1 Point Draw with Stoke

California Lions @ The Mad Dog in the Fog (San Francisco) for the Stoke game.
(l-r  Jay, Rick, Simon, Lee,  Howard, and lil' Jamil)

It wasn't a very good game for the Villa today...good thing it was also not a good game for Stoke City (except for that called non-goal that I do not want to see any more replays).  A point is a point.  (nil-nil draw)

Merry Christmas!

AVFC California wishes all Villans a very Merry Christmas!  We hope to see some of you out tomorrow for the Boxing Day match between Villa and Stoke City.

Boxing Day and New Year's Eve

Televised games coming up - let's get all Villa supporters out to the Mad Dog in the Fog (San Francisco), The Olde Ship (Santa Ana), and The Shakespeare (San Diego).

26 December 2011:  Villa vs. Stoke  11:30am kickoff (pacific)  Fox Soccer Channel
31 December 2011: Villa vs Chelsea 7:00am kickoff (pacific) Fox Soccer Channel

Liverpool and Arsenal

These 2 games were complete opposites.  Against Liverpool, the Villa lads looked totally disinterested almost to the point of seemingly giving up on the season.

Amazingly, the loss versus Arsenal yesterday was a game much better played by the Villa.  I like seeing the youngsters in the game....Albrighton, Clark, Bannan.   Albrighton is a spark plug and should have been in the starting 11 long ago.  Gabby, on the other hand, seems to be very sluggish.  Some of it may have to do with the absence of Darren Bent due to injury, but we need Gabby in the form he was earlier in the season.

3 Points and an Away Win....Finally.

Marc Albrighton was in the starting 11 and he shined in Villa's victory over Bolton 1-2.  Sillyan Petrov and Albrighton scored Villa's goals.  In his first premiership start, Brad Guzan played a tremendous game in place of the injured Shay Given.

3rd Round FA Cup

I have just heard that on Saturday, 7 January 2012, Villa vs Bristol Rovers 3rd Round fixture will be televised live on ESPN (9:30 am kick-off Pacific time)

Villa nil-1 Man Utd

The match remained close score-wise, but Villa just couldn't overcome the 1 goal first half deficit to Man Utd.  Man Utd, especially in the 2nd half, looked beatable today.  Just not by us I guess.  Shay Given left the game in the first-half with what looked to be a hamstring injury (Brad Guzan played the remainder of the game).  Not sure what to make of this game.  AMc sure looked angry on the sideline - my take on that is that the Villa lads were not able to implement AMc's game plan and it was driving the gaffer crazy.

Note: the most recent reports are saying Given's injury is not serious (let's hope not).

Ugly

Not sure what to say about that match yesterday against Spurs.  It was plain ugly.  Villa looked totally disinterested.  Spurs were aggressive on defense and Villa, well, looked like they were afraid to get too close to the man with the ball.  Possession and shots were totally lopsided in Spurs favor. When you give any team the opportunity to walk into the penalty area with the ball and shoot multiple times, eventually they will score.

The "disinterested" part scares me.  This is the first time I think I have seen this with the Villa.  Not sure what to make of it.  To top it off, it appeared that there was no change in game plan after coming out for the 2nd half.  Huh? 

Dang it!!

I am at the Streets of London pub in J Street in downtown Sacramento and found out that todays game is not on ESPN2, only on ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com.   Fortunately, I have my laptop so I'll just have to watch the match on the "small" screen.  Up the Villa!

Corona, CA Neighborhood - Premiership

I stumbled upon an interesting neighborhood in Corona, CA (45-50 miles south east of Los Angeles).  It is a little development (looks like an in-fill project).  The interesting thing about it is that the street names within this development are "Aston Villa Way", "Bolton St.", "Arsenal Way", and "Fulham St.".  The street names surrounding this little cluster of town homes look like regular street names (no football connections).  Sure would like to find out the story behind this.  Of course, Aston Villa Way is that main street!   UTV!

Shambolic Football Podcast

Our own Ken Kawamura, AVFC California member, has started producing a podcast focused on the Premiership and is now available on iTunes. Click here:  Shambolic Football Podcast

Victory!

