Villa blog: What credit crunch?

Villa blogger Dave Bytheway mulls over a mixed week for England, plays score predictor and plans to save you a mint on a trip to Hamburg ahead of the clash with Portsmouth.

With no domestic action this week for Villa, all eyes were on Fabio Capello’s England in the World Cup qualifiers.

On Saturday, Borat’s boys from Kazakhstan came to wembley with clearly nothing to lose. They played with pride, enthusiasm and a bit of quality that was underestimated by England.

At half time, the overly common corporate boos ringed around Wembley with the score at 0-0.

When will these people in the suits realise that international football is not as it was. There are no easy matches now, especially at Wembley. A team of part time apparent no hopers will play the game of their lives, give it their all for 90 minutes.

The trick is to stay calm and keep to the game plan, as England did prove again Capello’s tactics were spot on.

In the second half, after taking the lead, Ashley Cole made a mistake, an honest mistake. Again the merchant bankers decide enough is enough, and heckle Cole from all sides.

My brother, who got back last night from Belarus, refuses to go to Wembley for England games like this, because the atmosphere has been poisoned by the corporate fans, high on free beer and caviar, thinking they know the game better than the manager and players.

The negative booing does nothing but affect everyone in a bad way, from the fans to the players. About half an hour later, these ‘fans’ were on their seats watching the new ‘best team in the world’ after winning 5-1. Fickle? Better ask Mr O’Leary to define.

Wednesday was always going to be tough in Belarus, but once again Capello’s tactics were perfect, even managing to find places for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the same midfield.

It worked with Gerrard on the left, basically because Gareth Barry was always there to cover his reknown indiscipline in keepng his position. But it worked, and worked well, wih him scoring a superb opening goal.

From then on it was all about Rooney and his sheer class, doubted amongst some recently, came out. ‘The Roon’ and Heskey really compliment each other, so the likes of Owen and company will be looking on a little worringly. A good win, with maximum points in the group.

Back home, we welcome Portsmouth on Saturday to Villa Park, and more importantly Mr Redknapp himself. I do hope he keeps his dummy in his mouth this year, as last year was a little embarassing for him to say the least.

I predict a good home win and a good open game. My tip? Villa 3-1 Pompey.

On a personal note, I have managed to overcome the airlines ‘football hike’ of match flights to Hamburg.

We now fly from Birmingham to Dublin, Dublin to Bremen, then the train to Hamburg, all for the credit crunching price of £88.25 return!

Not bad, considering its quadruple that at least for direct flights if you can get one.

Have a good weekend.

Up the Villa!

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