Villa Underground

You can find the new, improved Villa Underground at:

www.villaunderground.com

Business as usual.

Still on Twitter as well... @avfc_vilr

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Bunn (7) - Described as having the necessary “experience” over the inconsistent Gollini, Bunn demonstrated his worth with a fine late save.  Distribution remains erratic and his dallying when clearing lead to the Burton equaliser in the first half.

Hutton (5) - An inconsistent performance.  Lots of heart and running, but dreadful passing throughout the game enabled the visitors to have lots of luck attacking down the left.  Better teams would have punished us.

Chester (6) - Another steady performance, with some calm touches.  Struggled with the physicality as the game progressed and was exposed on more than one occasion across the afternoon.

Baker (7) - Another physically commanding performance, with countless headed clearances over 90 minutes.  Baker isn’t afraid of a challenge and cleared the lines whenever he could have a say in it.  For all of this, he must find more composure on the ball.  It need not always be an aimless hoofed clearance back to the opposition.

Amavi (6) - Struggled going forward today but was persistent in his attempts.  Fared well also defensively, recovering well on one occasion to deny a certain goal-scoring possibility.  Competent, if not stand-out.

Adomah (6) - The winger was tireless in his efforts, despite many of his forays and exertions coming to little.  Whilst Adomah carries a threat, he can get lost in a side that isn’t clicking right now.  Guilty of missing a sitter early in the 2nd half when easier to score, but assisted with the opening goal for Bacuna.

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Gardner (5) - A willing runner, as it now becoming his USP, until injured in the closing stages of the 1st half.  Villa improved noticeably for Grealish coming on as his replacement however.

Grealish (8) - Enjoyed an almost 90% pass completion rate (sexy stat) in 2nd half.  A constant terror for Burton and provided threat and purpose going forward.

Jedinak (5) - Dominant in the air, but struggled for any sort of composure with the ball at his feet.  Relinquished hard earned possession on more than one occasion and was wisely withdrawn on 75 minutes.

Ayew (6) - A 15 minute cameo was enough to illustrate that a talent lurks within our most frustrating player.  His close control and pace injected immediate urgency to the play.  Ayew was instrumental in the winner, providing the assist for McCormack.  There is hope yet.

Bacuna (6) - Gametime for a man who many feel had been unfairly peripheral after improved early season form.  Scored the opener, a decent header which Villa should have built upon.  However, Bacuna suffers from going missing in games and is as guilty as any for unforced errors.

McCormack (8) - A tireless performance from the Scot who harried and tried all afternoon.  Rewarded for his efforts with the winning goal on 78 minutes and composed himself well as the ball broke to him before slotting home.  A welcome goal from the big money signing who will have great expectations resting upon his shoulders in the weeks ahead.

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Kodjia (6) - Hard-working and ran himself into the ground, but had a bit of an off day.  Guilty of overplaying at times and opted to plough into trouble where a pass was on to a better placed Villa player.  With that said, a handful for the visitors and always carries the possibility of crafting something out of nothing.

Agbonlahor (2) - A late appearance did little to inspire confidence that match sharpness is returning.  Indeed, Gabby was almost guilty of gifting the visitors a needless chance in the latter stages having been dispossessed when only a Villa counter attack seemed possible.  An alarming ongoing experiment from Bruce.

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In the latest episode of the Podcast collaboration between My Old Man Said & The Villa Underground you can immerse yourself in the following:

Wigan & Norwich Poor Performances, What’s Bruce doing in terms of forward selections; Kodjia & McCormack wasted?

The pointless Gabby experiment? WTF?, The tools are there to be doing much more with the options available.  The Steve McClaren Miracle - Derby have won 7 in a row....explain that?

QPR Previewed & why Villa just have to be beating teams below us if we seriously want to make the playoffs.

What has happened at the Blues?  A perfectly good season has been ripped apart with the shock sacking of Gary Rowett.  And to appoint Zola?  Bonkers. “That” Stan Collymore & Pep Guardiola press conference.  All hot air and over-reaction, especially from Stanley Victor.

...and finally...Pub vibes: this episode was recorded on location at The VILLAge Inn (Moseley) over a lovely pint.

You can subscribe to the podcast in various ways to suit your tastes.

iTunes, TuneIn, acast & Stitcher to name but a few.  Check it out here.

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It’s great being an Aston Villa fan.  Truly.

We can experience all of the footballing emotions which Barcelona supporters can only dream of.  There are likely elders on the Las Ramblas as you read this reciting mythical notions of defeat, relegation, Remi Garde & Marlon Harewood.

As followers of the My Old Man Said Podcast will know, I’ve endured a protracted house move over many months.  Few things come close to the level of stress, frustration and annoyance which conveyancing brings, but supporting Villa comes mightily close.

Whilst fortunes have certainly improved markedly since Steve Bruce was brought in, one man simply cannot wave a magic wand and heal the wounds brought about by years of neglect.

This neglect was evident during Bruce’s first game, as we limped to draw at home to struggling Wolves.

Despite an upturn in form (hardly difficult after RDM’s tenure), our inability to turn good performances into wins has impeded our progress (think Brighton away).

And our absolutely abject away form could result in a golden opportunity of the playoffs to pass us by.  The away defeat to Leeds may yet stand as an unwanted watermark upon our season as the halfway point approaches.

