AusVillian

Sidwell had perhaps the worst game i've seen a villan play all season, apart from that i had Cuellar as my MOTM and the backline were impressive, terrible service from the midfield and all the set pieces, garbage result really, but coming to expect that from us when it's an "expected" win.

Eurosport are saying A.Young is out for this one.

They are joined on the sidelines by Ashley Young, who sustained a foot injury in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, so Fabian Delph is set to take his place.

Can only see a 5 man midfield if indeed Delph is in the team, well i'm hoping desperatly that's the case. I honestly would love to see Albrighton thrown in, could be a trial of fire but i'd say it may be what we need out wide with Chelsea's diamond formation.

"Oh he's coming on for Carew, alright he's been pants all day get him off" pause "wtf? Delph" then about 10 minutes of groaning at watching Heskey out wide.

Thought we were set up wrong, although it looked promising in the first half as we actually used the ball abit and moved it around the ground well, till the second half where we lost our composure again and just started hoofing it up field, we should be winning these games and with them a man down for the last quarter of the game i thought we played even worse when they had 11, fair play to Blackburn though they worked hard and probably deserved a point but nicked all three.

Friedel- 8 MOM for mine, didn't put a foot wrong, had no chance with both goals and had a few quality saves

Collins- 6 Thought he got caught out of position for the first goal not marking Di Santo, but pressured him well throughout the game

Dunne - 5 Sloppy effort to give away the penalty, worked hard and was solid apart from that.

Cuellar- 6 solid up the back, was shown up a few times though not shutting down the crosses enough for my liking.

Warnock- 7 Strong performance back at his old haunt, good effort.

Delph- 6 had a few classy touches and liked his energy in defence at times, silly effort to get booked though but shows promise.

Petrov- 6 decent enough effort, looked lost on the ball at times though which was dissapointing.

Milner- 8 Dynamic, was the catalyst for the goal with the flick on and always attacked the ball well setting up a few good chances.

Young- 6 worked hard but his set pieces were very dissapointing, put in a few pearler's from broken play that is his saving grace.

Carew- 5 Did he play? really dissapointed, most PL strikers are getting onto Milner's mis-hit volley and sliding it in the back post, Carew looked tired and sluggish from the outset.

Gabby- 7 Worked hard off the ball as usual and got enough on the ball to squeeze it in the goal for his 5th in 5 games, starved of chances though.

Heskey - 5 why was he subbed on for Delph of all people is truly beyond me, was ineffective in the midfield which was already broadcast as soon as the change was annonced.

Dissapointing result in the end but bring on Citeh, UTV.

But we also don't want to concede and lose if we switch to a 4-4-2!!

True enough mate, i think the way Blackburn play is very direct under Sam, i think we may be able to get away with it for this game.

If we actually stay composed on the ball, which we have been incapable of during this season, we should be able to play all around them in my opinion, we should win this comfortably.

What odds on MON subbing NRC if we need to bring on Carew?

Pretty decent but it may be the right move, if we are searching for a goal in the back end of the game i'd rather have Delph in the middle with Petrov as that i feel is the most creative midfield we can currently field for the 4-4-2 with Carew and Gabby up front.

Honestly hoping we bag a couple in the first half and just shut down the game as we have done before this season though. UTV

The Mars Volta - Cassandra Geminni: D. Multiple Spouse Wounds

LOL VERY SWIFT editing there fella!!!!

Lager induced illusion

Really impressed with Dunne and Collins on debut for us in the center of our defence, big and mobile and were kept busy with high balls which were dealt with effectively on the whole i thought.

Why would we neglect the midfield with long balls up front all day and not use Carew up there from the start is beyond me, glad to get away with this one as we played far too direct with no real expectation on most of the balls, strange performance but happy with the 3 points.

Not too bad a window, would of loved another attacking option in the midfield, in Jenas, Huddlestone or Tuncay abit up the field but in the end we made some solid depth signings which we lacked, nabbed a classy wide man in Downing and Delph looks promising, so all in all not bad.

Whistle happy piece of garbage, the boys tried hard, just couldn't get it done in the end, don't know why Gabby didn't start shame really as Heskey was a passanger for the majority of the game, way to break my heart lads, it's 7am haven't slept a wink in anticipation, what a let down, oh well bring on Fulham! .

Just what was expected, hang around and we get scored against, put Gabby on, sub Heskey off, no use in waiting now.

AHHHHH, boys, get a goal don't do this to me lol

Young is cutting them to bits out wide, Milner should of finshed the game right there, unlucky but promising, come on boys finish the job right.

Fair play to the Rapid fans - they're excellent.

agreed, full voiced the whole time even when both goals went in.

CAREW!!!! come on boy's couple more to put my mind, and heart at ease .

I'm the Bloodshot eyed guy at work the morning after a Villa game is played, as they don't screen here in Australia till anywhere between 12 - 4am haven't missed a game since they have been showing live games over here, my sleeping pattern loathes it, but i just scream UP THE VILLA at it and things work out.

VILLAAA!! great saves from Guzan in the penalties, proud of the young squad for stepping up, can only bode well for the future.