Hero to Villain – Albrighton Pays Penalty for Late Foul at Fulham
Aston Villa missed the chance to climb the Premier League table with a win at Fulham after the hosts equalised in the 95th minute to break Villa hearts. Villa came into the game without a win in 4 and without a goal in 3. These daunting stats were worrying with Villa missing their 3 senior strikers going into the game. A first start for Nathan Delfouneso was the result of Houllier’s injury woes but it was the last Villa player to score a league goal, Marc Albrighton, who gave Villa the lead. The manager also handed a start to youngster Barry Bannan who impressed and set-up the goal expertly. Villa could not hang onto their lead from the first half and dramatic late equaliser from Brede Hangeland but a sever dampener on an encouraging display. Goal-scorer, Albrighton was left with his head in his hands after needlessly giving away the free-kick which assisted the late and bitter blow to the visitors. Extended Match Report
Fulham vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Prediction
Aston Villa visit Craven Cottage on a poor run of form having not one in four games. The reason, a lack of goals with their last coming in the 16th minute of the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham almost a month ago. Gerard Houllier has not been helped in trying to solve this issue after injuries to John Carew and Emile Heskey see them join Agbonlahor on the sidelines. Youngster Nathan Delfouneso will be in charge of goal-getting in what is set to be his first league start for the Villa after 2 seasons on the fringes.
Fulham (Away) – Saturday 6th November
Possible Starting XI: Friedel; L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Clark, Downing; A Young; Delfouneso
Key Man: Marc Albrighton
Goalscorer(s): Nathan Delfouneso
Minute of First Goal: 28
Final Score: 1-1
Quarterly 2010/11 Season Review: Aston Villa Defensive Statistics by Player
Mainly down to having far too much time on my hands and being a stickler for a good stat, I decided to comprise a list of the defensive statistics for each Aston Villa defender and midfielder (excluding wingers Marc Albrighton, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young). The stats show each player’s record thus far this campaign as well as their overall Premier League record for their combined clubs in parenthesis. The stats include the average amount of goals the team concede per game, the average amount of clean sheets the team picks up and the average number of shots on target it takes to concede when each player is on the pitch. Exciting stuff I realise but it does reveal some interesting results. I will list the top 3 players in each category regarding their defensive record as well as the bottom 3 culprits. Individual Defensive Stats in Full
Houllier Team Selection to Blame for Lack of Creativity
Sunday 31st October 2010
Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City
Sunday afternoon saw the epic battle between fierce rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham that wasn’t so epic at all. A competitive game which lacked creativity, imagination and overall quality turned into a bit of a Halloween nightmare for the home fans. Villa set up with a defensive line-up which had many Villans scratching their heads in what is the most important game of the season for the majority of the home support. Gerard Houllier’s team selection will be questioned after setting up with what appeared to be a 4-1-4-1 formation. The tactics left no room for flair and attacking threat in a first-half in which I hate to say, Birmingham should have led. A lack of support for Emile Heskey in the opening hour of the match seemed an extremely negative approach which Alex McLeish and Blues fans would have loved. To this point I haven’t really questioned any of Houllier’s decisions come match-day but I have to concede that a more attacking Villa line-up should have won the game on Sunday. A full yet brief match report follows, summing up what was a drab and disappointing affair at Villa Park. Report and Ratings
Ciaran Clark Pens 4-Year Villa Contract
Villa’s promising young centre back has had an eventful start to the campaign this season and after breaking into the team last year, has earned himself a new long-term contract with the club. Clark began the season in the team, starting in the 3-0 victory over West Ham before the Newcastle game which we don’t like to speak about. The 21-year-old has featured in both Villa’s Carling Cup ties this year as well as playing the majority of the match against Chelsea due to injury to Richard Dunne, holding his own against messes Anelka and Malouda. His contract was due to run out next summer which had even attracted reported interest from the likes of Manchester United. He has extended his current deal until 2014 to ward off any unwanted interest in his services. In the past month Clark also had to make the gutsy call to opt to represent the Republic of Ireland in favour of England due to increased opportunities under Giovanni Trapattoni. The centre back who has been at the club since he was 12 expressed his delight at the new deal;
“I’m delighted to sign a new deal and commit my future to the club. I feel I’m at a football club that is progressing and provides an environment in which the young players coming through all want to excel.”
