Crystal Palace 2 - Aston Villa 2

good full bloodied cup tie I think. Wish we'd gone for it from the start with 2 up front, one of the 2 being Fonz but hey ho, we live to fight another day, better than a cup shock exit.

"Honest assessment, we mugged them of a draw today and Warnock was right, the corner for our equiliser never was." I can't agree with you. Palace were very good value for the draw, but Warnock is notoriously one-eyed after matches, and you just give him credibility. The truth is that - with a slowed-down replay - our 2nd goal came from a corner that should not have been given. However, Warnock has conveniently forgotten (a) their goal against Wolves which should also not have happened, and (b) at least two occasions when Villa players were given offside when they were clearly not. Warnock (and you) need to accept that stuff happens in football matches, and it is the number of times you stick the ball in the net that counts. A brilliant, traditional cup tie, only marginally spoiled by the sour grapes that followed.

"Honest assessment, we mugged them of a draw today and Warnock was right, the corner for our equiliser never was." I can't agree with you. Palace were very good value for the draw, but Warnock is notoriously one-eyed after matches, and you just give him credibility. The truth is that - with a slowed-down replay - our 2nd goal came from a corner that should not have been given. However, Warnock has conveniently forgotten (a) their goal against Wolves which should also not have happened, and (b) at least two occasions when Villa players were given offside when they were clearly not. Warnock (and you) need to accept that stuff happens in football matches, and it is the number of times you stick the ball in the net that counts. A brilliant, traditional cup tie, only marginally spoiled by the sour grapes that followed.

this replay isn't going to do us any favors. terrible officials on every part of the pitch. friedel should have handled the two goals much better (though I won't deny Ambrose - it was a fantastic freekick). the pitch was absolutely awful. and Alan Lee is a complete ****. all that aside, very happy with the draw. providing we play better than today and they play worse than today, we should see ourselves through to a tasty derby match! [Edited by FearVilla]

this replay isn't going to do us any favors. terrible officials on every part of the pitch. friedel should have handled the two goals much better (though I won't deny Ambrose - it was a fantastic freekick). the pitch was absolutely awful. and Alan Lee is a complete ****. all that aside, very happy with the draw. providing we play better than today and they play worse than today, we should see ourselves through to a tasty derby match! [Edited by FearVilla]

another also moment - was I the only one thinking Gabby would have had a field day today?

Bob not sure you can call Warnock one eyed when we have our very own Monny. Sour grapes or not, that seems like picking your favourite between two evenly matched competitors. Everybody could see that was never a corner, and with our offsides that never were with the state of our live ball crossing today do you really think it would've mattered?

1982benny, you think we had a plan, I simply feel MON picks his favourite 11 players and sends them out onto the pitch, end of planning as far as I can tell, but hey we are still in it, and two winnable but not easy, games away from a semi appearance

No mention of the red card that Lee should have been given.If it had caught Warnock flush it could have been very nasty.Draw a fair result.

My point, Mike, is that both teams had things to complain about, so why support Warnock's view - and knock your own team in the process - while ignoring our own claims. Either balance your report up or leave both claims out. As for the "state of our live ball crossing", ours was very mixed today - some of it was poor but some was excellent - did you not see any good stuff? Both of our "offsides" were situations where we had completely sprung their offside trap, and would not have needed to cross anything.

yeah ant1ant1 thats why i said "whatever it was" as i wasnt really sure lol. still a couple of positives to take from the game. we never stopped battling as ive seen us lose alot of those games over the years and were still in the cup which is great especially with the teams left in it. and hey should be able to generate some much needed money for palace i know its of the subjct but its such a shame whats going on today. perhaps our generous owner will donate the gate reciepts from the replay to palace i wouldnt put it past him anyway.