Gabby and Bent join forces to take down Norwich City 3-2 yesterday and lead Villa to 3 points.  Gabby set up each of Darren Bent's 2 goals and scored one of his own.  A great day for the Villa and all of us Villa supporters around the world!

Honorary Member

Today, AVFC California received a note from our honorary life-member, Mr. Tom Hanks.   UTV!

AVFC California Presence @ Lions Club Lounge Opening

Our very own Adam Shah is interviewed on AVTV during the opening of the brand-new Lions Club Lounge at Villa Park!  Way to go Adam!  Another one of the great benefits about being part of the Lions Club Network for which AVFC California belongs!

(I used my little digital camera to post the video - sorry about the quality)

Is this a sign of a spiral downward?

2 losses in 2 weeks (Man City and WBA).  My opinion is that we were robbed by the referees in the WBA game.

In today's news - Barry Bannan arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.  Geez - one of our better players too.   This is not a good sign of how the team is reacting to this dry spell and the frustrations from the WBA game.  Let's keep it together lads.  There is alot of season left.  Don't follow Rooney's example!

Villa midfielder Bannan arrested on drink-drive suspicion after 5:30am M1 smash
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2052774/Aston-Villas-Barry-Bannan-arrested-drink-drive-suspicion-M1-crash.html#ixzz1bkEOq9YU

Villa vs. Man City

AVFC California members will be gathering Saturday morning (15 Oct 2011) for the televised game between our Villa lads and Manchester City.  Kickoff (pacific time) is 7:00am.

The Shakespeare Pub (San Diego)
The Olde Ship (Santa Ana)
The Mad Dog in the Fog (San Francisco)

UTV!

Sweet Victory! Villa 2-nil over Wigan

"Gabby Gabby Gabby Gabby Gabby Agbonlahor!" was heard throughout Villa Park as Gabby led Villa with a goal and an assist to Darren Bent as Villa breaks it open for a 2-nil win and 3 crucial points.  Wigan didn't test Shay Given much and Gabby took over on offense with his pace and power!

Gabby's first half goal

Bent's second half goal (assist from Gabby) to seal the win.

Darren and Gabby celebrate after second goal.

How Many Draws Can Villa Fans Take?

Actually, the draws are not that painful, but how today's match went vs. QPR, watching a win slip away because of an own-goal equalizer in extra time.  Probably the worst way to end the game.  QPR outplayed Villa in the first half, but a penalty kick taken by Barry Bannan helped Villa forge ahead 1-nil.
Considering how lackluster our play was today, I'll accept the draw.

(Photo Credit - BBC Sport)

Carling Cup 3rd Rd. Draw - Bolton

The Villa has drawn Bolton for our next Carling Cup match - scheduled for tomorrow (20 Sep 2011) 11:45 a.m. kickoff (Pacific Time) @ Villa Park.  There is no scheduled U.S. television broadcast, so you'll need to scour the internet for a live streaming feed somewhere.  Up the Villa!

Gabby and Shay Save the Day

Gabby scored a sweet first half goal, but Shay Given was the man  of the match - making brilliant save after brilliant save to allow Villa to maintain a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at the final whistle.  The 15-20 minute, Villa looked sharp.  But after taking the 1-nil lead, the energy level dropped significantly.

Gabby and Petrov Help Villa to Draw with Everton

Villa had to come back 2x today.   Down nil-1, Petrov drove a shot from outside the box and into the lower right hand corner of the goal to get Villa to 1-1.  After dropping a second goal to Everton (1-2), Gabby scored a header 80+' to bring Villa back again 2-2.  

It was a nice 2nd half effort, but the first half looked a bit uninspiring.  We need a win.

Stillyan Petrov

Gabby Agbonlahor 

(celebrating with Marc Albrighton)

We're Official for 2011-2012!

Stalemate at Villa Park

This morning's match vs Wolves was disappointing.  Villa had a few chances but could not capitalize.  Other than a few good runs, the game was not a pleasant one to watch (especially at 4am).  Gabby seems to be the only player with potential to create something.  Bent didn't get any chances and N'Zogbia did not impact the game.  It wasn't due to the amazing play of Wolves.  Not winning these winnable games at home can ruin a season.  At least we were able to gain a point out of this nil-nil draw.