Bruce is faced with an incredibly difficult job.  There’s no doubt about that and he needs to be afforded time under the childish gaze of public relations harvester Dr Tony Xia.

Rejuvenating a football club where defeat and anonymity have become apathetically accepted is no easy task.  Whilst welcome, a run of unbeaten games is met with messiah like appreciation from the support.

The latest disappointment marks the first juncture where Bruce’s man management and experience will be tested.  The honeymoon period is over, the work has been steady so far, but we need to get some momentum in the division.

The away defeat to Leeds not only continued our woeful away form, but it suggested we weren’t capable of beating the better sides around the automatic promotion spots.

Cause for concern indeed.

Then we laboured, drearily, against a really poor Wigan side at Villa Park.

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A position I definitely hold is that wins are wins & it doesn’t matter how or when they are achieved.  However, they don’t paper over a sides glaring shortcomings which ultimately come back to haunt against better opposition.

That’s what made the 1-0 defeat to Norwich all the more annoying.

It was another chance missed, another limp (predictable) performance and the first time upon reflection that Bruce could be brought into question. 

He rightly called out the team for their display, apologised to the fans but offered up a team selection including the mediocre Ashley Westwood & embarrassment Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Whilst the manager is limited by his options, and individual failings cannot always be legislated for, glaring selection errors must be eradicated.

What is Agbonlahor demonstrating (other than losing weight he should never have gained) which warrants such a meteoric recall?  His inclusion baffles, not only for just how poor the man is, but for how it excludes others.

The unproven & untested Hepburn-Murphy may not necessarily be the answer, but how will we ever know?  I imagine most of us would be pressing for a move if Gabby were ahead in the pecking order.  Based on what?  Ability?  Goalscoring?  Striking fear into the opposition?  It’s laughable when you consider it.

Alternatively, why not sacrifice the dead-weight Gabby has become and take advantage of an additional midfielder or play a man off Kodjia + 1?  Why not mix up the formation from the 4-3-3?  It’s not all Football Manager, but there has to be a better option here.

When is someone going to question why Jack Grealish shows mere glimpses of supreme talent, when consistency and quality is what we need?

What is Ayew’s problem?  What has happened to Elphick? And how can we [realistically now people] hope to make progress with Westwood in the middle?

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Sitting plum centre of the division at this stage doesn’t by any means make the season a write off.  There are plenty of games and points to play for.

What we must do, as well as strengthen in January, is not miss the chance to learn from our mistakes within the confines of this season.  Our shortcomings are there for all to see, so let’s address them.

We must be more ruthless up front, cut out the repeated errors at the back and dispense of the faces who have routinely not been up to the task for more years than most of us care to recall.

Next up: A trip to Loftus Road represents a great chance to shift the tone back to positivity, but another defeat would deflate a fanbase desperate to cling to the hope that one day a corner might be turned at Aston Villa.

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Big Ron sticks in many Villa fans minds.  Charismatic, a winner & arguably one of the last truly great managerial characters to have been at the club.

From the highs of beating Manchester United in the 1994 League Cup final at Wembley (stopping Alex Ferguson securing the treble in the process), memorably beating Inter Milan at Villa Park, to the lows of his controversial sacking at the hand of “Deadly Doug” in November 1994.

In a change to the usual format, Ron Atkinson features as part of this weeks exclusive Podcast.

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MOMS Aston Villa Podcast Ep 13 - Ron Atkinson Interview

Jack Grealish's late strike against Wigan secured Villa's fourth straight home win on a day that My Old Man Said sat down with ex-Villa boss Ron Atkinson to discuss the current Villa situation and his time at Villa, amongst football anecdotes aplenty on a cast including Brian Clough, Paul McGrath, Andy Gray, David Hirst and Doug Ellis.

A big thanks to Big Ron for his time.

Show Running Order:

Featuring:

Quick Wigan review, Current Villa Issues, Significance of December, Jedinak's Jungle.

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BIG RON Interview: 

Grimsby, Shaun Teale, Brandy tradition, David Hirst minesweeping story, Villa under Lerner, Steve Bruce aims, The important thing you need in the Championship, Previous offers of the Villa job, Taking the job and the Wednesday aggro, Villa vs United title race, Lack of managerial talent nowadays - Clough & Atkinson England job misses. Coaching badges, Brian Clough's man management, Favourite Clough story, 1994 Cup Final vs United gambles, Frank Sinatra gigs he went to. Drinking culture at Manchester United? Excuses for the press when covering players. McGrath story. Lost £10,000 in Grimsby. Rottweiler Andy Gray. Seeing Doug Ellis at a Funeral

Featuring:

My Old Man Said - http://www.myoldmansaid.com

Villa Underground - http://www.villaunderground.com/

Host and Interviewer: David Michael (MOMS Editor) - @oldmansaid

Jedinak's Jungle - Dan Rogers - @avfc_vilr

Producer: David Michael

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Victory over Cardiff certainly improves the mood, edging Villa closer to the dizzying heights of The Championship playoffs.

We are used, after-all, to staring at a trapdoor of late.  Looking upwards is almost a new concept.

Glancing back at what has been an eventful few months, the club appears to have finally settled under the experienced stewardship of Steve Bruce.  A proper football manager?  Finally.

The recovery of our season, which hit an alarming low following the Di Matteo ending defeat at Preston, is a welcome lurch in the right direction.

