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

[Villafirst]

Great game, we were in total control through out, even after the sending off.

Bannan was running the midfield, Pires was shit but overall a great game where we rested alot of key players.

No Pires wasn't 'shit' If you had the brain to watch the game properly he and Bannan linked the game very well in the first half - which basically set the win up by half-time. GET TOUR SELF DOWN TO SPECSAVERS!

[eamonn]

GHou's post-match reaction from Pravda:

Gerard Houllier was thrilled to keep the "winning edge" against Blackburn in the FA Cup - and hailed the experience and youth of Robert Pires and Barry Bannan in midfield.

Houllier admits one of his aims was maintaining the momentum, following wins over Manchester City and Wigan - and the boss was delighted that his team delivered.

He pinpointed the performances of Pires and Bannan in dominating the central area in the fourth round clash.


He said: "One of our missions was to keep the winning edge and momentum.

"We played better in the first half. It was a different game after being down to 10 men. I am as proud of their efforts in the second half as in the first half because we had to show discipline and tactical adjustments to the situation.

"We kept a clean sheet when we were down to 10 men which is good. The commitment and passing has improved a lot.

"There was a combination of youth and experience in midfield. Robert played against Sheffield United and I think he is getting better and better. He will help.

"He still has the touch and the eye for the pass. He brings some fluency to the game with his technique.

"I was pleased by the reaction of the bench when he scored. That was very telling. The whole bench went up. They were very happy and proud for him.

"He is popular - the boys like him. He is a nice man. We have to understand that he hasn't got the legs that he once had. But he can still run.

"Barry is taking on board a few things. I am very pleased with him.

"I told him that instead of playing 100 miles per hour all the time, you can play 50 or 60 miles per hour and sometimes 120. But that's youth.

"If you play 50 miles per hour, you will be more comfortable in your skill and see things and probably start a good move and things like that. But at the same time, you don't want to curb that appetite, that generosity and that will to go forward."

Houllier thought the second half dismissal of Nathan Baker was harsh but revealed the club won't be appealing the decision.

He added: "It looked harsh from where I was but I can understand that the referee is in totally a different angle.

"He was thinking of feet off the ground but I don't think it was.

"The boy will learn. He didn't need to do that, particularly in the midfield. He was devastated. He has done well. It was his second game."

[Chris Smith]

Three wins in a week with a different side each time. We have a squad!

Bannan had his best game for us, looked much more composed.

Well done Gerard.

[villasjf]

That was fun to watch. All goals at our end is always a bonus.
Thought Blackburn were bloody awful and we played rather well.

The early berating of Pires led me to say that he would score so I claim half his goal. He was very slow though. He had a chance of getting a shot away in the first half and took 3 steps around the ball before being tackled. He is poor.

Thought everyone played well today despite a weird call from Carlos just before they scored as he called for the ball out wide and then failed to clear it and Rovers eventually scored.

Crowdwatch - was OK despite the 26,000. The sending-off actually woke things up nicely. To the bloke who tried to start up the "Andy Gray M'lord" thing you were funny the first 3 times. The fact you then went on to shout "nigger" when a black player for Rovers received the ball sort of proved what a dick you sounded originally. General displeasure stopped him saying it again. Also - I think Blackburn have won something in the past 100 years chaps...

I thought both teams looked like they were stuck in second gear for most of the match, felt sorry for the sendind off, I think the ref reacted to their whole bench running on to the touch line, Baker looks like another quality player coming through, he wants the ball and crossed well for the 3rd, he is a centre half playing out of position.

[Walmley_Villa]

Good honest commentd from GH, he has really grown on me over the past few weeks. More explanation in those few words than in 4 years of MoN.

[Monty]

Fascinating about Bannan as well. He has been subbed off around the 60 minute mark in most games he's started, and that's always been after a very bright start to the game. That's probably what GH means with his comments about mph - that Bannan has tended to wear himself out unnecessarily. It's telling that he lasted the 90 today.

[villasjf]

Good. We do need a few people to start the Bent Thriller song though.

which is?

[TonyD]

Good work!

[Legion]

Good. We do need a few people to start the Bent Thriller song though.

which is?

It's Villa, Villa Night, and no-one's gonna save you from the Bent about to strike...

[Ian.]

I was thinking today about our last few years in the early rounds in the cups or in Europe we would make a lot of changes, MON would play all the fringe players and some youth. Do you reckon they must have known whatever they did in those games he would still play his favourite 11 in the next match no matter what? Hw would only make changes in the league if a player was injured or suspended. That must be hard going for the fringe players.

[Matt C]

Good and relatively comfortable win. Clark was the pick of the bunch for me, very impressive. GH got his rotation right and we look a much more together bunch than a few short weeks ago.

The only downer was the attendance; what a shame the FA Cup has become a shadow of its former self to so many.

[villasjf]

Anyone know if Gabby went off at half time because of an injury?

In the warm up he stretched for a loose ball then started feeling his groin then had the physio do some stretching stuff to his legs, so I guess just to protect him. Played out of position again though.

[Somniloquism]

Anyone know if Gabby went off at half time because of an injury?

In the warm up he stretched for a loose ball then started feeling his groin then had the physio do some stretching stuff to his legs, so I guess just to protect him. Played out of position again though.

I just mentioned on the Other Games thread but Fergie who has won everything in the game for the past 20 odd years is playing striker Michael Owen wide left midfield.  It has been about as effective as playing Gabby has been for us so I expect a swap for Rooney to go into the that position as a sub.

[Holtenderinthesky]

The only downer was the attendance; what a shame the FA Cup has become a shadow of its former self to so many.

It is a great shame, blame the Champions League for that.  I also think the FAC lost some of it's sparkle when it was moved away from Wembley for a few years, que sera sera were going to Cardiff didn't quite fit.  Man United's business trip to Brazil a few years back didn't help either, the champions pulling out of the FA cup just made the tournament look 2nd rate. I hope we win it soon or there may not be an FA cup in 10 or 20 years time, I hate that it has been devalued in the way it has been. 

[lukey27]

Thought we were far the better team. Blackburn looked totally disinterested and if we'd kept 11 men on the pitch I think we would have scored a couple more second half.

Clark impresses me more and more every week, and I know it's not popular but Pires also had a good game, kept the ball well, started attacks and excellent goal. Probably starting in the Prem is well beyond him though. Crawley in the next round at home please.