Aston Villa News 24/7It took an extra time winner from Stewart Downing to settle this one after Clarke Carlisle cancelled out Emile Heskey’s late opener, but it was a costly game for Marc Albrighton who will be suspended for the Birmingham derby game after being sent off during extra time.
Not a game I saw or even heard, but clearly another game where we struggled to find the net. Maybe not surprising when you start without any recognised strikers, but Ashley Young, Stephen Ireland, Nigel Reo-Coker and Barry Bannan all reportedly had good chances during the first half.
Emile Heskey came on just before the hour mark to replace Stephen Ireland and finally scored Villa’s first goal since Marc Albrighton’s first senior goal at White Hart Lane with less than five minutes left on the clock. True to form though, Villa conceded an equaliser in the final minute of normal time, Clarke Carlisle nodding home Rod Wallace’s centre.
Extra time, just what we didn’t need ahead of the derby game on Sunday (especially after my gloating at Birmingham going through the same thing last night), but Stewart Downing relaxed nerves 6 minutes into the added time with a 25 yard effort into the top corner. Unfortunately, Marc Albrighton was sent off less than five minutes later for what will go down as a professional foul just outside the box. I believe he pushed Wade Elliott over when he was through on goal and will now miss the Birmingham game on Sunday.
Carlos Cuellar was forced into a goal line clearance just before the final whistle and Ash nearly followed that up with a third at the other end, but it finished 2-1, a tight and perhaps quite costly victory.
Still, we’re in the hat for Saturday’s draw along with Arsenal, West Ham, Ipswich, Man Utd, West Brom, Wigan and Birmingham, that’s all that matters for now.
5th round games will be played during week commencing 29th November.
Starting XI: Friedel, Lichaj, Cuellar, Clark, Beye, Sidwell, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Bannan, Young, Ireland.
Subs: Guzan, Downing, Johnson, Collins, Hogg, Delfouneso, Heskey.
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3 Comments to “Aston Villa 2 Burnley 1 – Villa through to quarters, but no Blues for Albrighton”
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Bizarre game. ESPN reported the final score as 1-1, and being the 94th minute, I had no reason to doubt it. But a winning goal in the 96th minute, and a red card in the 100th? Why was there a 100th minute?
At times, it seems these Cup games are regarded as exhibitions, looking at the starting lineups and the lack of intensity. I forgot what your survey concluded about the relative importance of Cup games and PL games, but is it worth the “professional foul” in the 100th minute to try to preserve a Carling Cup game?
I wouldn’t know personally, but I do hear that for many from the greater Birmingham area, Sunday’s game is the most important of the year; its hard for me to judge. I really won’t have to face any Blues fans on Monday.
The reason for the strange minutes was that the game went into 30 minutes of extra time , as scores were level after 90 minutes. This is normal procedure in the Carling Cup.
There is no such, ordinary explanation for the team selection. Even that crazy Irish fella used to play a striker or two most weeks.
Albrighton, to be fair, did the professional thing very maturely.
Unfortunately, I think you’re right about the Blues game being the highlight of the season. It really shouldn’t be, but what else have we got to play for?
Why was Big Brad in nets, by the way?
Thanks. Yes, I figured that out – I was thrown off because ESPN reported a final of 1-1. Maybe they don’t know the Carling Cup rules either.
I like Albrighton’s intensity; I think everyone would rather save him for Sunday, but the attitude is worth the occasional odd red card. WIth time, he can perhaps achieve the status of a Terry and make such plays without even getting a yellow.