villa park Archive

Preview: Aston Villa v Burnley

By
Stuart
Published: February 20, 2010Tags: , , ,
Preview: Aston Villa v Burnley

Burnley travel to Villa Park tomorrow to take on an Aston Villa side that are yet to lose in 2010, however four of Villa’s five in this time have ended in draws.

While Burnley have only managed a single point away from home this season and conceded a massive 38 goals on their travels – the worst in the Premier League.

With Villa playing Palace in midweek, three days before the cup final there are questions to what players will play, and who will be rested. And the side Martin picks will show his intentions for the season.

Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey are still question marks but both have trained this week. Stiliyan Petrov will continue to captain the side despite carrying nagging ankle and Achilles problems.

Burnley are expected to welcome back Leon Cort who’s been out with a groin strain. Veteran Graham Alexander, missing for the last three weeks with a calf problem, is rated 50-50 to return.

Stephen Jordan (hamstring) and Chris McCann (knee) could come back into contention but Steven Caldwell (groin) is still sidelined.

With Villa still chasing a top four spot and Burnley wanting to get out of the bottom three this has the potential to be a very good game; however I think Villa will come out victorious.

AVILLAFAN Prediction: Home Win

Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1

By
Stuart
Published: February 11, 2010Tags: , , , ,
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

By
Stuart
Published: February 10, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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

Bouma & Davis step up there comeback.

By
Stuart
Published: February 2, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Bouma & Davis step up there comeback.

Wilfred Bouma and Curtis Davis last night stepped up there comeback to first team action by both completing 90 minutes for the Reserve side in a 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Villa Park.

Bouma, whos been out of action for around 16 months played his first game since his long term injury problems, while Curtis Davis continued his comeback, after appearing against Brighton in the FA Cup.

Villa took the lead when Andreas Weimann put the ball past Chelsea keeper Rhys Taylor in the seventh minute.

However, the lead didnt last two long as the visitors equalised within three minutes. Kenny Strickland slotted home for Chelsea just inside the penalty area.

Villa got there lead back when Jonathon Hogg crossed the ball into there area, where Curtis Davis headed the ball in the direction of Ciaran Clarke who converted a fantastic overhead kick.

Villa confirmed the victory in the last minute when Hogg was once again involved with the goal. He headed the ball back across the goal from a cross, for Weimann to score his second of the night and give the reserves all three points.

Despite the victory, the spotlight was very much on Bouma, and Davis and they successfully come through there first step back to full fitness.

Preview: Aston Villa vs Arsenal

By
Stuart
Published: January 27, 2010Tags: , , , , , ,
Preview: Aston Villa vs Arsenal

After the week of Cup action we finally return to Premiership action and we must get out the fact we are going to Wembley next month out of our minds and cocentrate what we have in front of us… Arsenal.

Since Arsenals 3-0 victory over us last month they have gone from strength to strength and they were even top of the league at one point, however there defeat to Stoke the weekend would of hurt them.

You dont need me to tell you about Villa’s fortunes, with us on our way to Wembley, and in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

League form doesnt look to good though with only 1 point in 3 games so we must be looking to get back to winning ways tonight.

Villa will have to do so without Stephen Warnock, Nigel Reo-Coker and John Carew who are all struggling with injuries. Arsenal have no new injury problems.

This is going to be a very difficult game but if we play the Villa way and not the Arsenal way we are more than capable of getting something out of this game.

Avillafan.com Prediction: Draw.

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