Aston Villa News 24/7An early goal from the spot and a late goal via a deflection was enough to cancel Gabby Agbonlahor’s first half leveller and send us out of the Carling Cup, triggering disgraceful scenes as City fans invaded the pitch to taunt Villa fans locked in the away section.
The fact we dominated the game is neither here nor there, derby games are a different kettle of fish and it all comes down to failing to capitalise on opportunities and inexplicably slack defending when pressure is applied. Dunne’s challenge to gift the penalty was clumsy and completely unnecessary and no one covered themselves in glory for Zigic’s winner with six minutes plus stoppages left to play.
I can’t for the life of me fathom how one of the best defences in the country last season turned into the Keystone Cops this year. But there you go, it is what it is.
Aside from conceding the penalty early on we looked good, Clark and Hogg as the pair of defensive midfielders, Downing on the left, Ash behind Gabby and Bannan on the right. I’m sure the there will be criticism for playing Bannan on the right wing, and he did struggle to get involved during the first half, but imposed himself during the second half with some impressive link up play with Ashley Young and he had twice as many cracks at goal as Downing and Young combined.
Unfortunately, Bannan was withdrawn with 18 minutes left on the clock, Stephen Ireland his replacement, I presume because of a knock of some kind, there was no other reason to take off one of best players at the time. Ireland came so close to finally breaking his duck, but Ben Foster pulled out a fantastic save to stop his low driven effort following Gabby’s brilliant break down the left flank.
There really isn’t much else to say. Zigic was terrible all night, but somehow scored with his only attempt of the game, Cameron Jerome was better, but Friedel was more than match to anything he managed on target. Villa, on the other hand, continue to be wasteful with so many opportunities to deliver the final ball it’s not even funny.
Speaking of not funny, I’m not going to write any more, I’m sure the decisions have been made and the palms already greased, but this is what the World Cup decision makers witnessed from Switzerland tonight…
…it is 2010, right?
I don’t want to play the blame game, sounds like sixes and half-dozens to me, but the Radio WM commentary below is worth listening to in relation to the source of the flares, at least when the commentator first spotted them (~25 seconds in).
In any case, there will be an investigation into the trouble by the FA and you can bet both clubs’ fans behaviour will be under close scrutiny.
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8 Comments to “Birmingham City 2 Aston Villa 1 – Out of the Carling Cup, but crowd trouble will dominate headlines”
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Pathetic. The rest of Britain and Europe will be laughing at us.
For what it’s worth, I thought we were good tonight. But my heart’s not in it. When we watch stuff like that, our passion for the game and our team seems somehow misplaced. Sickening. Animals. Idiots. Find me somewhere else to live.
we were good, but it’s draining looking for positives poor result after poor result.
they’re there though, we really, really need to catch a break sometime.
I agree – they looked good but my heart wasn’t in it either. They seem to be passing the ball relatively well and the front line wasn’t too bad. But I agree with you Dan — is this the same back four from last year? They look disorganized and unsure of themselves, almost like they are being asked to play completely differently from last season and just haven’t “gelled” yet. Very frustrating because we can blame the midfield and strikers on injury issues — we have been using our “best 4″ in the back for most of our games so far.
i’ll probably trawl through some chalkboards at some point. it could be that they’re being encouraged to lump it less often and are finding themselves with the ball coming back at them a bit quicker.
it could be that the youngsters in midfield are offering a little less protection.
it could even be as simple as carlos cuellar at right back provided extra protection as a natural defender.
it’s more likely a combination of all this and more. if i get enough time, i’ll see if anything jumps out from the numbers and graphics.
Although boorish behavior is common here, this kind of thing, this particular form of the “derby atmosphere” remains inexplicable in America. Even in Philadelphia. I am afraid you are right, it does nothing for England’s image and World Cup hopes.
Why must these be played at night, allowing five additional drinking hours before kickoff?
this one shouldn’t have been played at that time, but i don’t know whether league cup fixtures have ever been moved to the weekend before since the competition was introduced specifically for midweek games. that’s one reason i find it an anachronism; padding the fixture calendar is the last thing we need to do these days.
“Even in Philadelphia”
And Villa goes back there January 16, fortunately an early start. I hope it won’t require the army to maintain order, but throwing flares into crowds is really taking “derby enthusiasm” to a new level.