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West Ham United Vs Aston Villa: Villa moves to top three with win over Hammers

December 21st, 2008

Aston Villa moved into the top three of the Premier League Table, as they grabbed yet another victory over West Ham United at Upton Park.

James Milner cross was deflected of Hammers’ Lucas Neil, as his side scored a 1-0 victory over the home club and went ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal in the League.

At Cravens Cottage, Fulham continued their great form at home, as they demolished Middlesbrough 3-0 with goals from Clint Dempsey, Jimmy Bullard and Danny Murphy.

Cottagers stretched their unbeaten run to seven games and moved to the eighth position in the League.

Early goals from former Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor and Ricardo Gardner allowed Bolton Wanderers to defeat Portsmouth 2-1 at Reebok Stadium.

Gardner and Taylor scored only within 3 minutes from kickoff and made it too tough for Pompey to make a comeback. Although England International, Peter Crouch, did allow the touring side to make a comeback in the 20th minute, it was too late.

Blackburn finally took to winning ways under a new boss and registered a much-needed 3-0 win over newcomers Stoke City at Ewood Park.

Benn McCarthy scored twice and Jason Roberts once, as Sam Allardyce, new Rovers manager, had a great first outing.

Sunderland, playing without a permanent coach after Roy Keane was sacked, also scored a 4-1 away win over Hull City at K.C. Stadium.

3-late goals from Black Cats allowed them to get on the winning track and gave Ricky Sbargia, their caretaker boss, a reason to feel relieved.

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Everton Vs Aston Villa: Villa wins a thriller at Goodison Park

December 8th, 2008

It was yet another great performance by Aston Villa at Goodison Park, as they scored a wonderful win over Everton, who continued to struggle on their home turf.

It was one of the most remarkable finishes of the season, as injury-time saw 2 goals and Villa claimed a 3-2 victory over the home side for recapturing the fifth spot in Premier League table.

The drama started when Everton scored an equalizer (2-2) through the second goal from Joleon Lescott. At that stage, it was believed by them and their fans that they have secured a crucial point from the game.

However when the celebration was at full swing in the Goodison Park, Ashley Young broke away for grabbing a winner within 60 seconds to make it 3-2 and a win for Villa.

Earlier in the game, Villa broke the deadlock only 34 seconds into the game through Steve Sidwell. However, their lead was cut short by a lapse in defense and a crucial flick from Everton defender Lescott in the 30 minute.

Another game saw Peter Crouch saving the day for Portsmouth, as his equalizer denied West Brom their first victory in 9 games at The Hawthorns.

Jonathan Greening gave the Baggies a lead in the 40th minute when it seemed that Pompey was still having the effects of their mid-week loss at Wolfsburg, which confirmed their exit from the UEFA Cup.

However, English International smashed his 9th goal of the season and dashed the hopes of a victory for the home side.

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Stoke Vs Hull: No winner from the Battle of the New Boys

November 30th, 2008

New boys of Premier League, Stoke & Hull, came out of a tough encounter at the Britannia Stadium and ended the game at even terms with a 1-1 score line.

Prior to the start of the game, Stoke was looking for their fifth straight victory at home in the league, whereas the club from Yorkshire tasted only one defeat on road this season.

A curler from Hull’s Marlon King got them in front on the stroke of half-time. However, a well-taken penalty in the second half from Ricardo Fuller allowed the home side to equalize.

Meanwhile, Bolton trashed Roy Keane’s Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Lights.

Although the home side got the lead through Cisse in only the 11th minute, 2 goals from Johan Elmander and one each from Gary Cahill & Matt Taylor scripted another horror day for the Irishman.

Another game saw Wigan beat last-placed West Brom 2-1 at JJB Stadium to record back-to-back wins in the league.

West Brom did hold the early advantage with a goal coming from Ishmael Miller in the 47th minute.

However, Wigan came back with an equalizer from Henri Camara in the 61st minute. A late winner from
Emmerson Boyce sealed the game for Steve Bruce’s side.

Aston Villa kept their fourth position in the league, after they managed a goalless draw against Fulham at Villa Park.

Again, Newcastle United came out of relegation zone when they played out a goalless draw at Riverside Stadium against Middlesbrough.

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Ferguson: O’Neil is amongst the top Premier League managers

November 21st, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson feels that Martin O’Neill has the talent to lead Aston Villa into the top four of this season.

While he was managing Celtic, O’Neill was amongst the front runner for Ferguson’s job at Old Trafford, when there were rumors of Manchester United boss stepping down from his job.

As the Scot ruled out any possibility of stepping down in the immediate future, his name drifted out of contention.

However, he accepted the challenge offered by Villa owner, Randy Lerner, with both hands and has assembled an inspiring squad that is packed with young talent of the league.

After brief stutters, victory over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium has taken Midlands giants on equal points with Gunners in the league table.

Ferguson feels that it is possible that Villa can end the season by toppling one of the Top Four sides in the league.