It was a fair result C Palace were very good, they will be very good again in the replay, we need to up the tempo and play 'The Fonz' from the start, I wonder when one of our strikers will score again, I'm going to be generous and go for April

It was a fair result C Palace were very good, they will be very good again in the replay, we need to up the tempo and play 'The Fonz' from the start, I wonder when one of our strikers will score again, I'm going to be generous and go for April

I agree, nice for Palace to get the replay money wise, never nice for the fans to be facing losing their club

Heskey should never start a game to be fair, I thought John Carew looked very very good today he created a lot and had 3 or 4 attempts unlike emile heskey

Benji why pray tell would Gabby have had a field day ?

I thought Big JC done really well, only striker that had decent attempts on goal

i am going to take credit for draw today....unbeknown to me, my Chelsea supporting daughter had slipped into her blue Villa away shirt whilst i wasn't looking and by the time i noticed, we were 2-1 down. Needless to say, i told her to get changed (we always seem to lose when she wears it) she reappeared with a luminous yellow Frankie Lampard top and lo and behold Petrov scored...so thanks are in order i believe!!!!

Can't agree fully with article. Great traditional cup tie and I thought we were well worth the draw. We started really well and could easily have been a couple of goals ahead before Palace went ahead from a corner that was not taken legitimately if we want to be technical Mr Warnock! After that Palace were excellent but I still think we fully deserved a replay. On replay, no it wasn't a corner, but these decisions always happen in every match. You have to get on with, and defend properly. Palace didn't, and another great dead ball delivery led to the equaliser from my man of the match (from Villa side) Super Stylian

Can't agree fully with article. Great traditional cup tie and I thought we were well worth the draw. We started really well and could easily have been a couple of goals ahead before Palace went ahead from a corner that was not taken legitimately if we want to be technical Mr Warnock! After that Palace were excellent but I still think we fully deserved a replay. On replay, no it wasn't a corner, but these decisions always happen in every match. You have to get on with, and defend properly. Palace didn't, and another great dead ball delivery led to the equaliser from my man of the match (from Villa side) Super Stylian

Ref gave us no protection today,they fouled non stop right from the start and the game decended into a shoving match.Defenders can wrestle fowards in the box and its fine,they need to stamp down on the ball beng placed outside the quandrant for corners.

Bob - Why support his view, I happened to be listening to the comments at the point of writing. Nothing more, nothing less and the fact remains he was right. I don't have to support or reject his view, because either way it's right. Had Monny conducted an after match interview I'd have no doubt included a pearl of wisdom of his aswell, but he didn't so I couldn't. Had he done so I'd have probably commented on the red card aswell and commented that if I did that to my neighbour I certainly wouldn't get cautioned.

Difference was though, again like it or not, the non corner led to our equiliser. Doesn't mean Lee shouldn't have been redded after the elbow on Warnock BUT that wasn't a direct goal opportunity (and we saw how we do against 10 men very recently so nobody can claim it would've opened the game up for us). As for knocking my own team, we were awful...I don't need to knock them and in fact scoured for some positivity and focused on the fact that we don't lie down and die now like we would in previous years as something to be thankful for. But if pointing out a dire refereeing decision means knocking my team, so be it - it wasn't a corner and Palace in that moment were robbed. Similarly with the offsides, the abiding one in my mind is Delboy who was wide of the goal had he even collected it, so a shot wasn't on, a cross would be the option but that's assuming Carew or somebody else would've bothered heading for the box. It wasn't a clear goal opportunity, so I'm not going to compare it to a corner that never was that created a goal. Fair do's if you are thinking of a more related one I've forgotten I'll grant you that and I could well be wrong on that point.

But overall crossing for me was as dire as we've ever seen it, set piece delivery was different - Downing for Collins for example, but from live play we rarely beat the first man, and when we did we mostly hit it out for a goalkick. Ok the pitch wasn't perfect and wouldn't have helped, but I don't see it as my job to create excuses when all season our delivery has left questions open.

Benny from all I've heard we are forgoing gate receipts today, not seen it confirmed though, but agree it would be a nice touch.

krfeskivilla the commentators explained the ball only has to shadow the line, not technically touch it, so their corner was fair game. Yes it was news to me aswell.

