4Serious

After three draws with Stoke, Wolves and Sunderland and then an epic 7-1 reverse, I think it's safe to say that our form can't get any worse. It IS safe, right? (I mean, relegation teams tend to pick up 2-3 points from a run of games like that.) The sad thing is my belief in all the players is so shattered that I can't even pick a team. The only players I'd definitely play are Ashley and Big John. As they've rounded back into form, the rest of the team has fallen apart. The second Warnock was mentioned for England he fell apart. Never seen a player decline so suddenly, it's been noticable in every game I've seen. I would definitely drop him. But I will say that the season isn't over, and anyone with a knock or exhausted should be rested for the semi. We're not getting 4th with our knackered team and three decent teams that would all have to screw up ahead of us, so let's accept it, blood the youngsters some more against a team we usually handle, and get ready for the semi. Up the Villa, now more than ever.

If anyone gets a link to MONs after-match interview could they post it? I'm wondering how he explains this one away, how he's going to lift the side, just what the hell he'll do. They cut to him on the sidelines a lot during the second half. The man takes football very personally, and he looked devastated.

My brother's a Chelsea fan. We watched it in a pub with my visiting father. Oh the shame. The hot, red-faced shame. The only good thing is that it blows the excuses away. We've been poor for over a month, but it's been covered up by drawing with other poor teams. Now our flaws and weaknesses are there for the world to see, and MON has to adress them. Let's not go over the top, it's just one game. But what a disgusting game. The worst part is that it takes all anticipation away from the semi for me. How are we going to compete with this lot after that?

Now all of a sudden, if we're risking all these guys, then we need to get something here. I wouldn't have minding trying out the other guys and saying 'rest the main lads, whatever we get here is bonus'. But MON's throwing it on the line here. Either that or they're all magically fit!

Agreed on all counts. I actually don't have any of the nervous energy I had before the last three games, as this game won't make or break our season as they did. If we get something, great, if not, nothing has changed. I'm just going to sit down with my Chelsea supporting brother *spit* and enjoy it. We've both agreed, no gloating on this one, the semi is where the bragging rights are at. And the team selection will be fascinating. I actually really want to see that Sidwell plays. He's not the out-and-out dud some make him out to be, he's against an old club... I reckon he might put in a performance. I'm also looking for Ashley Young to continue his great run of form - a lot of people who aren't Villa fans haven't noticed how well he's playing at the moment - if he can do it against Chelsea it'll be a huge boost for his WC chances. (Also, as an aside, I've two tickets in the Villa end for the semi, brother wants to go... Not sure what I should do there... I reckon I could ask him to not wear colours and keep his mouth shut, but I'm telling him he wouldn't enjoy it. I've had the same experience in Stamford Bridge too many times. Seriously, I **** hate the Bridge. I'd also feel bad smuggling in a traitor, you know. At the same time, he's a good guy and I owe him. Gah...)

Yep. He needs games to improve, but not games of this magnitude. If he was to play it should have been earlier in the season, and then we'd know if he was ready now. Since we don't know (and he didn't look it on Sat), we can't play him. Downing's nowhere near as bad as people are making out. I still think we played well enough against Wolves. Wouldn't mind seeing the same team but Gabby for Heskey, but with the defence told to cop the bloody hell on. The thing is, we all know our problem is not scoring enough goals. So I reckon MON sent them out against Wolves to pure attack, which they did, and did well. We didn't take our chances and were left exposed at the back. We also couldn't rely on the long ball / through ball game as that's Gabby's trick, and we missed him. Despite all that, I'd like MON to do the same again. Go for it, constant attack, everyone getting forward. With Gabby in the side they'll be pulled apart at the back, and we'll get chances. The one thing I'd say is, and I want to say this BEFORE the match - A draw = a loss here. We must win. There's no 'in a week this might seem a good result' if we draw. We have to win, and if we don't it doesn't matter whether it's a loss or draw, as we'll have to beat Chelsea and Man City anyway.

Spain have to be hot favourites, but a) how often do the hot favourites win, and they have a murderous draw once out of the group stage I like the look of Argentina and Germany in the top half of the draw, I think either could make the final, Germany well-coached but with lack of star talent, Argentina massively talented and shockingly coached. The one time Argentina won it was because they had one guy who could run rings around the rest of the world. It could happen again, despite Messi's history with them. England can get to the final, no doubt, but I think it's all going wrong for them at the moment with key players (Gerrard, Terry, Cole, Hargreaves) well out of form or injured, and as a neutral I don't trust their midfield or goalkeeper one bit, nor do they have capable international-level back-up for Rooney. As an Irishman I know France are rubbish with the mental strength of wet newspaper, and they've no Zizou to pull them out of the merde this time. As an Irishman I'd also like to see England do well (semis) but ultimately lose. They are a massively fun to watch drama/comedy, after all. I've been abroad for two world cups (not at the world cup, just abroad) and everyone watches England's games in much the same way as they would Brazil or Argentina. As for the bottom half, any bloody thing could happen. If Brazil end up 2nd in their group (more than possible with Portugal and Ivory Coast) we'd have a Brazil - Spain round of 16 match, which would be a bit of a tragedy. Either way I think one of those two teams will make it, though I'm not yet fully convinced by Brazil and whether they'll have the balls to commit to their new style in the World Cup. But Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, all of these teams will have a shot. So I'll go for a Spanish speaking Spain - Argentina final, with Spain taking it. My dark horses would be the Netherlands. (Despite their world rankings who's talking about them?) And I think the African teams are going to sadly disappoint, with the possible exception of Ghana. In fact, if I had to predict an upset, Ghana-England (which is what I expect) in the round of 16 would be tricky for Capello's boys.

