Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Blackburn 0 Villa 1
Thursday 14th January 2010, 10:00PM GMT.
James Milner’s first-half strike gave Villa the upper hand at the halfway stage of their Carling Cup semi-final tussle with Blackburn.
Milner swept home Stewart Downing’s cross after 23 minutes to hand the claret and blues a precious lead after the first leg at Ewood Park.
With Villa’s 5,000-strong support drowning out the tepid home following, Martin O’Neill’s men were outstanding in the first half and could have easily gone in at half-time further ahead.
Gabby Agbonlahor should have a penalty after a challenge by Christopher Samba inside the box after 40 minutes but instead referee Mark Clattenburg booked the Villa striker for diving.
The visitors had another strong penalty claim right on the whistle when Pascal Chimbonda appeared to handle inside the box, only for Clattenburg to again give the decision the other way.
But Rovers rallied in the second half, and Villa were lucky to escape when Nikola Kalinic twice fired against the same post – first with a header and then with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area.
Both sides had further chances in what proved to be a pulsating second-half .
Agbonlahor forced a fine reaction save from goalkeeper Paul Robinson, while down the other head Steven Nzonzi spurned a glorious opportunity at the death after heading over from a corner.
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I thought our fans were terrific last night, but I do have to ask, Why dont they do it at Villa Park? Villa fans are well noted for being unusally quiet at home, why is that?
Regarding Gabby’s yellow card, Refs are so keen now, to stamp out the diving culture that has for so long blighted our game and of course, show themselves to be seen activly trying to stamp it out, it is sometimes having the obverse effect.
I dont doubt there was contact, but players often force it, or leave a trailing leg too ensure it, A difficult one for a Ref.
However, a goal to the good, with a home second leg to come. Lets hope Villa fans show the same enthusiasm at Villa Park.
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