Bob - Why support his view, I happened to be listening to the comments at the point of writing. Nothing more, nothing less and the fact remains he was right. I don't have to support or reject his view, because either way it's right. Had Monny conducted an after match interview I'd have no doubt included a pearl of wisdom of his aswell, but he didn't so I couldn't. Had he done so I'd have probably commented on the red card aswell and commented that if I did that to my neighbour I certainly wouldn't get cautioned.

Difference was though, again like it or not, the non corner led to our equiliser. Doesn't mean Lee shouldn't have been redded after the elbow on Warnock BUT that wasn't a direct goal opportunity (and we saw how we do against 10 men very recently so nobody can claim it would've opened the game up for us). As for knocking my own team, we were awful...I don't need to knock them and in fact scoured for some positivity and focused on the fact that we don't lie down and die now like we would in previous years as something to be thankful for. But if pointing out a dire refereeing decision means knocking my team, so be it - it wasn't a corner and Palace in that moment were robbed. Similarly with the offsides, the abiding one in my mind is Delboy who was wide of the goal had he even collected it, so a shot wasn't on, a cross would be the option but that's assuming Carew or somebody else would've bothered heading for the box. It wasn't a clear goal opportunity, so I'm not going to compare it to a corner that never was that created a goal. Fair do's if you are thinking of a more related one I've forgotten I'll grant you that and I could well be wrong on that point.

But overall crossing for me was as dire as we've ever seen it, set piece delivery was different - Downing for Collins for example, but from live play we rarely beat the first man, and when we did we mostly hit it out for a goalkick. Ok the pitch wasn't perfect and wouldn't have helped, but I don't see it as my job to create excuses when all season our delivery has left questions open.

Benny from all I've heard we are forgoing gate receipts today, not seen it confirmed though, but agree it would be a nice touch.

krfeskivilla the commentators explained the ball only has to shadow the line, not technically touch it, so their corner was fair game. Yes it was news to me aswell.

Mike the commentator was talking crap... LAW 17 – THE CORNER KICK A corner kick is a method of restarting play. A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team. Procedure • The ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line Thats from THIS years rules. And I believe there has been a directive this season for "assistant Refs" to actually make sure this is happening.

"We were awful" - I can only think that I was watching a different match, or that you believe we should have won this match easily, simply because we're the Prem team. Palace were very, very good today and have already knocked out one Prem team. They were at home. Fans and club are all currently united against the common enemy (administration) and are playing out of their skins for an influential manager. I can only imagine you thought this should have been an "easy" game. As for only mentioning Warnock's comments, I'm sorry but I think that's a cop-out. If we don't have balanced reports on a Villa fan website, where else will we read them?

we didn't play well but we got a draw that happens in all cup runs so onwards and upwards.... we're on our way to wembley twice maybe beating baggies and brum on the way......up the villa.

I reckon palace will beat west brom or reading

Delfouneso - again - showed that he has the quality to be playing, week in, week out, in the Premiership, despite the fact he was short of quality service. He needs to be given the opportunity to play consistently and realise his potential, and it would be criminal if it were'nt at Villa that he did that. If only we had a manager who believed in giving youth its head... And does anyone think that today's game improved Guzan's chances of playing in the cup final? Friedel was hopeless on crosses today. Then again, he has become a serial flapper in his old age; this isn't a recent development. How ironic that Guzan's place is under threat because of doubts over his own competence in this area.

I rekon Villa could too babb

"A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team." lol is you can manage to score an own goal from the opposing corner it should most definately count and go down as goal of the century!!!

sorry ' if you can manage...'

Cheers Rev, as I said it was news to me but fair play in the grand scheme of things then that does balance it out. No problems admitting that, even though some will no doubt think it's a climb down lol

So that gives us a technically fair 1-1 where personally I still feel we mugged Palace. Comment away boys......

