Not The Dream Start We All Wanted

I suppose after two games we were expecting to be top of the league, turns out if we turn the table upside down we are. Not the story I wanted to be telling my boyfriend; who may I add supports Manchester United *cough* glory hunter *cough*; after his week away in Egypt. I would have preferred to have bragged about Villa's amazing start to the season, and United's loss to Everton. Unfortunately he'll probably enjoy tormenting me on the recent poor results of my beloved Aston Villa.

I say poor results, they have only been poor results. We've had decent displays, in patches in both matches. More so in the first game of the season, rather than the latter against a high flying Everton side who could be a force once again in the Premier League - maybe even this season's Newcastle. If that makes sense.

West Ham 1-0 Aston Villa
"We didn't have the cutting edge"

The start of the new Paul Lambert era and certainly a wave goodbye to Alex McLeish's saw the beginning of the 2012/13 Premier League season for Aston Villa. They begun at Upton Park, where facing them was Sam Alladyce's claret and blue men; the returning West Ham United that had just battled their way back into the top flight.

Memories of Gabby Agbonlahor's winner two seasons ago still lingered in the air, as well as a new found optimism from the travelling Villa faithful.

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The game started in the visitors favour, summer signing Brett Holman spurned the first chance of the afternoon to test Jussi Jaskelainen after he found a pocket of space outside West Ham's area however the Australian blazed his right-footed effort wide of the goal.
Villa continued their dominance in possession and looked transformed from the languid unit which limped to an uninspiring 16th-placed finish in the league last year under McLeish. The approach work was well-intentioned as they passed the ball, just as if it was a new born, for long periods, enjoying the majority of possession.

Karim El Ahmadi was tidy in possession in central midfield alongside Fabian Delph, who mirrored the Morocco international superbly, while Stephen Ireland showed a neatness and vision on the ball which has seemed to desert him since his days at Manchester City.

The only problem was that despite the whole pretty possessional play business, we got no where with it. There was a lack of service for the big man Darren Bent, who was making his first league appearance since being injured in February. To be quite honest, he might as well have remained on the treatment table. It's not all his fault seeing as with no service, he won't score. He's that type of striker, let's face it, and the sooner we can get a forward that isn't afraid to get involved with play in the better. The memories of the ammunition Bent used to get from Ashley Young and Stewart Downing seemed as remote as ever.

West Ham did score in the 40th minute through a Kevin Nolan tap in, after a neatly taken free kick floated over the top of former Villa man James Collin's head, to the feet of Vaz Te who, oblivious to the linesman's flag slotted it to Nolan who passed it into the net. The offside flag had been raised however the referee over ruled the decision, leading to a questionable goal which was later resolved after seeing Match of the Day.

******

Aston Villa 1-3 Everton
"The early goal really knocked Villa"

It took exactly two minutes and thirty-five seconds to rock the home side on their heels, as Steven Pienaar’s beautiful early strike took the sting out of anything Villa might have had to offer.

With the roll of thunder rumbling before kick off, the added electrical change did nothing to ease the nerves of the fans, players or manager.

The Scot made three changes from the team that started the season off. Stephen Ireland, Fabian Delph and Brett Holman were replaced by Chris Herd, Barry Bannan and Nathan Delfouneso. Yet the changes seemed to make no difference as Steven Pienaar found plenty of space in a mix-matched midfield, where he let fire. His swirling shot flung into the back of the net, leaving Shay Given and the rest of Aston Villa Football Club stunned, gobsmacked in fact.

However, Everton weren't done yet. They came in waves. Wave after wave, attack after attack. One led to a second. Fellani's thumping (over exaggeration, just makes Given's mistake sound a little more comforting) header fumbled past the Irishman. Then two became three when Jelavic slotted neatly into the bottom left hand corner of the host's net after smart interplay between David Moyes' men.

Let me add this was all before half time. And once half time arrived the players were 'serenaned' to a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Some habits never die hard.

The introduction of Brett Holman after half time seemed ineffective for the first part of the second half as Everton carried on their vibrant display at Villa Park.

