Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers F.A. Cup 4th Round Post-Match Thread

[Ads]

In response to Russel Crowe, I was entertained. I really enjoyed that, the cold couldn't stop my enjoyment of that.

The Villa are back. Not that we've been away for longer than 12 week mind.

[eamonn]

Yep, even Everton in August when the sun shone it was brass monkeys.

[Walmley_Villa]

NRC is such a limited player, I'm looking forward to Makoun getting in the team.

I thought he played well today and that playing him in front of the defence is his best position. His passing and so on has improved greatly. Not sure Makoun will be up to replacing him just yet based on what I saw at Wigan.

Good performance today and we play some good football now. I thought NRC and Bannan were great. I do like Walker - a marauding fullback at last. The defence did fine and Clark will be a hell of a player. Carlos is playing really well at the moment too. The future is really bright and we hae a very good squad now.

[CJ]

Just about thawing out. Objective of getting into the draw for next round achieved comfortably against a very average Blackburn.

Thought everyone did well but Bannan deserves particular mention - highly mobile, lively and inventive. NRC was comfortable in midfield and Pires was OK -  thought Downing would have offered more in that position but he came on for Gabby (not sure why - did he get a knock?). And the third goal was straight out of the Academy - great to see more quality kids coming through.  Hats off to Sid et al

Thought the red card for Baker was a disgrace - didn't appear to be jumping in - maybe Hoilett pretending to have a triple fracture swayed the ref but he produced the card very quickly. Surprisingly Hoilett made a complete recovery and for the rest of the game you could hardly notice his broken leg at all.  He wasn't the only Blackburn player pretending to be injured either - Andrews was just as bad.

Memorable chants from today - "ten men, we've only got ten men" swiftly followed by "ten fans, you've only got ten fans".  And the "Houllier, Houllier gisawave" followed by boos when he clearly didn't understand what was being chanted - later rectified by translation by Gary McAllister.

Roll on tomorrow's draw

[Bad English]

I've just read Houllier's programme notes on Pravda:

Your vocal backing for the team in our most recent home game ... was incredible and we know we can rely on you again today.

He could have got a sneaky 110% reference in there, if he had wanted to.

[spangley1812]

Good performance and we won, not sure on sending off but I need to see it again and whilst Walker is very good going forward, defensively he is poor, his positioning is poor and no more back heels in our half please. I would worry him against a top side 

[Ads]

I've just read Houllier's programme notes on Pravda:

Your vocal backing for the team in our most recent home game ... was incredible and we know we can rely on you again today.

He could have got a sneaky 110% reference in there, if he had wanted to.

Hey Bobby, what's the French for 'Triffic absolutely triffic?

[olaftab]

I am pleased that we are through. I was worried when I arrived at VP and saw the line up.

Bannan is a little gem. He is going to be top class if he carrys on developing well.

Pires is rubbish but as class can be dispensed whilst standing still his goal was mark of class!

I watched Kyle Walker very carefully  in the second half , today I had a seat in Witton Lane towards the Holte End , and I am not sure about him. Very indecisive and easily moved off the ball , takes up poor  positions and very imobile in tight defencive situations. I really do not think he should start against Manu. Cuellar would be safer.

Shame about Baker but he will learn  from this.

[Ads]

And all done without Dunne, Petrov, Makoun, Ash and Darren Bent (la, la, la, la, la, la, la la!)

[gervilla]

Ger- no man u away is not on tv- sky are showing west brom live I think on tues.

Cheers.
Will have to make do with some dodgy stream that keeps freezing so.

[SashasGrandad]

Good performance from what was virtually a reserve side.

If you consider we did not select/start 
Young (L)  Collins  Dunne  Warnock
Young (A) Petrov Makoon Downing Allbrighton
Bent
Squad looks pretty strong.

Blackburn played almost thier first X1 and never looked a threat even when we had 10 men. Should have made it 4-1 as well.

Clark looks to have a bit of class. Walker great going forward. Baker comfortable till the rush of blood. Coker in control, Pires looked good in a system that suits him (where he doesn't have to run too much!)
Emile has benefitted from the rest. Delfounso enjoyed himself so did Gabby, (Salgado could cope with his pace) Wee Barry still looks like he should be playing for the U13s but he had a good game as well.

[CJ]

.........Wee Barry still looks like he should be playing for the U13s but he had a good game as well....

Was he one of the ones doing the half-time entertainment?

[exigo]

Dear Blackburn

YOUR NIGHTMARE RETURNS

Love, Aston Villa

[django]

Decent performance considering who we had rested.

I thought Pires played his best game for us but was the weakest of the midfield 3. Reo Coker had a busy game, bits of quality.

Carlos was solid. Didn't get much from Delfoneuso out wide. Gabby fared slightly better but a shame he didn't get more runs at Selgado.

The real stand out performances for me were from Bannan and in particular Clark. Really hope we get to see these two, along with Albrighton, at the Villa for many years to come.

From where i was sat in the lower Holte I could see why the red card was given, thought it was two footed and looked like there was contact. Hoilet was their best player in a poor team, i'd be disappointed to finish beneath them this season.

[WikiVilla]

great win, and lets hope for a cushy home draw
Thought Bannan was great today, always wants to be on the ball and has great vision
Funny moments : Holte singing Houllier give us a wave and someone on the bench having to tell Ged to wave
Also in North Stand lower (tunnel sidse) some comedy singers - they were ace with lots of new material
eg. to the tune of Bananarama's - "it aint what you do its the way that you do it"

Who needs Barry when you've got Barry Bannan
Who needs Barry when you've got Barry Bannan
Who needs Barry when you've got Barry Bannan
Ooooohhh Barry Bannan

repeat