Cardiff arrived at Villa Park and presented an immediate threat, missing a golden opportunity in the opening exchanges, heading over from point blank range.

That was a real let-off.

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The visitors were tidy if uncompromising in their approach, but for all their nuisance, crafted little.  

Aside from feeding off unforced errors from Villa players or the occasional disarray that their long throw delivered, we can be satisfied with the defensive display.

However, if there was ever an example needed of a team playing in their managers image, then this was it.

We witnessed a full 90 minutes of total non-football, trips and persistent fouling rarely witnessed since the height of the Stoke-Pulis era.  

Some may brush this off as the rough and tumble of “the Championship”, but I can recall no other side who have so wilfully abandoned playing football this season.

Equally frustrating was the referee’s inability to have an awareness to the tactics at play or those individuals over 90 minutes who repeatedly disrupted the game.  Peltier was merely the fall guy, receiving a red card for a clumsy trip on Grealish in the second half.

Indeed, the halts in play and frequent cards brandished by the official were broadly incomprehensible for both sides.  The ref didn’t discriminate in his ineptitude & this underpinned his inconsistency all afternoon.

Villa though, whilst casual at times, looked assured.

This wasn’t a pretty game of football, but the type of match that perhaps I’d come to expect more of in the second tier.  Ugly, agricultural passages of play that reinforced one’s belief that alcohol (or suitable alternative) should be dispensed directly to your seat at Villa Park.

The opener came after fine work from the increasingly impressive Amavi.  The French international youngster burst forward before squaring to Adomah, who coolly slotted home.  1-0.

Then came a telling moment.

Westwood, much maligned on this blog and elsewhere, controlled poorly to enable Cardiff to break free on the edge of our box.  Rickie Lambert [otherwise anonymous] was gifted a shot on goal which he duly finished.

A dismal goal to concede & one which eroded what goodwill Ashley Westwood had managed to rebuild following a steady display at Brighton.

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The old Villa may have capitulated, collapsed in on itself.  The new Villa is a different, unpredictable beast.  We are full of belief, directness and threat.  This was promptly rewarded.

Adomah had two stabs at a cross & Kodjia did the rest, out-muscling the defender to ensure we went in at the break 2-1 up.  A great time to score & a genuine reason for optimism.  

In Adomah we have signed a player who turns up with no other objectives to create or try to score.  To go from literally zero creativity squad to an assist hungry player like this is a huge plus.  

In Kodjia, we appear to have found someone who not only looks an absolute goal machine, but who also carries a broad smile which suggests the reports of “team spirit” are genuine.  The latter isn’t something I ordinarily care a great deal about, but given last season’s woeful group of players, also marks a positive change in agenda.

The second half saw Cardiff ramp up their disruption.  Countless fouls were committed, some given, some permitted.

Villa though, toom their time and began to turn the screw.

Warnocks men certainly couldn’t cope with Grealish’s movement & took all measures to stop him.

Jedinak was magnetised to anything in the final third.

Kodjia on the ball saw the Cardiff shirts in retreat en masse.

The introduction of Agbonlahor for the ineffective Ayew also provided sufficient food for thought amongst the back four.

There was also contention.  Grealish was felled in the box only to see his claim waved away by the ref.  It looked more a penalty than the one which was ultimately awarded.  Gabby’s protestation & pursuing of the inane ref drew a worthwhile yellow card.

As the minutes ticked, the possibility of the “inevitable equaliser” is never far from the front of the mind.

The chances kept coming; Adomah was unable to fashion a finish after exceptional work from Kodjia.

But then Grealish burst free, took a touch and was brought down in clumsy fashion.  Gestede dispatched the penalty to seal the victory.

#avfc 3 (v) 1 #ccfc Gestede penalty. pic.twitter.com/lQJHT53UHt

— Villa Underground (@avfc_vilr) November 26, 2016

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Warnock’s post match delusions may have extended to criticising Grealish, whom he asserts to have been falling over all afternoon. This despite the midfielder having been on the receiving end of 11 fouls; a record within the entire division this season.

And he wonders why nobody called him for the Villa job in the summer?  A bullet dodged indeed.

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This goes down as a hard earned victory; one which won’t be used as the marquee example of fine football.

Few will care about any of that, it’s another valuable three points & a huge leap in the direction of the playoffs.  Long may it continue.

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RATINGS - Cardiff Crushed - #AVFC Players Rated & Man Of The Match - READ: https://t.co/LyaxAQXx7k

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(6) - Gollini - Little to do today & not much he could do for Cardiff’s goal.  Flapped at more than one cross, which remains cause for concern.  Otherwise untroubled.

(6) - Hutton - A steady performance & coped well with threat down the right flank.  Limited success going forward.

(8) - Chester - Another impressive performance.  Controlled & commanding.

(7) - Baker - A solid first half performance until forced off with a groin strain.

(6) - Elphick - SUB - Replaced injured Baker and had a solid 45 minutes.  A strong leader but distribution can let him down at times.

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(8) - Amavi - A fine performance and further evidence of the Frenchman’s true quality.  A first half assist was capped with a solid defensive display.

(9) - Jedinak - MOTM - Marauding display of power and presence over 90 minutes.  Countless interceptions, clearances, headers won and disruption to the opposition.

(6) - Westwood - A busy and hard working performance was marred by a poor touch in the first half to gift Cardiff a goal.  Quality & confidence remain a question mark.  