Matters turned even more sour when Jelavic strode free, with Ciaran Clark not far behind. With a clip of the heels, the big man fell to the ground. A red card was shown, and that was that. Villa were down to ten men, three nil down.

Comeback was quite surely off.

However, Karim El Ahmadi perhaps ignited a little fire that burned inside when he found a small bit of space in a compacted Everton setup. Encouraged by the fans to let rip, he well and truly did. His shot, taking a slight deflection on the way, dipped and twisted before spiralling past the fingertips of Tim Howard.

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Despite getting a goal back, and showing character in the closing twenty minutes. Not even the clever work of Holman, who released a ball straight into the path of substitute Andreas Weimann whose shot came back of the post, could get just one more goal back in a match that had been dead and buried in the first half.

******

The Premier League

Dangerous Football. When Chris Herd, lunged in for a header yesterday, missed and crashed head first into the goal post. From where I was sitting it seemed like a very terrifying incident which was instantly replayed in high definition from several different angles. After a couple of minutes, the young Australian climbed groggily to his feet and played on. He seemed all right, even coming close to scoring when he did manage to strike the ball with his forehead in the second half. But it was a scary reminder that football, like any sport where fit young men hurl themselves around, carries risks. That point was brought chillingly later in the afternoon, as Drogba lay for a long period unmoving on the grass at Stamford Bridge. Drogba plays as if he would, and could, run through brick walls. He showed all his power, athleticism and strength as he sprinted forward and leapt to John Ruddy, the Norwich keeper, under a bouncing ball. And suddenly Drogba's vulnerable humanity was exposed. The two collided. Drogba appeared to be already unconscious as he fell. His head smashed into the turf. Later sent off for tripping Ramires, John Ruddy seemed to get out of being red carded for this seious challenge. It was challenge which is seen many times, yet it ended with Drogba strapped immobile to a stretcher with an oxygen mask on his face. He was taken to a hospital and was released after tests. The club later reported that he had suffered only a concussion.

Manchester City. I'm not a fan of buying players for such a lot of money, but fair play to them. They've spent their money on players who are influential and change games. For example, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Kun Aguero, just to name a few. Against Tottenham Hotspur today, I actually wouldn't have watched the game if I knew that City would hammer Spurs. Over the past two seasons these two teams have created an exciting end-to-end game, which has decided whether or not they'll be playing in the Champions League. Manchester City's class shown throught though, winning 5-1 against a very, very poor Spurs side.

"He's A Bluenose Though." The banks of empty seats said more about the home club. Villa is historically a huge club. It is the biggest team in Britain's second-biggest city. 'The City is Ours!' It finished second in the first Premier League season. Now, it is a finishing school for Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City. Fan frustration boiled over when Alex McLeish was appointed from despised and relegated neighbors Birmingham City. The fundamental problem is not that McLeish is a "bluenose." It's that his hiring suggests that Randy Lerner, has given up hope of breaking into the top four. The two previous appointments, Martin O'Neill and Gerard Houllier, suggested the club thought it might be possible to go toe-to-toe with the big boys. Which with O'Neill that did happen and given Houllier was fit enough to carry on we could have been. Although McLeish did win a couple of Scottish titles during his checkered reign at Rangers, there has been nothing in his recent past, that suggests he will break Villa's soul-sapping 12-season streak of finishing somewhere between sixth and 16th. What we learned Saturday was what most Villa fans already knew, this team is not going to be in contention nor is it in danger of relegation.

Fulham 0-0 Aston Villa

When I looked at Aston Villa's fixtures and I saw Fulham, what cams into my head was a draw. I'd be happy with a draw. So, I'm happy to say, I'm happy with the draw.

I was optimistic as always like many and I thought, yeah we could nick a win here. Well, that was before the game.

After the first half I was pretty impressed with how we were played and how Fulham weren't playing and in my mind I was still thinking, we can win this. I realised that I'd definitely jinxed it when the whistle blew for the second half. Fulham looked decent, yes not excellent or amazing but decent and better than us. They had obviously had a ticking off in the dressing room after their lazy first half performance.