Bob I'd leave off thinking what you think I think if I was you. Today was never going to be easy but I don't see that as an excuse for us being unable to cross a live ball, or pass 5 yards so badly at points. We have International class players, paid more in a week than me or you would see combined in a year for the most part yet Palace outplayed us for the majority of the match. They were tactically better, they performed better, they did the basics better. I really don't see why me pointing this out is a problem? Fair's fair for me, ok it's well known I can no longer stand the Messiah and think he makes more mistakes (subs, formation, selection etc) than Mr Mistako of Mistaken Street and lives off good PR and supposed past glories ie Leics punching above their weight and getting one of the only clubs in Scotland likely to win anything to erm win something but if you look back at all my comments when we perform I have no problem saying so. When Monny gets it right I have no problems saying so.

But it seems these days unless you are on board with Monny as the greatest replica of Clough nothing you say, that is truthful, can be considered as anything but a continuation of some desire to see us fail so the doubters are proven right.

We were awful today. Why can't you admit it? And in admitting it, why can't you then like me, dissect the crap but find solace in the fact we kept going, we kept battling and whether deserved or not, we dragged out a draw that gives us another shot at the cherry which in fact on home soil should make it far easier for us to progress.

You keep harping 'easy game', and assuming that's my mindset. I thought today would be exactly what it was. I did however expect to see a more sensibly line up, fewer injured or returning from injury players given the 'poor me' problems O'Neill spouted earlier in the week let alone the rotation nonsense he keeps carping about and I did think scrappy or not we'd nick it and be able to pass 5 yards accurately and maybe put in some simple things like a cross. We didn't and we got the draw regardless, why should that stop me from pointing out we were crap? Because I actually agree with everything you say about seige mentality and Palace's circs meaning they will go to the death.

As for balanced reports, sadly this may come as a shock but you come to 'fansites' to read 'fan' comments, if you want true journalistic balance then the idea would be you read a media outlet, although I grant you thesedays most media outlets actually have agendas and biases of their own. This is why so many think we have a young team, and we play quick counter attacking football and never NEVER hoof it, so on fansites you just suffer reaction and honest opinions instead which is all I ever give.

Suppose that's as polite as I'll be given you say my truth was a cop out although I notice you don't comment on the lack of interview from the man you think isn't one eyed. Maybe you'll prefer the official site where truth and criticism, rightly, just isn't entertained because there's a party line to follow. I don't know. But considering you seem to disagree with me permanently Bob, pen you own thoughts and they get published and then you'll have your balance and more importantly I can get to respect your view more than you do mine.

Wow - don't have time to respond to all of your comments, Mike, although I do appreciate your viewpoint. Let me just say this: my criticism of your article was simply based on the point I made - that I thought that you might have mentioned some of the 'unfairness' that afflicted our result as well as highlighting that which affected Palace. Far from not respecting you, I do - I'd much rather see somebody actually stating their views of Martin O'Neill than those who pretend otherwise. In that way the subject can be debated. But wasn't that what we were doing? You accuse somebody (not sure who) of stifling debate; but I'm not. I simply criticised one aspect of your article. Not your views of tactics, etc., just one aspect. Would you rather I didn't? Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

Can I comment on just one thing too, surely a side that includes, Gabby, A Young, Downing, Milner, Warnock, Collins, Cuellar IS a fairly young side by premiership standards, if you add Delph, The Fonz and C Davies in place of Heskey/Carew, Petrov and Dunne, which is not an enormous leap to imagine by the start of next season, then none of the outfield players is out of their twenties, that must be very unusual for a premiership team, especially a front 6 of Gabby, Fonz, A Young, Downing, Milner, Delph is very young, and even if you add back in Petrov and Dunne these two are only around 29/30 mark hardly ancient, yes Heskey or Carew bump up the average age a bit, but hey can't be long now hopefully, before we say cheerio, thanks for coming

I only watched game on TV and actually really enjoyed it. I really didn't think we were awful at all, but came up against an inspired Palace team playing as well as they possibly could. However, I have just met 4 fans in pub who had been to game and DID think we were poor. I always bow to the opinion of those who have seen game live!