(7) Adomah - Another impressive display, providing a constant threat out wide.  Grew into the game and finished his chance coolly.  Fatigued as game wore on.

6 - Gestede - SUB - Hard working when introduced but found chances limited.

(8) - Grealish - Increased in effectiveness as the game approached the latter stages.  Visitors unable to cope with movement and tricky interplay.

(5) - Ayew - Lots of running and time on the ball amounted to little.  An ineffective performance that saw him subbed on the hour.

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(6) - Agbonlahor - SUB - Guilty of indecision when one on one with the keeper, resulting in a miss.  Looked sharper than most recent outings & gave defence something to think about.

(8) - Kodjia - Another tireless performance & a fine headed goal.  Always a threat on the ball & drives the team forward relentlessly.

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Aston Villa (v) Cardiff City

Kick Off 3pm

Villa Park

Match Preview:

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1.  Villa haven’t lost to Cardiff since 1974.  Coincidentally, that fixture was also when Villa were in the 2nd tier (Division 2, in old money).

2.  The last time Cardiff tasted victory at Villa Park? 1954.  The same year Wolves were Champions of England, West Brom won the FA Cup & Lord of The Rings was first published.

3.  Joe Bennett looks set to feature having made a summer switch to The Bluebirds.  Whilst Bennett is reported to be in good form for his new club, his diminutive figure & technical shortcomings are weaknesses to exploit.

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4.  Villa remain the only unbeaten Championship side at home, a massive achievement and something definitely worth maintaining.  A massive turnaround after abysmal form at Villa Park over more than five years.

5.  Neil Warnock, manager of the visitors today, has never beaten Villa as a manager [4 different teams].

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Last season saw many Villa players vilified.  And rightly so.

However, with a new owner came new ideas, big plans and predictably, wholesale change in the 2016 summer transfer window.

There are some faces who remain though.

Ayew, Cissokho, Gestede, Grealish, Baker, Richards, Bacuna, Hutton & Westwood...& Gabby.

Who has turned the tide of supporter discontent?

Who has had more than enough opportunities to shine?

JORDAN AYEW

For many Ayew offered bright moments in a very dark season of relegation despair.  Others felt that he was greedy, wasteful and temperamental.  This year see’s Ayew remain very much the fans “Marmite” player.  Yet...he is currently ranked our number 1 [whoscored.com] player with 4 assists, 4 man of the match performances and 2 goals.  Now isn’t that a talking point?

ALY CISSOKHO

The former Lyon, Valencia, Porto & Liverpool defender remains a baffling individual.  Physically uncompromising, his promising early season form has evaporated & seen him drop out of contention in favour of Jordan Amavi.  A recent outing in the under-23′s against Celtic didn’t help his cause, struggling to cope as the side lost 3-0 at Villa Park.

RUDY GESTEDE

Much maligned last term for his lack of goals and quality, the Benin international looked on course for greater heights this term after a flurry of early season strikes.  However, with the change of manager and arrival of prolific Jonathan Kodjia, Gestede may need to find more in his locker than a physical threat alone.

JACK GREALISH

Grealish suffered one of the worst cases of second season syndrome on record in the 2015/16 season, having the ignominy of never featuring in a winning Villa side.  Coupled to a number of off-field disciplinary problems, it proved to be a wake up call for the youngster.  Jack has shown glimpses of quality this season, but must find consistency in his play as well as discipline.  The latter was most notably lacking in the Wolves game, Bruce’s first in charge, for which he received a posthumous 3 match ban for stamping.

NATHAN BAKER

Banished to Bristol City on loan last season, Baker escaped the scarring weekly debacles the rest of us suffered.  The Villa academy graduate left the club with many not expecting him to make a return at all.  However, the [still only] 25 year old has grasped the opportunity given to him through Tommy Elphicks injury and is forging an impressive partnership with new signing James Chester.  Most recently Baker scored his first goal for the club, in the 1-1 draw with Brighton.

MICAH RICHARDS

Richards has been entrusted with just one start and one substitute appearance under both Di Matteo and Bruce to date.  This is a key stat for a player once heralded as a possible future England mainstay.  Whilst few could fault Richard’s commitment and effort, quality is glaringly lacking in many aspects of his game.  Positioning, control & even his reading of the play around him leave much to be desired.  Even given Villa’s injury problems at right back, he has been tellingly overlooked.

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LEANDRO BACUNA

The former Dutch youth international (now representing remote Caribbean island  Curaçao..?) was a regular recipient of disdain from the Villa faithful last term.  Whilst often played out of position and in a team routinely over-run, Bacuna still cut a disorientated figure.  This season he has started afresh, gone about his business diligently and performed well when employed in a more natural midfield role.  With that said, perhaps The Championship is Bacuna’s level?

ALAN HUTTON

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A trier, heart on sleeve, never say die player.  But often at sea whenever Villa conceded last year.  Hutton has been peripheral this campaign until the injury to new signing Richie De Laet and has featured more regularly since.  Hutton remains questionable positionally and is extremely wasteful in possession.  Surely the retired Scottish international is a temporary stop gap at best?