Nah, no way. There's no Tim Donaghy out there, and if there was he'd be caught eventually. Remember Calciopoli? People aren't stupid enough to take such risks when literally millions are scrutinizing their decisions world-wide. I reckon it happens all the time in the Eastern European leagues, and wouldn't be shocked if some no-hopers down in League 2 decided to have their friends make them some money and started throwing games, but the Premier League? Not a chance in hell.

Having slept on it, it almost feels worse. I honestly thought we played well for a lot of the game, created some chances that weren't taken, especially in the first half when we should have been out of sight, but two moments of madness cost us. Not sure I agree with the slating of Downing. Thought he was alright, and carried a little bit a of a threat. He suffers in comparison with the once-again excellent Ashley, who really is finding his best form again. If people expect Downing to be another Young then they've got another thing coming. Really, I though everyone was alright going forward bar Heskey, who holds the ball up well though so little ever comes of it unless the defence screws up like our late equaliser. It often feels like playing with 10 with Heskey. The man is just anthrax to certain supporters, unfortunately. I like many others go into a rage when he's on the team sheet, though I support him fully when he's out there. Carew does little more than Heskey, perhaps even less, but the point is that that's acceptable when you've two goals in your locker. The fat Ronnie made a career out of it. The problems in the team yesterday were the full-backs and Heskey. If we'd had Gabby we'd have won, and that was a horrendously unlucky injury blow in a season where we've had mostly good injury luck. I'm still not sure the middle of our midfield creates enough, but I thought both Milner and Petrov were alright, apart from Petrov trying to get sent off before the half and Milner's own goal, which I actually thought was poor. I'd stick with them - when they have Gabby to play with they can do more - it's hard to create without movement up front. Terrible result but not a truely terrible performance. Could have won easily, it was just one of those days. I thought we were worse at Stoke, tbh. Get Gabby back, a new striker in the summer and we're nearly there. It just gets frustrating being 'nearly there' all the time.

Yeah, I know it's ridiculous, but I'd love a 15M+ bid for Gervinho. Dream on... My problem is that if MON brings in a striker for any price, let's say he's a roaring success, and relegates three of Carew, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Fonz to the bench. (Assuming we play 2 up top.) If we go on a bad run, and things start going sour, don't you feel like MON would say 'We have to stick with the starters, we have nothing on the bench'? It's like the act of being on the bench makes MON lose all faith in players. What do the likes of Luke Young or Fonz have to do to get a look in every so often? Even Sidwell can offer something, and I feel sometimes Petrov should be given a rest, as to be fair he busts his ass. However we doubted he could fix the defence, and until yesterday's game they were superb all season. So let's see if he takes another step forward this offseason. tl;dr - MON can buy who he likes, a squad is useless unless you know how to use it / are willing to use it.

I thought Warnock was appaling, Heskey too. I have no idea where people get this tiredness idea from when the team comes out playing brilliantly until their goal and then goes into hiding. So 'tiredness' only affects them selectively and at certain times, yes? It was a mental problem we had today. The players MON picked were good enough to beat Wolves, and should have. For the first time in a long time we have to look to our defense to blame for a defeat. Yeah, a defeat. At this stage of the season near the top of the table, there's winning or losing. Draws are worth f-all. Another two draws and I'd say we're done in this race. If we can't beat Wolves with a one goal start at home, then I might say we're already done. At least MON threw caution to the wind, but can we see now why he doesn't bring on the likes of Albrighton? He trains these players, he knows them. Perhaps he thinks the Fonz would look just as lost. Then again, he could hardly be as bad as Heskey. Gah, so frustrating. Damn it, yesterday was one of the worst days I've had in years. Really thought the Villa would pick me up today. Guess them's the breaks.

2 minutes ago. Can I say I called it? Feels good, man. 8)

When the write the book on this season, I hope Heskey's apologists aren't given a chapter. You know, I hate to say it, but this feels like one of those games where there's a late goal in it for us.

Don't like this sub. Downing isn't great but he does carry a threat. Sidwell's not too likely to score, IMO.

Not looking good, I'm afraid. It's ridiculous how much we need Gabby. 4th place is looking further and further away...

If Petrov walks that's it for us here. MON needs to have a word at half time. We're getting back on top though.

The team came out playing class. It's individual sloppyness that's cost us, nothing to do with tactics. MON takes no blame here for me.

Typical after being talked up so much, (new contract and all that) before the game, that Milner would score quite a poor own goal. What was he going to achieve by making a tackle from behind there? I fancy him to get one back at the other end. But ever since Wolves scored we've gone off the ball. We bloody let them back into this one, they had no confidence until their first. Oh so close Downing!

Oh my god, what's going on. Cuellar dives in... Bollocks Bollocks Bollocks.

:confused: I'm watching it on Sky - so so they! Funny, I thought they were pulling for Villa, if anyone. I was just thinking how much they were patronising Wolves. I'd be pissed off if I was one of their fans. Sky haven't had a bad word to say about us all day.

This is like anti-Villa at the moment. We look dynamite going forward, and have fallen asleep 4 times at the back. Sloppy passes and clearances, now that goal. Wake the eff up guys! Bloody awful goal. I'd be pissed off if I didn't think we'd don't have a couple more goals in us.

Absolutely deserved. It was funny that the commentator basically admitted that not even Wolves believe they won't lose here, and then had to embarassingly backtrack. The very next minute we score.

Jesus they've done so little we just fell asleep at the GOAAALLL CAREW!!!!! GETTT IIIINNNN

We are really playing some great stuff at the moment. There has to be a goal soon! Much better game than I would have thought. Much quieter thread than you would have thought. *tumbleweeds* Everyone's there?

Good start, should have scored. Still, bodes well. Didn't have one chance that good against Stoke. Keep it up lads.