(click on image to go to avfc.uk.com report)

Carling Cup - Round 1

Click on image to go to AVFC match report.

Fantastic first game at Villa Park

Goals by Heskey, Agbonlahor, and Bent in the opening home game at Villa Park give Villa a 3-1 win over Blackburn today.  The biggest change that I saw... once we took a 2-nil lead, we didn't sit back and play "to not lose".  Villa kept the pressure on and didn't fold like they did several times last season.  (When Blackburn scored in the second half to make it 2-1, Villa's aggressiveness help them extend the lead to 3-1 rather than playing tentatively and giving up a late equalizer.)  UTV!

Goal #1 Gabby!

Goal #1 Gabby!

Goal #2 Emile!

Goal #2 Emile!

Goal #2 Emile!

Goal #3 Darren!

Goal #3 Darren!

4 a.m. in Honolulu

Your AVFC California chairman was in Honolulu for the opener against Fulham.  It was dark and quiet on the island, but the Villa was on in the Pacific!  UTV!

Enjoying Kahuku Shrimp (windward Oahu)

Sergio, an AVFC California member was at Craven Cottage for the game!

Sergio!!!

Villa Draws with Fulham

I was up at 3:30am to watch the Villa on opening day versus Fulham.  Both Villa and Fulham had chances, but nobody scored in this 0-0 draw.  I give the nod to Shay Given as man of the match.  More than once he stopped Fulham from scoring today!  One point to start the season?  We'll take it!

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2419347,00.html

Villa battles Braga to a 1-1 Draw

The arrival of Charles N'Zogbia has started with a bang!   I'm ready for the regular season to start - let's go you Villa!

Villa in the Asia Cup Final

Darren Bent is continuing his scoring ways!

2011-2012 Kit

Well - here are the 2011-2012 kits.  What do you all think?  I am still disappointed that Acorns still isn't back on the shirt somewhere.  Genting Casinos?  One positive....Nike is actually on time with them!

Villa takes Walsall in Pre-Season Friendly

GK Given Signs with Villa for 5 Years

Shay Given signs a 5-yr contract with Villa.  

Carew and Reo-Coker released.  Friedel to Spurs.  Young to Man Utd.  Is Downing next?

"Mirror: Stewart Downing will today deliver a hammer-blow to new Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish - by insisting he wants to join Liverpool. Villa have ordered want-away England winger Downing to report for pre-season training this morning. And chief executive Paul Faulkner has firmly told both Liverpool and Downing's agent that they will not be pressurised into selling such a prized asset."


Shan Givens and Scott Parker:


"Birmingham Mail: Shay Given is poised to become Alex McLeish's first signing next week with Villa close to striking a deal for the Manchester City goalkeeper. The clubs are likely to agree a fee of around £3.5 million for the 35-year-old stopper, who is set to replace Brad Friedel as the claret and blues' No.1. Villa are also confident of Given accepting their personal terms, even though his £80,000-per-week City wages are expected to be cut to below £60,000.

The Sun: Aston Villa hope to seal a £4million deal for Manchester City keeper Shay Given by the end of the weekend. Villa are close to agreeing a fee for the Republic of Ireland star after 40-year-old Brad Friedel left on a free to join Spurs. Given, 35, is behind Joe Hart in the City pecking order but they wanted Villa to up their £2.5m bid.

Mirror: Aston Villa are ready to make a move for Scott Parker - as Stewart Downing prepares to tell manager Alex McLeish he wants to leave. Parker had talks with new West Ham boss Sam Allardyce yesterday, with his future yet to be resolved. Harry Redknapp was red-hot favourite to land Parker, but the Spurs boss is under strict orders to sell before buys and his squad is overloaded with midfielders."

2011-2012 Away Kit Unveiled

Hmmmmm...chess anyone?

Genting is new shirt sponsor

Genting, international resort and leisure company, is the new shirt sponsor for Villa.  Personally, I still miss having "Acorns" across the front of the Villa shirt.  I hope that Acorns can be placed somewhere on the new kit.  Will just have to wait and see.