God's teeth! What kind of performance was that??
This was for me the most eagerly anticipated game since, probably the Cup Final of 2000 and it seems the spirit of May 2000 is still within the Villa ranks. When Villa let you down, they do it with some style don't they? It's hard to find anything positive from the game tonight, maybe Milner who looked like he could come good and Baros worked hard and at a push you could say we just didn't have any luck. Had Milner's cross shot gone in off the post, Villa just might have clawed their way back in to it. But no.
So, time to wield the axe me thinks. Sorenson had a complete mare. He should have challenged for the ball instead of waiting for it to land in his arms for the second... and the third? Well, I'm just lost for words... On yer bike Thomas, let's see what Stuart Taylor can do.
Hughes was ineffective, Mellberg had another uncharacteristcally poor game, Ridgewell just couldn't cope and Freddie seemed a little stagestruck but stuck to his task... at least there's hope for him.
Barry was an embarrasment, Davis battled hard but was easily out-muscled and perhaps a little too selfish at times, McCann is in a bad way he needs to be rested and Milner as I said showed great promise and worked very hard. He has a bit of spirit in him and isn't afraid to get a foot in and he thrived on taking people on.
Felt sorry for Phillips, nothing seemed to stick to him tonight and was left gazing at the stars for inspiration far too often. Baros made his own chances and worked hard, but again just didn't get the run of the ball when we all prayed that he would.
Now there is strength (???) in depth I expect O'Leary to ring the changes for Spurzzz. If I were him I'd go with this line-up, but don't be surprised if we see the same starting 11 on Saturday.
Taylor
Samuel - Bouma - Mellberg - Hughes
Berger - Djemba-Djemba - Davis - Milner
Baros - Phillips
And, before I sign off... what is it with Sky jinxing Villa's performances??? It's rare that I get to visit Villa Park so when a game is live on TV it's a real treat. Or at least it used to be. Now I'm going to stay well clear of the PremPlus game on Saturday in the hope that my not watching improves Villa's chances. It seems when Sky are around Villa crumble too easily, why is that. I'm lucky to see one good performance per season on Sky, last season's was the home game vs Portsmuff. And why oh why do we have to suffer the ramblings of 'appy 'arry Redknapp for feck's sake? Can the punch-drunk, too-tight suit wearing baffoon please feck off back to the fizzy drinks league and stay there??
