Malachite

dab: Absolutley, Collins has found his true calling and its Aston Villa, him and Dunne, Warnock, a slighlty lesser extent Cuellor, immense, the pairing of Dunne and Collins is a stroke of genius IMO, they could prove to be the most effective back 2 in the country this season. Undesirable: I just get the feeling Gabby has stepped up a level, and watching his pure athleticism tonight, at one point i thought the programme had stopped and was being fast forwarded, his sprint to the ball didn't look real.

That i do agree with, its very easy to pick flies out of certain situations certain players etc, reality is, Man City have got a fair few top quality players, world class players even, everyone of our players had to give 100%+ to stay with them, that was the only way, and we did, its common sense that it follows that class will eventually show, late on the game it was all getting very stretched, we had players that were at that point slightly of the pace, we let them in, but they struggled like f*** for that goal, only because it was late on and players were getting tired did they get it, so no criticism from me there. Could have gone either way, we matched them pound for pound as they say.

Voj: If you had just spent hundred's of millions and been matched man for man by a team you really she be putting to bed, wouldn't you be narked, he has a couple of players there that cost more than MON has spent in 2 seasons, kind of makes a mockery really, see you point though.

I watched him in the 59th when he ran down Troure, and Troure must have had 25-30yds head start----------Gabby just flew past him and Troure is rated to be a fast player, don't know if Gabby has got faster, but one things for sure, i have never seen a football player move so quick.

Mr Dogg: Agree, a huge amount of effort and endeavour by Villa, just graft, graft, graft, I've been critical of Ash Young recently, one word immense, for me his tackling back, effort, concentration, and him and Gabby are like the chuckle brothers, brilliant.

You have to say in fairness to Heskey and NRC that was a bl**dy difficult game to switch on to for any player and i'm no Heskey fan thats for sure.

Great game, have to say i wouldn't even begin to dishonour either side by any kind of rating IMO, Villa for most parts were totally solid, a really great performance to the man, we have a very very good back line Collins looks a Friggin mountain and Dunne same, would actually say we have a better set up than last season. Good game, and fair result, for all there money if they are going to be true contenders for the top 4 then its teams like Villa and Spurs that they must overcome, they didn't do it. Meant to say did anybody notice the sprint to the ball by Gabby and Troure in the 59th minute great entertainment.

Huge, massive, enormous, exciting beyond the point of human comprehension is just scratching the surface, when the boys step forth onto that holy of holiest of grounds looking like gladiatorial Goliaths, you've seen Brad Pitt in TROY, that gives you some idea, only you'll be looking at 11 Brad Pitt's, and like Brad Pitt were he was up against some big fat ugly git with a bald head, we are up against 11 of them, Gabby, Ash and the boys will deliver a thrusting blow tonight that will sink these tyrants from the North Western tribal lands, a dark and foreboding place, full of, dark elf's and demons that call themselves the Adeboyors, the Tevez's, De Jong a mystic race of oriental decent full of ancient spells and curses, and wonderful wok cooked food that you can get with boiled rice and chips. Fear not, Ash will plunge deep into the heart of the beast with a rapier like cross that Gabby will rear up to meet, just like Brad when he leaped dramatically in a fantastic manoeuvre thrusting his dagger into the enemy monolith, Gabby will drive the final blow home, sending these horde's back to the nether world from which they emerge from twice a year. So, I'll go and lie down in a darkened room with 2 Asprin and be ready for the battle.

I think we should sell Heskey, Carew, and sign Shakira, play her up front with Gabby, no problems, there won't be a cross from Milner or Young, that she won't deal with. Anybody that's seen She Wolf will agree.

MON put Heskey on to get the sympathy vote from the Blackburn defence, the grand plan being they would give Heskey the benefit of the doubt and let him score.

Firstly to allow a team back in the game as quickly as Villa allowed Blackburn back in the game after delivering a crippling blow within minutes of the game starting is a big mistake in anyone's books. You definitely take advantage of those breaks when they come your way. IMO, Friedal kept the score respectable, i was amazed at how flat footed Villa's midfield was and this to a very average side, a side that easily could be fighting to stay up towards the end of the season, some very obvious problems for me, Heskey is not Premiership, i really couldn't give a crap what Capello thinks of him, he's wrong, does he actually come and watch Heskey when he plays for Villa and we all know what will happen to England when they play a serious team that wants to win. When Petrov goes out of a game its like he's been abducted by aliens, he simply disappears, another point i would make is MON really needs to get Ash's head right, its one of two things, either, he really has no answer to the way defences are handling him, or he's just not focused, he is simply a shadow of the player he was a year ago and before, IMO we need Downing as soon as possible so Ash can be sidelined for a few games which my bring him round, that or he will get the hump and leave the club. For me the worst thing that's come out of this is not the fact that we have been beaten, not the fact that they deserved to beat us, its the fact the confidence and fear factor that we have worked hard to form regarding how well our back four have come together, giving us leverage when we come up against the bigger sides, has simply gone, next opponents will study this on that pro zone thing that is the new football bible and know exactly how to beat us.

Massive game this, because if we get this we have had our best start for a very long time. I would start with the settled back 4, I would drag Young (if he plays) from the left side into a more central roll just tucked into the hole behind Gabby, he's getting tagged way to easily on the left, I think Fabs is showing he is going to be a huge force in the game, Blackburn would be a great run out for him allowing him to get used to the Premiership. And of course its as plain as the nose on everybodies face that Gabby continues this form he's in, IMO he is well capable of putting Blackburn to the sword, lets hope he's up for it.

