Villa Go Out With A Whimper

Oh dear. The stage was set, the final curtain was upon us, the atmosphere was expectant and then the actors didn't turn up. Talk about pretenders to the throne, you don't win games unless you give the opposition the respect to turn up and play them.

Villa are imponderable. I said before the game whenever us fans go down buoyant and expectant, they fail to back up our confidence and today was a great illustration of that. All in all it was baffling to see a team who had been so very good in their last four games revert to the sort of performance that we'd witnessed v Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Fulham.

Europe calling? Not sure, but if it is I would say it will be via the inter two bob, surely we can't rely on a win away from West Ham AND Everton to lose twice? Still, funnier things have happened I suppose! Not only that but Blackburn and Portsmouth can still go above us (as can Man City but I'm discounting them, they play Liverpool tomorrow), we have to get maximum points next Sunday.

There is nothing good to say from today's game so to be fair, I don't think I'll bother. Where v poor opposition of Derby, Bolton and Birmingham City we won the midfield battle, today the midfield were tame, disinterested and totally not up to speed.

The pre-match with the Vital Villa boys and girls was great, thanks to Dennis Mortimer, Paul Faulkner and The General for popping it, very appreciated. It was also great to meet so many familiar names from over the years and see some familiar faces. The Holte did us proud as ever (thanks Alison) shame the match was such a massive anti-climax.

Hey, a dismal and boring game, but looking on the bright side, at least it didn't rain. :o(

Hopefully they'll pick themselves up now for the visit to Upton Park, its not been a bad season when you think of our squad numbers but they've got to learn to give 100% every game, not just when the feel like it. Manchester United have the ability to show arrogance and still win games, we are nowhere near good enough yet to do that.

Match stats: Click Here

Cheerio Olof Mellberg, it's been emotional!
Average, should not have kept his place all season, Taylor and Sorensen are better. Sorry to see him go with a loss but as usual, he did his part Put in a decent performance although he was beaten a to a few headers by Heskey Put in the effort.
Actually not bad I don't think, although as for all the defenders, I've not seen the replays and have got beer goggles on.
No show Worst I've seen him play, was he half way up the motorway or busy thinking of his meeting with his agent after the game (yes, his agent was there)
Back to his hesitant ball giving away (awful use of English, don't care!) self.
A star of the future for sure, but take off those stupid banana boots and get back to basics! Blown off the ball today.
A lesson to learn from Heskey of how to put himself about. Wasn't, like most of the team, at the races. Got to learn that he can't just do it when it suits him, we expect top performances every game.
Same as Ashley Young, only he had stupid 'super star' red boots on.
No impact. No impact.

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