The first half got off to a poor start, with N'Zogbia showing that he still hasn't discovered his defensive side of the game. Without following, Riisse (however you spell it), it allowed him to fire a shot over the bar. Oh dear! Not to worry, we then got our backsides into first gear and started to add a little pressure here and there. A variety of passing to mix it up, for once we looked stable defensively and broke on the counter superbly. However none of the three clear chances we had could be converted and push that gear up a few levels. The three noteable chances came from an Emile Heskey header which swept over the bar, a skipper Stan's shot just scraping the same bar and a James Collins' header from a flighted Charles N'Zogbia cross flying six yards wide.

The second half was started by Fulham and ended by a last ditch attempt from Villa. Even though Fulham were the better team in the second half and had all the better chances on goal, a revived partnership in Collins and Richard Dunne made sure there was no clear path through on goal. Even when Fulham managed to brake the defence and find gaps, hero Shay Given; making his first Aston Villa start in the Premier League; was there to firmly hang on.

I had both the stream on whilst listening to Bluenose Tom Ross and towards the end of sick of him saying Darren Bent's name. Repeating several time "One chance, that's all Darren Bent needs, one chance, he's a goalscorer..." We do have another two strikers on the pitch mate!

Conclusion: A well fought battle in the first half, a great point away from home against a good, well drilled side. Gabby cannot play wide. N'Zogbia isn't fit. Albrighton should start cause he's a little gem. Darren Bent needs more service and Shay Given has got to be one of the best buys for this season.

My man of the match goes to; drumroll please... James Collins, closely followed by Shay Given and Richard Dunne.

It's Just Days Away!

Let’s rewind right back to 1982 when Aston Villa lifted the European Cup, thirty years ago. Peter Withe scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich. Now let’s come right back to now where Alex McLeish stands in the dugout with a claret and blue tie hanging from his collar. With the start of the Barclays Premier League just five days away, Aston Villa look forward to an exciting ten months of competitive football.  

Who stands in front of the first three points? Martin Jol and his Fulham side. Fulham are one of those sides who tend to linger mid-table never moving, improving or going into decline. Last season’s Craven Cottage visit was the stage for the Marc Albrighton’s goal of the season after Bary Bannan’s Hollywood pass, cutting Fulham’s defence in half to allow Albrighton to slot clinically past a helpless Mark Schwarzer. Unfortunately for Aston Villa, Fulham did come back and score a goal through a 94^th minute equaliser by defender Brede Hangeland.

Prediction: 1-2

Knocking at the door for their second Premier League match is Blackburn Rovers. Yes, again. Already this season have we beaten Steve Kean’s blue and white army 1-0 thanks to Darren Bent. When Christopher Samba, Blackburn’s big centre-half, was asked “Are you bored of playing Villa 4 or 5 times every year?” he replied: “Yes to be fair, that’s already one.” For the second time this season, Aston Villa will be looking to beat them, with flare, attack and style in front of their home fans for the first time this campaign. With the likes of Charles N'Zogbia, Marc Albrighton and Darren Bent leading the line along with a revived Stephen Ireland, midfield beasts Stiliyan Petrov and Jean II Makoun and Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey there to provide extra ammunition we should certainly be in for a treat. Let's not forget our defence in this, new goalie Shay Given, and a reunited back four, Stephen Warnock, James Collins, Richard Dunne and Luke Young, we look set to be hard to brake. Even if they manage to break the back four, still stands Given, looking sharper than ever.

Prediction: 3-0

Our attentions then turn to this tasty Midlands derby against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The dingles make their way to Villa Park for this ever exciting encounter. Points were shared last season, three points to Villa and three points to Wolves. Villa were surely be looking for revenge after leaving fans outraged, exclaiming to Gerard Houllier “You’re getting sacked in the morning!” following a 1-0 defeat thanks to a Matt Jarvis cracker. However, in the reverse fixture it proved more to fans likings as in Houllier's first fixture as Villa manager Heskey became the hero, scoring a winner towards the end of the match. You doin't often say that Emile Heskey would get Gerard Houllier his first set of Premier League points since his Liverpool departure, would you? Let's just hope he has his shooting boots on come the Saturday August 27th.

Prediction 2-2