ASHLEY WESTWOOD

“Much maligned” doesn’t really cut it.  Indeed, the poor guy has even been booed onto the pitch this season.  Whilst that’s a debate in itself, it does go some way towards illustrating the frustration with Westwood.  For all of the overlooked tidy passes and interplay, he lacks so much in other departments.  Flair and urgency when attacking spring to mind.  Equally, defensively he can be weak and offer little protection to the back two.  Whilst improved in recent weeks, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him replaced.

GABBY AGBONLAHOR

The come-back kid.  Gabby has shed a stone in weight in a bid to revive his career, but some may argue that the damage is well and truly done.  Ill discipline aside, Agbonlahor has delivered all too little over many years to warrant great excitement.  Whilst a rejuvenation would be welcomed, especially with Villa losing strikers to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, it seems as unlikely as it does rational to predict Gabby being the saviour.

Photo credit: The Sun

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1.  On November 21st 1874, members of the Wesleyan Chapel bible class met under a gas lamp in Heathfield Road to form Aston Villa.

2.   H. Hartshorne came up with the idea that members of the local cricket club should take up a winter sport to keep fit in the close season.  Therefore, those same players went on to become Villa’s first ever squad.

3.   Villa’s first match was played against Aston Brook St Mary's Rugby team.  St. Mary’s only agreed to play if the first half was conducted under the rules of Rugby, whilst the second, fell under the rules of “association football”.  Villa won the encounter.

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4.  Walter Price was Villa’s first Captain.  He was an English defender & skippered the club until 1876.  Price also holds the distinction of being considered one of Villa’s “four founding fathers”.

5.  1874 was also notable for the births of Winston Churchill (Prime Minister) Howard Carter (Archaeologist) & Ernest Shackleton (Polar Explorer).

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Whilst Villa were progressing nicely at the AMEX on Friday night, club officials were hammering out the final details for Colin Calderwood to join as Steve Bruce’s assistant manager.

>>  Brighton Match Report <<

>>  Brighton Player Ratings <<

Calderwood leaves Brighton having tendered his resignation earlier this month & has been released ahead of his notice period expiring.  It’s reported that Villa have had to meet a compensation demand, the cost of which is undisclosed.

The former Scottish international breaks a longstanding tie-up with Chris Hughton to switch to Villa Park & departs The Seaguls as they sit second in The Championship.

This has surprised some given Brighton’s positive start to the season and must be seen as a big blow to the south coast side.

Calderwood arrives at Villa Park with 13 years coaching experience as either manager, head coach or assistant.  

His background over this period is varied, with success at Northampton, followed by struggles at Forest.  

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Equally his time at Newcastle featured mixed fortunes including a relegation but marked the beginnings of well regarded 7 year relationship with Hughton, whom [despite a brief hiatus to Hibs] has performed to good effect at Blues, Norwich and latterly Brighton.

As a player Calderwood may be remembered by some fans for a solitary season with Villa towards the twilight of his career.  

The former Spurs defender appeared 26 times in 1999/2000 campaign, which saw Villa finish 6th under the management of John Gregory.  That certainly feels like a lifetime ago.

Calderwood’s stay was in reality brief and unspectacular, and predictably departed for pastures new, opting to join Nottingham Forest that season.  He retired within a year after a brief spell with Notts County.

Calderwood is known to be a heart on the sleeve type of character & fits the mould of the clubs public policy of recruiting leadership at Bodymoor Heath.

A recent example of the Scots passion was seen during last seasons promotion decider against Middlesbrough, when he appeared to push opposition boss  Aitor Karanka as tempers flared during the crucial game.

Passion?  We’ll have some of that.  Welcome aboard.

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Calderwood At A Glance:

51 Years Old.

36 caps for Scotland.

13 years coaching experience.

Promoted through the divisions with Swindon Town.

Missed a year after a serious injury inflicted by Steve Bull.

Win ration as a manager 42%

Joined Villa for 250k in 1999.

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What is this strange, elusive feeling of positivity?

After years of scrabbling around the lower echelons of the Premier League and an inevitable humiliating relegation, we appear finally [FINALLY], to have stirred life into the old girl.

Brighton are undoubtedly one of the better teams in the division, perennially threatening to get promoted, and [with respect] I thought that we made them look distinctly average.

Yes, we only left with a point after a fine strike from Glenn Murray, but this was a 1-1 mauling by anyone's standards.  

The dominance, over-running of the opposition and relentless desire to try and make the win happen was greatly encouraging.  It doesn’t need this site to remind you of the weak, insipid and spiritless displays we’ve endured on repeat for countless years.

For this upturn, Bruce must take great credit.  

He is trying everything, even Agbonlahor, to breathe life into a season that could easily have become a total write off just a matter of weeks ago.

The first half saw Villa steadily grow into the game, riding early possession from the hosts before seizing upon a freekick to take the lead.

Albert Adomah, an absolute terror all night for Brighton, curled in a straightforward free kick which Nathan Baker headed in for his first goal for the club.  Not bad for someone who’s only been with us since he was 13.

Villa looked comfortable and threatened to extend the lead.

Sidwell fashioned a headed clearance when Jedinak seemed destined to score.

Gabby wasted a run on goal after a loose pass.

It was disappointing, albeit arguably typical, that Villa should go in at half time level.

The Villa midfield was bypassed, the centre halves exposed and Glenn Murray hammered home a powerful strike beyond Gollini to equalise.  

Preventable, annoying, but a worthy strike.

The second period saw some stagnation in the opening minutes before Villa tried to turn the screw.

