitting on the bench while a player who can’t play in that position struggles.
I will moan about the lack of respect the United fans had for this competition. Villa fans waited and applauded our players when they got there runners up medals, and we leave as obviously we don’t want to see what could of been.
Only to walk outside the ground and see loads of United fans out there instead of aplauding there fans. And on top of that, the amount of empty seats in the red side of the stadium. Perfetic.
But what we must do is become one and all get behind the lads as we try to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup and return to the new Wembley stadium.
Wembley here we come, Good luck Villa!
With not much to talk about today, I thought I would get my pre-match Cup Final post up tonight as I head to Wembley in the morning so I doubt I will be posting again now until Monday at some point.
I’m sure just like myself everyone has been counting the days till the weekend while at work this week so we can head to Wembley and hopefully pick up our first trophy since 1996.
If you are still unsure on travel, and where to drink, be sure to check out Coops Guide to Wembley.
Villa look set to have pretty much a full strength side, and we will be heading into this game after two wins on the bounce.
United beat West Ham in there last outing, but it came at a cost as Anderson was taken off early on with a injury and was later ruled out of the cup final, and the rest of the season.
So unless there are any major changes before I leave for London in the morning, let’s all raise a glass and wish Villa good luck on Sunday. Come on the Villa!
Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1
When you walk out of Villa Park after drawing with the Premier League Champions and you hear people moaning amongst themseleves that we didnt win, you know how much Villa have come on over the years.
But then again, if someone said to me, or even any other Villa fan that we would get four points from Manchester United this season, i know we would of snapped there hands of there and then.
It was a bitterly cold night at Villa Park with snow lying on the grounds, but the fans still turned up in there numbers. Must say i was pretty surprised Manchester United never sold out there full allocation, I dont think I’ve ever seen that before.
Villa took the lead after 19 minutes when Stewart Downing crossed the ball, it defelected of Rafael’s foot onto Carlos Cuellar’s head who then looped it over Edwin Van Der Sar.
United were soon down to ten mean when Nani was sent off for a two footed tackle on Stiliyan Petrov. Many said it was harsh, but im pretty sure it says in the book that any two footed challenges mean your off.
The lead only lasted four minutes though when some a wonderful passing goal resulted in a James Collins own goal.
It wasnt the most of entertaining games after the opening half hour. Villa had a shout for a penalty when John Carew was brought down by Jonny Evans in the box, and Wesley Brown was the last man when he took down Richard Dunne when he surged forward with the ball.
But I think the end result was probably a fair result and both sets of fans left the ground in good spirits, especially when they heard that results elsewhere had gone both teams way.
Crowd Rating: (5) – The atmosphere at Villa Park this season as been very poor and last night was no different.
Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United
What a game we have at Villa Park tonight, a Carling Cup Final Preview, Aston Villa vrs Manchester United.
Since Villa’s historic win up at Old Trafford earlier in the season Manchester United have only lost one league game since, and that was away at Craven Cottage.
While Villa on the other hand look solid at the back at the moment, with four clean sheets in the last four games.
Teamnews for Villa see’s Emile Heskey very doubtful with a groin problem which could see a start for John Carew, while Stephen Warnock is still out.
I wish i could say for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is suspended but it simple isnt the case. The only player they are missing is Rio Ferdinand who will be serving his third game from his four match ban. Nemanja Vidic could play some part and play his first game in 2010.
If Villa manage a victory over the Red Devils it will be there first League double over Alex Ferguson’s side in 55 years.
Its going to be a very hard game and when you have in my opinion the best player in the World in your side, in Wayne Rooney anything is possible.
AVILLAFAN.COM Prediction: Draw
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.