Aston Villa vs Birmingham City Pre-Match Prediction
No self-respecting Villa fan, especially one who runs a blog viewed by other Villa fans, is ever going to bet against his own team in the derby with the Blues. It would be like betting that Scotland would beat England, you just can’t bring yourself to even comprehend the possibility. Villa do have key players missing and I beg that Houllier drops Beye for Cuellar, I know he’s not a right-back but he’s also not Habib Beye! These issues aside people do forget that the times of our depressingly under-strength squad depth are nearly over. Nearly. I have to predict a home win and thoroughly believe that we will win. Maybe not 5-1, maybe not even 2-0 but scrap that, I’m going for 2-0. Am I biased? Yes I am, but what do you think the score will be, who will score, and do any of you dare to bet against the Villa? I want to hear from you!
Birmingham (Home) – Sunday 31st October
Possible Starting XI: Friedel; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Downing, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Young; Ireland; Heskey
Key Man: Emile Heskey
Goalscorer(s): Heskey, Delfouneso (sub)
Minute of First Goal: 52
Final Score: 2-0
Houllier’s Brilliant Big Brad Selection
Wednesday 27th October 2010
Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley (AET)
Villa have made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup thanks to a 2-1, substitute inspired win over Burnley after extra-time. Villa dominated much of the first half and should have been in front but a lack of goals is still a real worry ahead of the Blues derby on Sunday. Burnley capitalised on Villa’s poor finishing and came out strongly in the second 45, putting the home side on the back foot for much of the half. It took substitutions from Houllier to change the game with Heskey and Downing both introduced to great effect. The former put the home side ahead with 5 minutes remaining but Villa failed to protect this lead with Burnley equalising on 89 through captain Clarke Carlisle. A stunning goal from Stewart Downing sealed victory for the hosts despite a Marc Albrighton red card in extra-time. Extended Report and Ratings
Aston Villa vs Burnley Match Preview
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Match Previews
Wednesday 27th October 2010
Opponent: Burnley
Venue: Villa Park
Kick Off: 19:45
Villa will be hoping to take advantage of some shock exits in the Carling Cup to strengthen their chances of another Wembley date next year. The competition has seen the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham knocked out thus far leaving Villa as third favourites behind Manchester United and Arsenal. Houllier’s men will have to overcome a tricky 4th round tie against Championship outfit Burnley to reach the Quarter-Finals of the tournament which they have won on 5 occasions. New manager Gerard Houllier will have fond memories of the Carling Cup as it was his first trophy as Liverpool boss. He went on to secure another final victory in his time at Anfield and Villa will be hoping the Frenchman’s impressive record in the competition continues. The home side will be big favourites but injury problems and a huge game against Birmingham at the weekend could prove potential banana skins. Full Match Preview
Reo-Coker Caps Fine Form with Captaincy
After a couple of seasons to forget under Martin O’Neill, Nigel Reo-Coker has achieved a complete turnaround of fortunes under new manager Gerard Houllier. Since it was revealed that captain Stiliyan Petrov would be out for a number of months rather than weeks, Houllier has had to consider his options in selecting a new captain. A reported training ground bust up between MON and Reo-Coker had threatened to end the midfielder’s spell at the club but a string of tireless performances this term have seen him rewarded. It is thought that the 26-year-old’s main rivals for the role were centre backs Richard Dunne and James Collins but Houllier has opted for the Englishman who has skippered both of his previous clubs, MK Dons and West Ham. To top off the fantastic news for the player, the £8.5m signing has also seemingly earned himself a new contract with the club. With his current deal expiring next summer Houllier will be keen to thrash out new terms ASAP after praising the tenacious skipper. Houllier Press Statement
Lady Luck Not Shining On Houllier’s Villa
After another tight game at the weekend led to a disappointing defeat it seems that Gerard Houllier may just need a little luck to revert back to winning ways. Decent performances in the club’s last 3 games have bought just 1 league point and perhaps the reason for this being 1 league goal. After starting promisingly against Tottenham, a club whom Villa have previously seemed to fear under MON, Albrighton gave Villa a deserved lead. Rafael van der Vaart proved to be too hot to handle, despite arguably warranting a point from the tough clash at White Hart Lane. The champions of Chelsea were next up at Villa Park and Houllier’s men more than matched their opponents for most of the game. Other than two efforts that hit the woodwork for the visitor’s Villa had more real chances and could have nicked the points late on through Reo-Coker. Saturday’s defeat to Sunderland was probably the most crushing of the lot after again starting brightly, Villa were beaten by a Richard Dunne own goal. Sunderland Match Report
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