DeepDish

It was Dunne who lost the ball to Berbatov. Dunne did the unusual mistake that cost a goal.

Strong team. Very good. Would be idiotic to risk losing the momentum we have by falling out of the FA Cup. This bodes well for Sunday (if we win).

Updated after the Burnley match.

Gotta give credit to Fletcher and Carrick. They were class and probably the reason why Milner were struggling all the match. They were boss.

Time to let Delfouneso test himself in some of the matches against "weaker" opponents. With Gabby. Time to let Delph start some matches. Time to rest Downing a couple of matches. Happy with a point, but still feel a bit disappointed that we did not want to win when we came out in the second half. What happened? And o'boy Milner is bad when he has a bad day at work. But he will come back.

That is statistically fallacy. It's a bit like those who are on the roulette and think that after 8 black in a row, chances are bigger that the wheel will show red the next time.

Downing was introduced in the game against Burnley after 70 minutes. We equalized with Heskey in the 70th. minute. I don't remember if Downing made an impact from my viewing at the telly. Bit Milner, who were moved into the central midfield had the assist. He then played from start when we won against Pompey. He scored. Milner also scored from the central midfield position and had an assist. Downing then played from start against Hull. We won 3-0. Yet again one of our central midfielders scored and made an assist (Milner). Downing started when we won 1-0 against United. Downing started when we won 2-0 against Sunderland. Heskey scored after another assist from Milner, who played central midfield. Downing started when we won 1-0 against Stoke. Then we had two poor matches against Arsenal and Liverpool, where Downing started but did not play as well as the earlier matches. After that Downing has started in 5 wins and 3 draws. Not made a huge impact lately, imo. But facts are: After introduction of Downing, we have won 10 matches, lost 2 and had 4 draws (of which 1 we were under before Downing came onto the pitch). We have also stated to see that our central midfielders give assists.

We started actually to play football after the introduction of Downing and with Heskey in the team. Remember the assist stats from our central midfielders before Downing and then after Milner was moved in. They tell all we need to know.

It's a bit funny reading people who don't even bother to watch the game have a go at the team and all they come up with is wrong bullshit.

Fluent? Is it fluent to hoof the ball up from their back four to Crouch all the time? Or as the Bentley stats showed after first half: 0 completed passes but 6 or 8 (dont quite remember) crosses (all into the box toward Crouch). Stoke is more fluent.

We are struggling with all their long balls against Crouch.

Updated after the Fulham match.

Heskey is getting better and better. And I like that he is tactically very smart, and he has nice touches. I think Gabby lack that smartness, Gabby, when he is off form, seems to shoot when he should go round the keeper, try to go round the keeper when he should shoot and shot low when he should lift the ball. Iy just seems that it is going too fast for him to think. And we can laugh that Heskey is almost falling over when he scores, but he is good enough and smart enough to round the keeper at the right time, so the goal is open and it doesn't matter if he is off balance. I would like to see more of Heskey and Delfouneso now for some matches to give Gabby some rest.

I lost it when we were 2-0 down. I rarely do. Come on, now. It looked like we did not want it in the beginning. FFS, must work harder.

Have no idea. But we need to score again.

Guzan; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; A Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing; Heskey, Agbonlahor.

Ok, I'll go there. When should I be there?

So, where do the Villa fans take a beer before the match. I'm coming over from Norway and I am a very thirsty fan

My team: Guzan Beye Collins Cuellar Warnock Albighton Milner Reo Coker Young Delfouneso Heskey

I would sacrifice a league cup win (who gives 100 000 pounds in price money) in order to get a CL place and thus increase our spending on players (buying better players and be able to pay higher wages). I think that will give more trophies (LC and FA Cup) in the long term.

I think Diaby outclassed our central midfield. And when our two wingers are both playing poor, then we have a problem.

Stats updated after the Stoke match.

Stats updated after the Sunderland match. Interesting to see that Milner now has 8 assists and 4 goals. After 17 matches!!!

Speaking of missing people who go on the defencive: Where is tricella?

Match today. Match Tuesday. Match Saturday. I think now is the time to do some rotating. Maybe put in Reo Coker for Petrov and Carew for Gabby.