Villa Knocks Out Ipswich - FA Cup Rd. 3

Not the greatest start by the Villa - giving up an own goal in the first half, but the 2 second have goals (Bent and Weimann) secured the comeback in this 3rd Round FA Cup match.  Weimann came off the bench.  Shay Given was solid in goal.  Two cup runs still alive - Up the Villa!   Bradford City net in the  CapitalOne Cup!

A Point is, well, a point.

Not a horrible outing against West Brom.   Down nil-1, we were able to find that equalizer late in the game from Bent.  I'm still waiting to see Benteke breakthrough.

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Not sure what to make of all this stuff in the news about Bent being frustrated about not being in the starting IX this past weekend.  I wonder if it is mostly the media that want to make something more of it than is really there.

Implosion vs. Southampton?

The first half of the match was great.  Villa looked much like where they left off last week with Swansea.  Bent scored and we enjoyed a nil-1 lead.  But something "cracked" at halftime and a different Villa team took the pitch.  The defense slipped back into their "let's try not to lose" form and Southampton took complete advantage of it.

It's still early.   Let's bring things back together again vs. West Brom.

Now what?

Nil-nil draw to bottom-dweller Wigan.  Bent injured.  Keane leaving.  Today's game was 90+7 mins of frustration and wishing we received points for errant passes.  Sigh.  The ongoing strategy of playing defense and kicking the hail mary long ball has got to stop.  It's like watching a hockey game and Villa's opponent is always on the "power play".  Clearing the zone for a 2-min hockey penalty is one thing, but using this defensive strategy for the entire game at full-strength?  C'mon now.

Draw with QPR; Albrighton on the Shambolic Football Podcast

The battle with QPR started very poorly with Villa falling behind nil-2 early.  But Villa came alive right at the end of the first half with Darren Bent's 100th career Premier League goal.  Villa started playing  some attacking football in the second half and Charles N'Zogbia knocked in the equalizer in the 79th minute to help Villa salvage a point.

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Marc Albrighton was a special guest on the most recent Shambolic Football Podcast - a program co-produced by one of our AVFC California members Ken K.  and his mates in Santa Ana.

Photos

(1) Dunne's header

(2) Bent's Goal

(3) The Awful PK Call - Bent gets the ball before any contact with VP.   (but the way we were playing - it may not have made any difference).  

I really don't want to talk about it....

Dunne and Bent score in the first half and Villa goes into halftime leading Arsenal nil-2 at the Emirates in Round 4 of the FA Cup.  But then the 2nd half collapse...all within 15 or so minutes.  Part of it was the referee's awful calls - all against Villa.  Two of the three goals that Arsenal scored were pk's which means the ref basically gave Arsenal 2 goals.  Their 3rd goal was a deflection of an Arsenal player in front of the Villa net.   Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!   Got to forget about this one and move on.  It was ugly.  Not a good time to be without Albrighton and why didn't AMc bring in Bannan sooner??

Keeeeeeeeeeeane! Villa 3-2 over Wolves

Despite going up 1-nil against Wolves on a Darren Bent PK, Villa's form wavered just as in past games.  Villa's defense looked unorganized and ripe for the taking at an moment.  So - what was the difference in the game? A man named Robert David Keane (on a short 2-month loan from the MLS side LA Galaxy)!   Keane scored 2 goals for the Villa from range and he carried Villa to a victory.

1-1 draw with Everton

It was nice to see Bent get back in the scoring mode.  It's been awhile.  Congratulations to Shay Given - first game coming back after injury and he made a magnificent save against a header from....Stephen Warnock, his TEAMMATE.  That was scary!

Villa was fortunate to get through the first-half nil-nil.  The lads were playing uninspired football.  Second half brought more energy and resulted in the Bent goal.  Then we shifted into "let's try not to lose" mode and we give up the equalizer.

Let's take the point and move on.  (...I'm not a Donovan fan, but it would have been nice to have someone  with his skill level on loan to Villa from the MLS)

More of the Same

Well, the players had the same names and they were wearing claret and blue, but it sure didn't look like the same team that beat Chelsea just days ago.  The difference?  Bent in, Albrighton out.  Seems that the team plays completely different when Bent is in.  Simon A. also pointed out that Villa is really only playing with 10 players on defense when Bent is in.  I agree.  The offensive play is focused on Bent which is really one-dimensional.  Without Bent, all the other players need to think a little more offensively and keeps the other team guessing more.  Can't figure out why AML didn't go with the same starting 11 that played against Chelsea?  We definitely could have used Albrighton's pace.  Seemed like Villa was always a step or two behind Swansea players.  Oh well...back to normal.  Villa loses 2-nil.

The Game of the Year (so far)

Goal 1 - Stephen Ireland

Goal 2 - Stilyan Petrov

Goal 3 - Darren Bent

Villa's visit to Stamford Bridge today was a demonstration of the skill and determination that we know is within Aston Villa Football Club.  Stephen Ireland, Stilyan Petrov, and Darren Bent scored as Villa rolled over Chelsea 1-3.  What a great way to end 2011.  3 well-earned points against one of the top teams of the Premiership.  Brad Guzan played a great game as did everyone on the team.  What really made a huge difference was that the Villa defense did bend, but did not break.  UTV!

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!

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.

Villa Hangs on for Victory!

Darren Bent scores 2 goals and Villa barely hangs on to get the 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates today.  Bent's first goal was quite a show...chesting down a pass on the run and then directing it in the net without the ball hitting the ground.

Villa Draws with Stoke 1-1

Darren Bent scores the equalizer before halftime to help Villa gain a point versus Stoke City.  Brad Friedel had several great saves to keep Stoke from scoring a second time.

Darren Bent's header scores the equalizer late in the first half.

Villa Gets Past Man City with Bent's Foot

Can you believe it?  Darren Bent gets signed and in his first game with the Villa, he scores his first Villa goal and it turns out to be the game winner.  As we watched, holding our breath every second, we joked about how that was the 24M goal and IT WAS WORTH IT.  The defense also withstood the desperate onslaught of shots being taken by Man City in the final 20 or so minutes

These 3 points have the potential to turn our season around.  There should be a ton of momentum and confidence.  First win in that last 11 games.  It's been a looooooooooong time.   UP THE VILLA!

Scoring Summary

Aston Villa	Manchester City
Darren Bent (18')

Match Stats

Aston Villa

Manchester City

9(7)	Shots (on Goal)	25(2)
12	Fouls	12
2	Corner Kicks	13
1	Offsides	2
31%	Time of Possession	69%
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
2	Saves	6

Darren Bent to Villa for £18million rising to £24million

Villa signs Darren Bent (coming from Sunderland) for a transfer fee of £18million, which could rise to a total of £24million.   Bent does bring a legitimate scorer to Villa's front line, but will this actually translate into goals for the rest of the season?  Villa and we supporters are counting on it!

The Telegraph "Darren Bent insists he did not pursue £24m move to Aston Villa for the money"

The Guardian "Darren Bent heads for Aston Villa in record £24m deal"

MSN Sport UK "Bent agrees terms with Villa"