There was to be no cup giant killing yesterday much to the disappointment no doubt of those who are not of the claret & blue persuasion. Bournemouth had already beaten Small Heath and WBA this season but found the cream of the Midlands to be made of sterner stuff when they sought to make it a trio of wins against West Midland opposition yesterday.

The Cherries came to Villa Park with probably more people expecting them to be in the draw for the next round than thought we would be. But the majority of people were proved wrong and they can no longer claim to have scored more goals in Birmingham than we have this season!

Eddie Howe made eight changes to his team having made more and still been able to knock WBA out of the League Cup earlier this season. But promotion is their primary objective this season and we wish them well in that. We did our bit to help their cause yesterday by ensuring they are able to concentrate solely on the league for the remainder of this season without the distraction of the FA Cup.

The Cherries have yet to beat us and in the league or in the cup and happily that remains the case. But they gave a good account of themselves yesterday particularly during the first half when they looked to have as good if not a better chance than we did to prevent this tie going to a replay. But two goals in twenty second half minutes gave us a two goal cushion and a place in the draw for the next round. Their consolation goal did not arrive until the 93rd minute which fortunately left them with very little time to search for an equalizer and to raise our collective blood pressure.

We have now beaten the top and the bottom team in the Championship and await a home draw with a third Championship team to continue our cup run. With the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs already out of the cup only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United of the big guns now stand between us and a Wembley appearance. We can gather some confidence from scoring goals and winning games during this cup run that could help us get the points we need to secure our top flight status.

We could even lift a major trophy for the first time since 1996 and win the FA Cup for the first time since 1957 thereby overtaking Chelsea and Liverpool’s 7 wins and drawing level with Spurs on 8. That would bring us European football again which we have gone too long without and it would bring an end to what will be 58 years of FA Cup hurt should we fail to lift the trophy and run around the Bull Ring with it this season. It would also put a gloss on what has up until now been an abysmal season at Villa Park.

My player ratings from a game in which the only shock was that we scored two goals for the second time this season are:

Shay Given – 6 – Did very well to turn an O’Kane shot from the edge of the box past the post on 32 minutes. Produced another solid cup display on those occasions he was tested yesterday.

Alan Hutton – 7 – Alan produced another reliable performance and claimed an assist for our second goal.

Jores Okore – 7 – Very solid again yesterday and his partnership with Ciaran looks better with each game they play alongside each other.

Ciaran Clark – 7 – Led by example.

Kieran Richardson – 6 – Made a rare start and was in the right place at the right time to clear an effort from MacDonald off the line with an outstretched leg on 19 minutes after their player had pushed the ball wide of Given. Kieran could yet play a part when called upon during what remains of this season but he does need to get forward more often and with some more conviction.

Leandro Bacuna – 5 – Leo was another to get a rare start yesterday. A quiet game overall during which he did not do quite enough; often enough to further his claims for a regular starting place. But on the positive side he did play a part in both goals to show fleeting glimpses of what we have seen from him in the past.

Carles Gil - 8 – MOTM – Provided us with a world class opening goal on 51 minutes on a very encouraging full debut. Bacuna found Carles on the right; he stepped inside leaving a defender in his wake before curling a spectacular shot into the top far corner of the net from the edge of the box. He provides us with some of the threat, trickery and forward movement that we have been lacking for too long.

Tom Cleverley – 6 – Produced a decent workmanlike performance.

Carlos Sánchez – 7 – Another good all round midfield display.

Andreas Weimann – 7 – Headed a 9^th minute cross from Hutton inches wide. Andi hit our decisive second goal having started the move himself with a ball to Bacuna who played a one-two with Gil before hitting a sweet ball through to Hutton who in turn pulled the ball back to Weimann inside of the box who hit the ball past Camp and into the bottom corner of the net. That sweet finish topped off another hard running performance and one in which he showed some good forward movement.

Christian Benteke – 5 – Still looks below par and lacking in the confidence that a goal can bring but needs to get more involved to make things happen for himself. Might have opened the scoring on 22 minutes but he was unable to control a through ball or test the keeper by getting a foot on it. Collected the ball and ran across the edge of the penalty area on 49 minutes without being able to get into the position he sought to get a shot in himself before playing the ball wide to Gill whose shot hit the side netting.

Substitutes:

Ashley Westwood – Replaced Gill on 87 minutes. Ash was not on long enough to earn a rating but he almost claimed a third goal when Benteke found him and he ran to the edge of the box before forcing a stoppage time save from Camp who turned his on-target shot around the post for a late corner.

Jack Grealish – Replaced Bacuna in the 95^th minute and was not given the opportunity to claim a rating.

Up for the FA Cup Villa!

John Lewis

Source: Player Match Ratings: We’re Aston Villa we score when we want!