Milner sorry for Anfield debacle
Monday 23rd March 2009, 11:36AM GMT.
Villa’s players have apologised for their ‘unacceptable’ thrashing by Liverpool, admitting: “We’ve let ourselves down.”
The claret and blues were torn apart in a 5-0 drubbing at Anfield – a result which left them three points adrift of Arsenal in the race for the fourth – and it was left to winger James Milner to speak up on behalf of his team-mates.
He insisted there were no excuses for their capitulation on Merseyside, admitting the team’s performance simply ‘wasn’t good enough’ and that Liverpool ‘wanted it more.’
Milner said: “Have we let the club and ourselves down? Of course. Losing any game is disappointing.
“To lose 5-0 is not good enough, especially for a club like Villa and especially because of how well we have done this season – and where we are in the table.
“You should not be losing by that scoreline. We were going there feeling well prepared, even though results haven’t gone our way recently, and we were looking to win this game.
“Obviously that hasn’t happened and to lose 5-0 is unacceptable. I don’t think there was a 5-0 difference between the two sides but they obviously wanted it more on the day.”
Villa now have a fortnight to regroup before facing Manchester United on April 5 – the game has now been confirmed for that date – and Milner revealed there is frustration they have to wait so long to ‘put it right’.
He added: “We are disappointed there’s an international break now, because it means it’s going to be a long time for us to have this game on our minds.”
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Fair play Jimmy… i wished our manager or Captain would speak out and apologise but it wont happen!!
I think M’ON has reached his level and his decisions of late have cost us massivly!!
Report abuse
Thanks for the 3 points ;)
Now go get United!!!!!
Report abuse
So Milner doesn’t think there was a 5-0 difference between the two sides!!!
He’s right there was more light 8-0 difference between the two sides!
Villa were battered and outclassed and any player coming out saying any different is deluded!! The sequence of results over the last 7 or 8 games don’t lie!!!
The players need to be realistic and focus on the next game (ManU away). Your supporters deserve a little honesty and in turn some form of result the next game. Stop treating them like idiots with ridiculous statements like this one from Milner. you owe them a performance which can start at Old Trafford.
Report abuse
I really hope that Villa put it right in the next match. United 0 – Villa 1 will do nicely thanks.
Report abuse
there wasnt a 5-0 difference, up until the second goal we were in it and we gifted you four of the goals….
Still you aint gunna win the league and chelsea will beat you in the champs league so enjoy it whilst you can…
Teams will soon double up on the Crim Gerrard and then the invisible torres will be found out!!!
Report abuse
V111A that is very childish!!!
There was a big difference, believe me and the rest of the country may I add!!!
As for the other statements you have got to be in it to win it! were still in with a chance of the league and still in with a champions league as it stands!
Oh and we’ll also be in next years CL competition AGAIN as well. Unlike some smaller clubs I could mention!!!!
You are in good company Madrid 4-0, Utd 4-1 and Villa 5-0! you got to be happy with that!!!
Gerrard – Best in the World said Zinadine Zidane. Or should i listen to the world renowned V111A instead!!!
Torres – Best forward in the world says, well everyone.
Sorry your talking nonsense now!
You need a reality check! the sooner the better. Then you maybe get back to winning ways. All starts at old Trafford.
Report abuse
Hate to say this, but I think Martin has taken Villa as far as he can. I can only assume that he is on a very tight budget, given that our most expensive signing is £12 million and he tends to steer clear of ‘Big Name Players’, preferring to sign players he can handle. A similar situation came up at Anfield a few years ago, where Gerard Houllier won 3 or 4 trophies in 1 season, but not the golden fleece. He took them as far as he could then went. The requirement is now for a manager, not afraid to spend money, to bring in the quality to take Villa to the next level. Harsh, but true!
Report abuse
Your honestly gonna say that steven Gerrard is on the same level as kaka, messi and ronaldo???
Whos the 1 who mensioned being realistic lol
The fact of the matter is… regardless of how many times the reds threw themselves to the ground at every opertunity, we lost and they were the better team on the day… Villa play better after they get a hiding.. The man u game should be very intresting :) UTV
Report abuse
The fat lady has finished her set at the albion!
Report abuse
The bottom line is that it’s already been a very long season for us- we need 4-5 quality additions so that we aren’t so tired at this point next year.
4th place is still within reach.
UTV!
Report abuse
No 6….
You sound correct now but wait until you play chelsea and they have Mikel or Essien in the defensive role, someone who can stop Gerrard…
Your a good side no doubt but come back end of the season cus Torres and Gerrard aint best in the world… No England players are for a start not technically gifted enough…
It all liverpool at the mo but id put good money Man Utd will win the league and Chelsea will knock you out champs league….
You bottle winning the league like Villa bottle breaking the top 4…
Forget what everyone tells you bigshot – tell me how many times liverpool won the league in the past decade???
I rest my case!!!
Report abuse
Aaron, Mike and Popeye take a bow! You turned a ridiculous post in to an intelligent and realistic debate!
Stevie J you’re a joke! MON has done, and is doing a great job and it’s going to take a couple more years at least to reach the Level of the top 4! and thats being generous.
Don’t forget the previous managers you’ve had and also your flirtation with relegation. You are now a top 7 club.
Whatever happens Villa have over achieved this year.
Be patient!
Report abuse
O niel has said it himself when he started he had a 5 year plan.. were in year 3 n hes took us from fighting relegation battles to fighting for a champions league position..
It takes some manager to do that… how anyone can say martin o niel should be sacked or should leave.. People have short memories… yes he made a mistake throwing in the towel in the uefa cup… yes if we dont get 4th itl be dissapointing.. but even if we finish in 5th its still higher than what we finished last season.
the seasons far from over yet. Arsenal still gotta play the top 3 n theres loads of points to be won and lost…. A good performance againsed utd (Regardless of the result) and a win againsed everton and everyone will be positive about us getting top 4 again… Thats the ups and downs of football..
As fans all we can do.. and MUST do is get behind the team AND the manager.
UTV !
Report abuse