When was the last time we did that?

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It was a barrage, a siege against Brighton who weathered a torrent of shots, crosses and half chances.  They were camped in their own half by default.

However, we just could not make the breakthrough.

The sub-par Gabby was withdrawn for Ayew and Grealish rejuvenated us in place of Gardner.

We found the woodwork twice, Adomah forced a clever save and The Seaguls found themselves over-run time and time again.

Grealish probed, Ayew laboured and Kodjia found Stockdale when easier to score.

It was one of those nights where it just wouldn’t go in.

For good measure there was an obligatory scare, with the shot stopping prowess of Pierluigi Gollini demonstrated once again.

What the Italian may lack in composure with the ball at his feet, or consistency against crosses, he produced a superb save to deny the hosts a shock win.  

Unsighted, he parried away a strong, low strike which would have been a bitter pill to swallow had it burst the net.

At the whistle, it felt like one that got away.  However, the signs are encouraging, the unbeaten run under Bruce continues and figures whom question marks lay against, suddenly look the business.

We take the point, the performance and the positivity into a tasty tie with Cardiff this Saturday.

> > PLAYER RATINGS VS. BRIGHTON < <

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(7) Gollini - A quiet evening for the steadily improving Italian ‘keeper.  Whilst kicking remains a weakness, a superb second half save when unsighted shows his true potential.

(5) Hutton - For all of the effort, the recently retired Scottish international struggled throughout.  Poor in possession, the hard work put in to obtain the ball was all too easily undone on countless occasions.

(7) Chester - Growing in stature.  A mostly composed performance, comfortable on the ball & striking up an interesting partnership with Baker.

(7) Baker - A fine headed goal capped another impressive display.  Baker has all of the physical attributes to progress at this level & also appears to have added consistency to his locker.

(6) Amavi - A number of clever defensive actions over 90 minutes, offset by frequent moments of indecision.  Had erractic assistance from Kodjia & struggled with the physicality at times.

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(6) Westwood - Harried & battled all evening.  To his credit played a couple of clever incisive balls.  Can be prone to dallying on the ball & as guilty as any in the middle for the equaliser.

(8) Jedinak - Another commanding display in central midfield.  The Australian international, looked as though he hadn’t been around the world at all.  Long may it continue.

(6) Gardner (Subbed 67th minute) - Another hard-working display with some clever interplay.  Struggled with the pace of the game as it wore on.

(9) Adomah - MOTM - Best showing in a Villa shirt to date, terrorising the Brighton defence with bursts of pace and a barrage of crosses.  A constant threat.

(3) Agbonlahor (Subbed 55th minute)  - A lacklustre performance, demonstrating little match sharpness & perhaps Bruce’s only mistake.

(6) Kodjia - Grew into the game after little luck out wide.  Benefited from Grealish’s introduction.  Produced moments of trickery and implausible physical strength.

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Substitutes

(7) Grealish (67th Minute) - A 25 minute cameo that suggested once against that much promise lies with Jack.  Whilst unplayable at times, there is a lack of urgency at times, allowing opportunities to slip away.

(6) Ayew (55th Minute) - Struggled to establish himself into the game but a willing runner.  Unlucky in the latter stages after hard work, only to see a near perfect through ball intercepted.  Remains a frustration.

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Aren’t these international breaks awful?

Repeatedly convincing yourself you’re interested in obscure televised qualifiers, self harming to the idea that Jordan Henderson is a professional & discovering what non-football folk do with their Saturdays.  Frightful.

Even considering the last five years form, we wouldn’t look forward to the respite an international break could bring.  

We all knew in those dark years that the inevitable squad “regrouping” at Bodymoor Heath, would just result in more of the same.  You can’t improve a Tonev or a Bowery with any amount of intensive training from Tim Sherwood after-all.

These days though, change is in the air.  We have for the first time in a good long period, fell foul of what is an annoying interlude, breaking a long overdue spell of momentum for the football club.  Typical.

The fact that we have taken three wins in five since Steve Bruce arrived and negotiated two derbies (challenging for different reasons) is certainly cause of optimism.  

[*Pause whilst all remind themselves of the definition of Optimism*]

Optimism isn’t something that recent visitors to Villa Park, Blackburn Rovers’ fans, will likely have much of.

As spirited a performance as some of their players put in, there was the stench of wretched ownership hanging over both their performance & football club.  

As Villa fans, we can have some sympathy, but must also recognise that not even Randy Lerner managed to sink to the depths that the Venky’s have taken Rovers to.

As supporters, we have parked our uncertainty over exactly who our new owner is & embraced Dr Tony’s unorthodox but single minded approach towards improving our beleaguered football club.

Contrast this to the Lancashire clubs fans, who must wonder exactly what they have done to deserve such dismal luck.  Additionally, with the club being described as “completely worthless as a saleable commodity”, the prospect of their Indian owners moving the club on remains slim.

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The match at Villa Park also featured the [borderline] non-story of an Ashley Westwood booing.

Even by Westwood’s standards of general disdain, it was pretty unfortunate to be booed onto the field of play.  [Or quite an achievement, depending upon how you look at it.]

Now, there is some debate as to whether the boos occurred, in what number and whether the moon landings were in fact faked.  However, booing certainly occurred against Wolves when the former Crewe player appeared on the touchline to replace Mile Jedinak in Bruce’s first match in charge.