Solid result, don't think any injuries there, it looks like Everton and Spuds are taking this very seriously, understandable, who the hell put Enckleman in that kit, i nearly threw up, don't they like him, Enckleman forget pink get stains its a lot less conspicuous, made me laugh, Gabby's goal was excellent, very cheeky but not a word in terms of reporting as to how well he took the goal yet when Ronaldo scored a virtually identical goal against Villa he was heralded as the new messiah and only a world class striker could have that kind of audacity, amazing.

Indeed, that's the one the FA change the rules to an indeterminable full time whistle, and in small print, until Utd score.

Good result, done enough, one is all it takes, Milner should have had the pen, that said, you can't blame the bloke from being put of by a 6ft stick of rock.

I would include Delph, Gabby and Ash just to give Cardiff something to think about, if we don't include Gabby and Ash then the fear factor is considerably reduced IMO, they'll be bouyed by that, also agree with the comment about the CD partnership, include Delf, he needs to start making his mark now in important games.

Have to say i'm looking forward to this one, not a bad side Cardiff over the last couple of seasons, one point i would make, IMO this could be Villa's best chance of Europe next season, i think we go for this silverware, its one we can get and that maybe the big 5 will perhaps will not bother with, personally i wouldn't start with an under strength side, see how the game plays out. Would be nice to see Villa at Wembley again.

Trentvilla: I went to get some water, before i could get back he's come on and gone of. Seriously hope he's not to injured.

Turamber: Agree, one of the factors that make the truly great sides even better, why go for 3-0 when you can secure the 1-0 or 2-0 win, its the same points tally at the end.

I thought at times Villa made it look soooooooo easy. But when it was needed Friedal came up with the goods, just get the impression and the confidence he has, he's got a good solid framework of a defence in front of him, these lads are just going to get better. Gabby, do you know i take the micky a bit out of Gabbs not being the brightest star in the heavens, how stupid is that really, took it upon himself to improve his strength and agility in the lay of period, nobody had to tell him to do this, he knew within himself this would make him a better player didn't it show, game after game now, i give him MOTM based upon the goal, which felt a little like the one he missed at the end of the BCFC game. A very good 2-0 win without exerting ourselves.

villa4europe: Close game, like any home team Blues played with commitment, did Blues deserve 3 pts, IMO no way, why, well because they didn't look dangerous enough in front of goal, didn't create anything, Blues played with pride and played physically with fighting spirit, and Villa were on the back foot, but we were composed at the back and structured, Blues could not break Villa down, i bit like a top boxing match were you see the local lad fighting with passion, crowd behind him and then, bang....sucker punch and he's down, no IMO Blues didn't deserve all three, but i would go along with you in the fact that they maybe deserved a point, thing is, to win games you have to score goals, and that mate is it.

Great game, always tricky affairs, best thing you can take from that is our back four, they are going to settle very nicely IMO, Ash was painfully quiet, but no going to dwell on that, Gabby again was busy making chances and that vital, vital winning goal that he seems to do in a lot of the big important matches, and if you can consider Heskey as an established England player, then Gabby Agbonlahor is a must shout for England. Have to say i think MON played that excellently, Blues were always going to make life difficult, it was always going to be close, we kept it tight at the back, not brilliant in midfield but good enough, and lets face it we had enough chances before the goal went in to be 2-0 up IMO, not counting the Gabby and Carew chances afterwards, to much adrenaline flowing at that stage, important thing was we got the 3 points, and Gabby is back, just like the run up to Jan last year. MOTM for me.

Think we have solved the Laursen problem, once the new lads settle and get familiar with each other, very solid IMO, good work rate, good stuff, personally i think this is going well, local derbies are always dangerous especially away, wouldn't change a thing at this point, i think that would be naive, for me, MON needs to get Ash into the game, Blues are exploiting is weakness perfectly, he simple isn't a physical player and this is always going to be physical, Gabby is doing well up front and you have to say he's laid to reasonable opportunities for Milner, I would go into 65-70 mins, if Ash doesn't get into the game bring him of, put Gabby just short of Carew up front. We are doing OK, and on the plus side defence looks good, Ash needs to come earlier and deeper for the ball so he has a clear run at is marker.

Both Villa Players, IMO, both very good players, i personally think Milner edges it for reasons mentioned, his work rate, the fact that he is just as capable of defending as attacking, if we need bodies behind the ball, i wouldn't be to quick in condemning Young for being a bit petulant, IMO he is nowhere near the full picture yet, and how he plays his game will be sorted with experience IMO, either that or we will have a player with a massive ego, i also think Downing will be excellent for us once playing!!!! all Villa players.

Think Mon will quit if he See's things getting to such a state with no way of establishing the status Que at the club, also if you remember Mon said 5 years, well if this season turns sour, we won't recover in the 5th season that's for sure. He will walk in a very considered and deliberate business like manner. As for the pundits on the box, they say that about every manager coming under pressure, its like a clique, they did it with Newcastle last year, they do it until there is no way back for a club other than relegation, then they come out and say how shambolic the club as been run, did that with Newcastle also. Liverpool tomorrow, then 2nd legg Rapid followed by Fulham and then B'ham, I can honestly see Fulham giving us a real battle, i think Liverpool will be a bridge way to far for us, so the banana skins are without doubt IMO, Rapid and B'ham, if we win both, Mon will remain intact, to lose both and we become real strugglers in the Prem, thats when i think Mon would say, enough is enough.