I only watched game on TV and actually really enjoyed it. I really didn't think we were awful at all, but came up against an inspired Palace team playing as well as they possibly could. However, I have just met 4 fans in pub who had been to game and DID think we were poor. I always bow to the opinion of those who have seen game live!

I watched on TV and was "frustrated". I suppose thats partly because when you look at the two sides, well we really should have won that. Yes Palace who are a good Championship side, played above themselves. Yes we didn't play as well as we can. And yes it's anybody's game at the end of the day - it's a one off match. We did play well in patches, and I was so elated at the equaliser I ran round the room saying something like "jolly well done lads", frightened the dog, swore and got sent to my room! Much to the kids amusement! BUT, I kinda find myself agreeing with SOME of what Mike is saying, the crossing was very poor, and it was in the last match. Decisions on passing under pressure were 50/50 good and poor. There were bright points. But I find myself disappointed. Were we robbed? No. were they robbed, no. A draw was a fair result, and it was a good cup game for a neutral, but I want us to win and win well those games. Maybe I wasn't praying the right things?

The draw was a fair result although I am a bit disappointed. We didn't play as good as previous matches or perhaps we just don't get used to take initiative. This match could not perform our usual defense momentum so we gave away the 1st goal easily. Probably tiredness is one of the major explanations after battling matches with Spurs and United. Heskey was not a right choice this match as he didn't create much threat and looked getting injured so easily. Waste of sub quota I do reckon. No doubt Crystal Palace played really well although I really hate that Alan Lee.... looking forward to watching the rematch and I expect the big crowd at Villa Park. Up the Villa! Michael from Hong Kong

Hi Michealyw. Kung hei fat choi from another HK-based Villa supporter! I thought Mike was quite harsh on the boys (for a change!). I thought we were in complete control until their first goal and up until when their second went in. I really don't know what else MON can do though. Delph played from the outset... most people wanted that. The Fonz came on for a decent run out... could have been longer and I would love to see how he links up with either Heskey or Carew for a full match, but most people on the site have been calling for this. The subs this time around seemed entirely sensible given the situation and Big JC looked like our most likely goal source. BUT, credit to Palace. Fantastic performance by them and fully deserved the draw. I've got no complaints about the draw and no complaints about our level of commitment. UTV.

The big problem is that we have a "squad". At this point it consists of 13-14 players for MON. Surely in the FA cup we rotate out some of the injured (petrov, warnock) players and the regulars who play every match (dunne, Ash, milner). Surely we should also be giving Brad Jr Guzan a run? Why aren't we running with the policy of drafting in some young blood or atleast using the Beye's of our squad? Instead of just running our first 11 into the ground!

Villan57 - I felt Gabby would have had a field day due to the fact that their two centerbacks weren't alll that cash. the fonz sprung them a couple times but didn't really have enough time to force an impact. With Gabby's pace, new-found strength and recent performances, I feel pretty confident in saying he could have got us a couple today.

or he would have won us penalties where ashley failed.

Astriel, I think Mons rotation policy is to rotate them out when they are no longer capable of starting or really are knackered. Hence Mon will play with his 12 or 13 best. If they do not become injured or really knackered then they will continue to play twice a week. The rest of the squad is for when he has no choice or when he is feeling less passionate about a particular competition.

To be fair, I haven't got a clue what I would do, cos I just don't know, from watching the other squad players in reserve matches and training, what they are capable of and how much worse they are than the favourite 12 or 13.
However we are in a cup final, still in the FA cup and not too far off 4th place. I can only guess that something is being done right.
As for the Palace game, there is always 2 teams on the pitch and we live to fight another day. Great, best make sure we all visit villa park for the replay and cheer us on to another final.