This is a tricky subject, because the rational mind tells you that booing a player onto a pitch is self defeating, pointless and pretty tin-pot in nature.  It helps the opposition team much more than it does Villa, that’s for sure.

However, Westwood’s mere presence in an Aston Villa shirt can also provoke synapses to fire and unknown chemicals to react in ones bloodstream.  And that’s nothing to do with the dubious Villa Park catering.

Take Westwood out of the equation and it becomes a very bizarre thing indeed.  It’s mindless.  Given the [deserved] hatred towards some of the players last season, very few actually found themselves singularly targeted.  Bacuna & Lescott aside maybe.

But, equally sit back and reflect upon some of the performances that this incredibly disappointing midfielder has put in and it makes more sense.  Not total sense, but some.

It’s hard to overlook the countless occasions where the game has passed him by or in which his inability to effect a game has cost us.  He is also either guilty of being unable to improve or perhaps worse, actually being as good as he’s going to be.

Westwood may also be as much a victim of our failure as his own shortcomings.  Perhaps the worst thing to happen to him was the possession football inflicted by Paul Lambert.  As a result he seems almost impotent to endanger a defence, content to pass sideways & never daring to make a forward ball which carries mere minimal threat.

The biggest challenge Westwood probably faces is not only convincing those [minority] who boo him not to, but perhaps resurrecting a Villa career which for all his loyalty, has rarely looked like contributing to a consistently high standard.

Would anyone be surprised if he was replaced with midfield strengthening a priority in the next transfer window?  Hardly.

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And finally, short mention for the impact of Steve Bruce.

5 games, 3 wins, 2 draws, no defeats & 11 points.

That will do nicely for a start!

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Aston Villa v Celtic (U23) - Premier League International Cup.

#celtic fans at Villa Park tonight.#avfc pic.twitter.com/kk58G5x3w6

— Villa Underground (@avfc_vilr) November 9, 2016

Gabby penalty miss for #avfc v #celtic Not a good showing at this level. Hooked off shortly after. pic.twitter.com/DtUIRrW4at

— Villa Underground (@avfc_vilr) November 9, 2016

#avfc teamsheet to face #celtic pic.twitter.com/eO0hKyOyNN

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Steve Bruce has been a breath of fresh air.

Who would have thought we Villa fans, indeed, this blog as well, would ever be saying that?

Villa are suddenly hard to beat, getting the points we would previously have dropped and finally appear to have a manager with tactical nous.

It might not always be pretty under Bruce, but he is certainly setting us up to get the most from games in what is a transitional season.  He is certainly getting the results that Di Matteo didn’t seem capable of, which is obviously a marked improvement.

The visit of Blackburn Rovers represents a huge opportunity to put valuable points on the board ahead of a tricky away fixture at Brighton following the international break.

Rovers are, probably by their own admission now, a strange outfit.  They remain under the bizarre ownership of poultry producers the “Venky’s” & are now seemingly staring relegation to League One in the face.  At the very least they appear to have a relegation battle on their hands.

Their squad looks limited, they languish in over £100m of accrued debt & have recently seen supporters (rightly) protesting.  There are delayed matchday walk ins, coordinated walk-outs but most tellingly, the collapse of a clubs fanbase that has struggled with attendance generally.

Rovers are currently selling less than 35% of their tickets for home games.  For a club with a 30,000+ seater stadium it’s a dreadful state of affairs.

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I don’t blame supporters for staying away, quite the opposite.  Whilst Randy Lerner (our former inept and an absent owner) was incredibly damaging to Aston Villa, he was at his worst just plain incompetent.  Whilst disinterested in our club by the end, he was kind enough to leave the life support machine on.  

The Venkys?  Their ownership defies rational explanation or interpretation from the day they purchased the unfortunate Lancashire club. 

It’s truly a sad state of affairs for a fellow founding member of the football league, formed just a year after our own.  It’s easy to forget that this was a club that won the Premier League in 1995 ahead of Manchester United at their pomp.  Shearer, Sutton and ...... Sherwood!

Blackburn come to Villa Park needing the win.  They arrive however having lost their last two away from Ewood Park and sitting second bottom.  The form table also doesn’t suggest much might change rapidly.

The table doesn’t make good reading, with little to suggest an imminent pull away from the drop zone.  Rovers goal difference of -8 is also worth noting.  

By contrast, we appear to have finally turned the corner and retain the only unbeaten home record in the division.  Wins against Reading & Fulham have been complimented with draws in local derbies against Wolves and Blues.  The latter two games it’s fair to say that the points taken were good points in the circumstances.

We do though see Steve Bruce faced with perhaps the first set of selection dilemmas since his arrival as boss.

Ill-disciplined Jack Grealish is now available after his three match ban has now been served for kicking out in the Wolves game.  Whilst Jordan Ayew starts a ban having collected a number of often needless yellow cards.  

Both are talented, but need to engage their brains more readily.

Bruce also has to mull whether there is a need for the ongoing inclusion of Agbonlahor in the matchday squad.  For all of the pantomine joy his shock appearance at St Andrews provided, his impact both at that game and this season at large remains a contentious issue.

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Football is a funny old game, but it would be a massive surprise if Gabby was the key to Villa mounting a promotion challenge of any sort.

