26 years ago today. Pompey, Hodge, Swain and Blake

[Chico Hamilton III]

Steve Hodge was booked in this game. He appealed to the FA, claiming he was the victim of mistaken identity and that the real culprit was.....wait for it....Mark Walters. Easy to get the 2 mixed up, I suppose, if you're a colour blind ref. His appeal was laughed out by the FA

Also, Kenny Swain playing against us. Again.

And Blake






Football: More drama before Turner smiles again
 
By STUART JONES Football Correspondent

14 January 1986

The Times
Aston Villa ............3 Portsmouth .............2
Television viewers may recall seeing a memorable picture of Graham Turner's face 10 days ago. Aston Villa's manager, with the rain dripping like tears off his face, was caught by the cameras after a controversial penalty decision that he feared might have cost his club a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Turner admitted later that the last minute equalizer at Fratton Park had saved him from the sack. Last night he had to endure many more dramas before his side, who had won only one game since the beginning of November, triumphed in the third round replay against Portsmouth at Villa Park to go through to meet Millwall at home.
Villa's opening was potentially sensational. In little over quarter of an hour they created half a dozen geniune opportunities and all they had to show for it was a booking for Gray. The ebullient Scot was cautioned for dissent and, having already served one period of suspension this season, is on the verge of another.
Gray was also responsible for starting Villa's remarkable series of misses. Left free to greet a cross from Walters, he headed towards the corner flag. Immediately Stainrod took too long to consider the possibilities from close range and Elliott, allowed an extravagant amount of time, headed accurately into the arms of Knight.
Walters, with an inspired chip from 25 yards, and Kerr, with an equally spectacular volley, were more wayward and Portsmouth's initial embarrassment was over. Without O'Callaghan, Dillon and Kennedy, through suspension, their reshaped midfield had offered little comfort to a defence that was threatening to fall apart at the seams.
But Villa's purpose and confidence subsided and Portsmouth recovered. A lob from Tait and a drive from Wood, selected in place of Morgan, their leading scorer, almost supplied them with unforsee encouragement. But five minutes before the interval Knight brought down Walters, who was galloping in pursuit of Norton's through ball, and conceded a penalty.
Evans, one of the few survivors from the side that collected the European Cup only four years ago, scored comfortably from the spot to give Villa a clear psychological advantage. They made little, if any, use of it and, after Gray had scorned yet another obvious chance shortly after the interval, they became inconsequential in their approach.
As Gray retreated further from the front line their attack was led by Stainrod, who could never be accused of expending too much energy. Portsmouth's work rate could not be faulted and they were given a belated reward for their industry as well as their industry as well as their ability by Stanley's firm drive some seven minutes before the end of normal time.
Walters still had time to settle the protracted affair but his profligacy was forgotten as Villa took control at the start of their explosive period of extra time. After Knight had parried Kerr's ferocious volley, Hodge invited Stainrod to tap in simply from a couple of yards. Before the change of ends Stainrod nodded in the third from Birch's lob.
But Birch, who claimed the equalizer at Fratton Park, was to lift Portsmouth almost instantly by pushing Wood inside the area. Stanley added his second from the ensuing penalty to reduce the defict and but for an astonishing save by Spink from Hilaire in the closing minute, Portsmouth, who took Tottenham Hotspur to three games in the Milk Cup, might have repeated the feat. At the end Turner's fall was creased with smiles.
ASTON VILLA: N Spink, D Norton, A Dorigo, A Evans, P Elliott, P Birch, P Kerr, S Stainrod, A Gray, S Hodge, M Walters.
PORTSMOUTH: A Knight; K Swain, C Sandford, G Stanley, N Blake, W Gilbert, S McGarvey, M Talt, M Channon (sub: N Morgan), P Wood, V Hilaire.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

On paper at least that looks like it should have been the basis of a decent team. 

[Chico Hamilton III]

Mad - only 2 European Cup winners in that team

I remember the Millwal game in the next round as well. Only aboiut 15,000 at Villa Park and the half time entertainment consisted of half a dozen paratroopers abseiling down the North Stand in front of the Millwall fans.

Dark days

[nigel]

Mad - only 2 European Cup winners in that team

Yes, Turner had ripped the heart out of the team. Tried to turn us into Shrewsbury I think.

[nick harper]

Mad - only 2 European Cup winners in that team

Yes, Turner had ripped the heart out of the team. Tried to turn us into Shrewsbury I think.

Not entirely fair I don't think. Tony Barton had already begun to make changes and Ellis was keen to see the back of that team so one or two were forced out.

No doubt that the way that side was broken up so quickly coupled with the poor treatment of Tony Barton contributed to the alarming decline of the club. Even then though we were producing quality home grown players - Walters, Birch, Dorigo who should have been the basis of a much better side.

[Dr Butler]

Mad - only 2 European Cup winners in that team

Yes, Turner had ripped the heart out of the team. Tried to turn us into Shrewsbury I think.

Not entirely fair I don't think. Tony Barton had already begun to make changes and Ellis was keen to see the back of that team so one or two were forced out.

No doubt that the way that side was broken up so quickly coupled with the poor treatment of Tony Barton contributed to the alarming decline of the club. Even then though we were producing quality home grown players - Walters, Birch, Dorigo who should have been the basis of a much better side.

I agree with that Nick

[Damo70]

The best quote in that piece is about Stainrod. "Could never be accused of expending too much energy".I remember vividly the shot of Turner from the first game that is mentioned at the start of the report. The strange thing is though that although I would have been there I have no memory of that game. Yet I can clearly remember playing them in the league cup three years before when they had Alan Biley and Mark Hateley up front and brought a very large and noisy following.

[Hoppo]

Jesus. Was at the first game as a 15year old innocent!!!! schoolboy. Lets just say I had to man up after the game.

[Witton Warrior]

The best quote in that piece is about Stainrod. "Could never be accused of expending too much energy"

The wh0le piece drips with sarcasm - did someone get Stuart Jones a cold pie that night?