Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Post-Match Thread

[not3bad]

Maybe MON really will get the Liverpool job!!

[Dave]

Petrov dropped- at last!

I think you'll find that's "Petrov - rested"

In the same way that I don't think Friedel, Young or Collins have been "dropped" either.

[The Situation]

HAHAHA Bindippers out to League 2 Northampton ''on a famous Carling Cup night at Anfield''.

I wonder which Merseyside manager is gonna get fired first.

[not3bad]

BBC Radio 5 live's Jan Molby: "This was Northampton's night, it was in the stars for this to happen. But for Liverpool to lose, it was absolutely unthinkable before. They were surely always going to make sure they would win this game, weren't they? I think we are seeing the legacy of the Rafael Benitez reign right here, and it's going to take Liverpool a long time to challenge for the top four again."

[Shrek]

One of the worst halfs I can remember, we were shocking.

Totally different second half, GED changed it which was brilliant to see actual tactical nouse, heskey was really good and made Carew look even worse.

What happened to gabby?

I'd send Bannon on loan again, he still looks abit raw for the first team at the moment, but defiantly has a future in my opinion.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Where will highlights of tonights games be shown ?

[KRS]

BBC1 11:30pm

[D.boy]

bbc1 at 11.30 tonight

[west sussex villan]

ssn are showing all the games highlights at the mo

[Somniloquism]

Just back, in haste. From being  Houllier neutral ,I am now Houllier  positive. Petrov dropped- at last!And we looked so much the better for it. Young looked far better and even Heskey looked good.

We might just be back on track!

I will have to rely on yourself as you went. But did we look so much better first half because  most of it the pundits/ reports were we were pretty bad.

But Houliier turned it around by bringing Heskey on and moving Young and Delfounso around. Is that Correct?

[Jimsta]

Where will highlights of tonights games be shown ?

23.30 bbc 1.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Cheers lads. Come on Villa ....

[CJ]

Usually takes me a good hour and a half to get back after the game - tonight just 40 minutes, a reflection on a very low turnout (18,500?). 

First half we looked a bit lost - probably so used to playing a rigid 4-4-2 and first half it kind of changed from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 with Gabby dropping to wide right when we weren't attacking. Bannan struggled to make an impact in the middle, Sidwell was pretty hopeless, and Reo seemed to give possession away. Carew and Ash made the best of a poor performance.  But then, shock horror, a manager who sees things aren't working and changes it at half time! Qu'est-ce que c'est ca?! Bannan looked better wide left with Ash moving to the middle. Sidwell was still poor. Inspired substitution on 58 minutes (not the usual 70 minute Heskey-time) really turned the game and ran out a comfortable win.

Opportunity to look at some fringe players for Houllier, in the hat for the next round, and all in all a good first impression of our new manager - and I was pretty meh about him being appointed. Initial signs are that he'll prove me wrong   

[garyfouroaks]

Petrov dropped- at last!

I think you'll find that's "Petrov - rested"In the same way that I don't think Friedel, Young or Collins have been "dropped" either.

Well if he was simply rested then my estimation of Houllier has dropped.

[armra1972]

After following the match thread here I'm looking forward to our 30 seconds on BBC later to make my own opinion.
Good to see that we have made changes during a match, changes that have made a difference.  Let's hope this continues.