Equally the midfield continues to raise questions.  Jedinak needs to find some consistency along with the unpredictable Gary Gardner.  Ashley Westwood again looked limited against Birmingham.  It wouldn’t be a shock to see Tshibola reappear, fitness permitting.

A win would obviously be healthy this side of yet another (annoying) international break and might finally allow us to look at the top half of the table with some purpose.

It would also be pleasant to plot our route into the playoff spots, which will only become more difficult as sides begin to cement their places.  Interestingly Fulham, whom we recently defeated, have risen to 7th on 24 points having beaten Brentford on Friday night.  At the very least we need to keep in touch with sides who we must feel more than capable of overcoming.

This is therefore a great chance to build upon the steady points return from Bruce’s opening games in charge.  

Anything less than three points must be considered a disappointment given our aspirations & the shape that Blackburn arrive in.  No pressure Steve.

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Time is a wonderful thing.  It allows you to put the emotions of the moment aside and ponder what went before.  

It also means that you don’t have to negotiate the detritus click-bait post match Birmingham Mail brain-porridge.

It’s been interesting sitting back and watching the fall-out from what was a broadly under-whelming derby game.  

It had it’s moments, but this was a hard fought draw in which Villa dug in for the away point after conceding and Blues lacked any real quality.

It was also a strange day.  It’s always a strange fixture.

Fans covertly supping cans of anything alcoholic before 12pm.

Police dogs as interested in burger van droppings as they are discovering kids smuggling flares (sorry “pyro”) into the ground.

And the finest collection of Aquascutum you will find this side of Saville Row descending en masse, wanting to be noticed, but not wanting to be noticed.

Football is funny like this.

And what of the game.

I thought Villa played ok.  Bruce had set us up to be disruptive.  Mile Jedinak, [whom apparently many a Villa fan has been closely following for years] finally began to show his worth.  Interceptions, headers and sheer presence alone were worth the price of admission.

Whilst it could yet become a repetitive phrase uttered when watching Villa under Bruce; it might not be pretty, but it’s damn effective.

In typical Villa fashion, we rode a wave of terror and good fortune.  For every smile there is a grimace. 

Blues’s Clayton Donaldson conspired to miss when it seemed only plausible that he’d score.  That was a particular highlight. 

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The post match annoyance from the Blues fans that the goal was [correctly] not awarded, overlooking that the striker  missed from almost on the goal line.  And also that it actually never actually crossed said line.  Superb.

Villa took the lead after Kodjia was fouled.  From the resulting free-kick Ayew whipped a dangerous ball over and Gary Gardner planted his head to score a fine looping header.  Cue jubilant scenes amongst the travelling Villa fans, as the locals peeled themselves another banana.

“Irayfair”

Gardner ran the length of the pitch to celebrate with the Villa fans.  He’s a Villa fan...like his brother was...is...right? 

Blues did though try to employ some dark arts, attempting to kick off whilst the Villa players celebrated.  

We have since learned that the much maligned Mike Dean (Officiating) prompted Jedinak to remain in the Blues half, thus preventing the kick off.

Jedinak heeded Dean’s advice, wrestled the Blues players trying to push him into the Villa half valiantly and prevented their a free run on goal.  

What great sportsmanship to cement what we already know about the Blues.  Seriously, who even attempts something like that and wants to be taken seriously or not looked down upon?

Foul.

The second half was a different affair as Villa dug in.

This is the new Villa, an unseen Villa in recent seasons.  One which hasn’t ordinarily had the ability to shut up shop.

Gollini pulled off a fine save after Alan Hutton decided he’d like to play an assist to the opposition striker - a massive let off.

Blues though managed their equaliser via a scabby deflection.  It was celebrated like a dubious incapacity benefit application being approved.

The noise was only matched by the screams as Donaldson performed his next trick, hammering wide from 8 yards, goal gaping.  The fear, anxiety and hilarity achieved in just a second must occur at few other places than St. Andrews. [Jongleurs, perhaps being one.]

And then we introduced our pantomime Villain:  Gabby Agbonlahor.

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Gabby came on, ran around, riled up anyone he could form a sentence towards and even managed to get himself caked in Vaseline after suffering a cut to the head.  It was as farcical as it was enthralling to wonder what on earth would happen if he scored. [Of course, he didn’t.]

Villa though could have stolen all three points at the death, with Kodjia guilty this time heading wide from a McCormack corner.

Special mention to Ryan Shotton.  His ‘Worst Haircut Since Taribo West’ award is in the post.  What an absolute numpty.

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And so it ended.

Blues fans wandered back home for their home-cooked Rustler burgers, repeating the mantra that the draw felt like a win. But facts are facts one supposes...drawing with "duh Villuh”....is a win in the world of Birmingham City.

Villa fans meanwhile were treated to a 2 hour impromptu walking tour of Birmingham by West Midlands Poice finest.

Having already been held captive in the ground, the local constabulary thought another couple of hours of marching was in order.  Great work once again.   

It’s also best not mention the unfortunate Blues fan who was apparently pushed over by Police without provocation - with another being kicked.  So much for “protecting the safety of the public”.

That though, doesn’t make for such great self congratulatory press.

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And special final mention for Gary “Villa Fan” Rowett.

Gary, your post match interview is almost ringtone worthy.  As a piece of comedy, it’s befitting of a Perrier Award.  To hear a man so clearly embittered at not being offered the Villa job...well...brilliant.

Roll on April 23rd 2017.

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