World Cup Over, Look Ahead, The Fonz
Another chapter ends in the history of the Fifa World Cup with Spain being crowned the champions of the world. Reflecting back on the game brings a few thoughts to mind on the flow of the match. It was a bit a yawn fest for the majority of the match with little things to entice me to yell at my television or scream for joy. Robben provided two great opportunities for myself to yell with his breakaway’s that he failed to produce on. Spain had several opportunities as well but overall I enjoyed watching the third place game more than the final itself. A Heart breaker for the Dutch and I wish it had gone to the dreaded penalty shootout for one reason. Based on the performance of both teams I feel the game would have done justice to go there and allow the teams to battle it out. My hat off to Spain and Iniesta though as they did what was needed in the end to get the job done.
So what do we look back and find most memorable about this World Cup? The early exits of teams such as France and Italy? The surprising run of teams such as Ghana and Uruguay? The controversial calls (or no calls) for several goals? The newest installment of the hand of God? The final doused in yellow and no not the glow of the world cup but of course the yellow card frenzy. In the end I look back as another nail biting, unexpected and exciting world cup. It led to cheers, it led to tears but most of all it led to the world coming together to watch the beautiful game.
Another Chapter Begins…
Now all of our attention can be turned towards Aston Villa and what is too happen over the next couple months. Transfer talk is nearly a boiling point with many big names being linked to not only Aston Villa but many other clubs as well. The biggest story line surrounding the club right now has to be that of the fate of James Milner.
Is he staying, is he going no one is really too sure just yet. The deal that seems most likely to happen is that of the offer by surplus cash Manchester City. 15 million pound, Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha is the deal that’s has surfaced most recently on the matter. A move which can perhaps do some good to the club and help strengthen the squad.
We pick up some cash to help in the transfer market plus whatever we get from a few others sales. We pick up a quality attacking MF in Ireland (something we have all been shouting for) and we pick up a defender who has talent and shows promise though he has a few injury problems (though it seems that comes with many players these days). We sell a few other players pick up cash and we could have upwards of 30 million pound to play with. With that who knows what the possibilities are? Of course now the talk has come up over Klaas Jan Huntelaar joining the Premier league from AC Milan and Villa has been linked to the move. 186 Goals in 290 appearances is something that can’t be ignored and Klaas wants first team football which I think puts Manchester City out of the race as they are already too loaded up. Of course other top clubs such as Spurs can offer Champions League Football. We will see where things end up of course as only now with the end of the World Cup will the transfers begin to come in.
Continuing Growth
The European U-19’s are about to being now and this has brought into light a very promising young talent Villa have. Of course I speak of Nathan Delfouneso. Although I don’t like the idea of him missing the training camp and some preseason matches the international competition is important for his development as well. With his continuing development I do hope to see him on the pitch this season several times and putting in goals for the first team. He has been able to produce on the Academy team and shown great pace and drive when been in action. Fans cry for a talent striker to be brought to the club. Well perhaps we have bred our own quality striker in the Fonz.
Final Thoughts
It is time to focus on the Claret and Blue and wait for the transfers to start. Who knows despite all the talk perhaps Milner will still be dawning AVFC on his jersey at kick off this season. Stranger things happened…Heskey at the World Cup?
End of Season Award Winners
It was no surprise when James Milner was last night the big winner at the Aston Villa End of Season Awards bash.
The star who has been in fantastic form was voted Players Player of the Year, Goal of the Season for his strike against Sunderland and the Terrace Trophy which is voted for by the Lions Network.
Terrace Trophy – James Milner
As reported last night on our Facebook page Richard Dunne picked up the Supporters Player of the Season and again it’s no real surprise after his fantastic performances at the heart of the Villa back line.
Supporters Player of the Year – James Milner
Players and Supporters Young Player of the Year went to Nathan Delfouneso for the second season running, while Former Player of the Year went to Former European Cup winning full back Colin Gibson.
Delfouneso wins it for Villa!
Villa could have so easily be wondering how they didn’t win today with the amount of missed chances today, John Carew in particular should of walked away with the match ball.
Portsmouth went into this game with nothing to lose and everything to gain, already relegated and a place in the FA Cup final they were playing for pride, and they didn’t just roll over and die for Villa.
Despite the early pressure from Villa it was Portsmouth who took the lead. Van der Borre twisted inside Stephen Warnock and cuts the ball across goal where it came out to Michael Brown who smashed the ball past Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.
Villa didn’t have to wait long though to get back on level terms, in fact it was only six minutes. Carew beat the offside trap, cut inside David Wilson and smashed the ball past England keeper David James.
Five minutes before the end of the first half Villa were awarded a penalty when Papa Boupa Diop brought down Carew in the box. Carew stepped up only for it to be hit straight down the middle and for James to save it easily.
Villa could and maybe should of have at least two more clear cut penalties. The first was when Gabby Agbonlahor was brought down in the area. Somehow the referee awarded Portsmouth a free-kick to the shock of the whole stadium. And later on Ashley Young was brought down by Anthony Van der Borre, but again the referee said no.
Villa did finally score a winner with eight minutes left to play. Villa take a quick free kick, which meets Emile Heskey’s head and Nathan Delfouneso scores from close range to score his first goal in the Premier League.
This wasn’t as easy as some might of thought it could be but never the less it was an important three points for Villa. It moves them above Liverpool in the table and gives them a four point gap from Everton.
Delph and Delfouneso get U-21 call up.
Fabien Delph and Nathan Delfouneso both got called up to Stuart Pearce’s England U-21 side to play Greece in Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.
Delfouneso will get his first opportunity to represent his country at this level after being promoted from the U-19 setup.
Stuart Pearce stated: “We just felt that Nathan has got a great commodity in his pace. I’ve seen him play for the Under-19s and he can also play out wide as well as down the middle”
Nathan Delfouneso’s profile seems to be getting bigger and bigger as this season progresses.
