Aston Villa managed to beat Reading today at the Majedski Stadium to ensure there name was in the hat for the FA Cup Semi Final draw.
Villa joined Portsmouth and Chelsea in the hat and one of Tottenham or Fulham, depending on who wins in the replay at White Hart Lane.
The FA Cup Semi Final Draw:
ASTON VILLA vs Chelsea
Portsmouth v Tottenham/Fulham
It seems Villa used up all their goals in recent weeks, as they failed to find the net, holding Arsenal to a goaless draw.
A win would have meant the Gunners going top of the league but both teams’ inability to find the net made this a frustrating encounter.
Both teams, however, came close to scoring but were denied by the woodwork.
A fine run by Arshavin resulted in Tomas Rosicky rattling the cross bar, and Stewart Downing should have scored with a header but he too, hit the post.
Both managers will be slightly down-hearted after the result but we won’t have to play an Arsenal team that goes to ground at every single opportunity again this season.
Tonight also saw who our opposition would be in the Carling Cup final, Manchester United beating Manchester City 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate).
In a match which saw ten goals, looking more like a rugby score, I think it is fair to say I couldn’t go into a great deal of detail about each goal tonight as I quite simply can’t remember!
But the important thing is, Aston Villa will be playing in a cup final at Wembley next month – something I’ve been wanting to say for a long time now.
However, things didn’t look that way early in the first half as Kalinic, someone who couldn’t find the net in the last leg, couldn’t help but score this time around, firing home twice in the first half hour.
At that point, I’ll be honest – I thought we had messed everything up.
But it was hard strike on the six-yard line by former Blackburn player, Stephen Warnock which made us a bit more optimistic.
Things were even sweeter when Gabby Agbonlahor was brought down in the box resulting in being awarded a penalty kick and Samba being sent off. And before you ask, no doubts from me, it definitely was a correct decision.
James Milner didn’t fail to impress as he struck home a powerful penalty, despite Robinso diving the right way.
Just to keep you updated, at this point it was 2-2 and stayed that way until half time.
It was the second half that killed the game off and Blackburn’s sight of a cup final was becoming forever fainter, despite netting another two goals!
On the 52nd minute, an inswinging cross from Stewart Downing found the ball deflecting off the opposing players, with Steven Nzonzi being the unlucky one, ’scoring’ and own goal to put the Villa 3-2 up (4-2 on aggregate).
It was Agbonlahor next on the scoresheet, first blocking Milner’s shot but managing to find the net from inside the six-yard area.
Next, it was no other than Emile Heskey. Yes, you read it write, Heskey can score in a ten goal match! But credit when it’s due, Emile played very well tonight and took this finish very well, taking the ball round Paul Robinson to finish off Villa’s fith of the match.
And it didn’t stop there!
It was Blackburn’s turn this time, with unmarked Martin Olsson scoring a spectacular over-head volley leaving Brad Guzan with no chance.
We had to wait until the last 10 minutes for the next goal and it came from Rovers again. Brett Emerton this time with a shot just outside the box, finding the bottom corner of the net. And I was worried about where the next goal was going to come from!
But thankfully, it was Ashley Young who rounded off this thrilling match with a fantastic finish, bending it past Robinson.
To conclude this perculiar, but outstanding match, no player for Villa scored more than one goal.
These being Warnock, Milner, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Young and an Nzonzi own goal.
Goals from Kalinic (2), Ollson and Emerton wasn’t enough to send them through as the game finished at a staggering 6-4, surely one of the best semi-finals the competition has seen.
Despite conceding four goals at home, we can now officialy say the words that have been overdue at Villa Park:
‘We’re the famous Aston Villa and we’re going to Wembley!’
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!
O’Neill Shows Frustration
According to various websites, our very own Martin O’Neill was in the middle of a brief rant over some Villa fans.
It is believed that the home supporters were urging MON to make a change and put a striker on, in which he hit back:
‘That’s why I’m standing here, and you’re sitting over there, you tw*t.’
Not something you hear often from our boss and equally not very professional giving the circumstances.
However, I see it as a good thing.
The remark clearly shows O’Neill’s passion for the club and how much he cares about our success.
His careless approach in responding to the comments suggests, to me, that he was heavily involved in the game and was evidently thinking of ways we could possibly get a winner.
Nonetheless, a more thought-out and considerate retort would be a better solution, but things like this can happen. Football can get to us!