Ferguson said, ‘They have the ingredients to finish in top four.’

‘They’re currently on level terms with Arsenal and catching on us in the table. This is a great position for them to be in and will lead to an interesting final stage of the league.’

‘Without any doubt, Martin is amongst the best managers of the game.’

‘The only way to judge managers is by their performance over a period. His record with Leicester, Celtic & now at Villa is enough to count him amongst the topmost in the league.’

Meanwhile, Ferguson was worried ahead of an encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park, as Dimitar Berbatov received a hamstring injury during Bulgaria’s friendly against Serbia.

It was revealed that Berbatov will not be available for at least 2 weeks. However, Ferguson confirmed that the injury was not serious and he will be match fit soon.

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Arsenal Vs Aston Villa: Gunners receive another setback in their title hunt

November 16th, 2008

Inconsistent Gunners received another setback in their Premier League title campaign, as they lost 2-0 at Emirates Stadium to Aston Villa.

Although Alumina made an excellent save to stop a first-half penalty off Ashley Young, an own goal from Gael Clichy and one from Gabriel Agbonlahor sealed the game for the touring side.

This is the second defeat for Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. It has allowed Arsene Wenger’s men to move down the table.

Liverpool, on the back of goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerard, swept away the disappointment of a shocking exit from the Carling Cup by beating Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

Chelsea defeated West Brom 3-0 at The Hawthorns, as they continued to hold on to the top position in the leader board table.

Manchester United also registered a crushing 5-0 defeat over Stoke City in Old Trafford. Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and one each from Carrick, Berbatov and Danny Welback (England U-19 International), who scored on his debut, wrote the script for a comprehensive Red Devils’ victory.

Meanwhile at St. James Park, Joe Kinnear’s men almost came close to a win, but were denied by a late equalizer from Titus Bramble, former Newcastle’s old boy, that led to the game ending at 2-2.

Fulham continued their impressive run at home with a 2-1 win, as they handed the first defeat to Harry Redknapp’ stint at Spurs.

Roy Keane’s Sunderland also registered a win in the league. They defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park on the back of a goal from Cisse.

Portsmouth and West Ham United played a goalless draw at Upton Park. Although Zico’s men celebrated their first clean sheet in 25 games, their fans left the stadium minutes before the finish showing their disappointment with the team.

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Newcastle United Vs Aston Villa: First back-to-back win for Magpies in six months

November 4th, 2008

Newcastle United’s Obafemi Martins played wonderfully, as he blasted his side out of the relegation zone of Barclays Premier League.

Battlers of Joe Kinnear claimed their second successive victory by defeating Aston Villa 2-0 at St. James Park.

It was the second time in 6 days that Obafemi, Nigerian International, scored for the Magpies. His 2 goals in the 2-0 win allowed Newcastle to lift to the 14th place ahead of arch-rival Sunderland (goal difference).

This was the first time that Newcastle recorded back-to-back league victories since April.

These six points, which they got of visits from West Brom & Villa (midlands duo) within a span of one week, represented a major boost in the side. Again, it was the first clean sheet for the Magpies since August 23.

In the game, Kinnear’s side survived the stern test of their own resolve against an emerging side of the Premier League.

Magpies were able to fend of the challenges thrown at them by Villa persistently in the first half.

In the second half, the home side came up with a renewed spirit, which has been common feature to them after the arrival of Kinnear and through Martins’ 2 goals sealed the game.

What would have impressed Newcastle’s interim manager even more was that his side won the game in absence of star striker Michael Owen, who came on the pitch during the final stages of the game.

Now, he would be hoping that this rejuvenated showing keeps on improving and they retain the position in the league, which they are accustomed to.

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Tottenham Hotspurs Vs Aston Villa: Spurs dismal run continues with 2-1 loss

September 16th, 2008

Tottenham Hotspurs lost their third game of the season, as Aston Villa defeated the North Londoners 2-1 at White Hart Lane.

This is the worst start from Spurs, as they have only scored 1 point from four games.

Goals from Ashley Young and Reo Coker were instrumental in architecting a disappointing loss to North Londoners.

However, Spurs cannot point finger at the transfer saga of Dimitar Berbatov for their current defeat. This defeat has come primarily for some good attacking display by Martin O’Neill’s side. They dealt with everything that their opponents threw at them.

Heurelho Gomes, Spurs keeper, did make a good save in the game that prevented the Villa lead to be doubled after Reo Coker scored the opener in the first half (fifth minute of the game) for the visiting side. However, Gomes was at fault when it was his lapse in concentration that saw Villa doubled the lead through Young.

Although Darren Bent scored a fortunate goal in the dying stages of the game, it was too late for the home side to achieve a point from it. Again, the late goal did not see any lapse in concentration from the Villa defense, which consistently persisted on and didn’t give any opportunity.

With their 3rd loss in four games, now Spurs will have to dig deep and make the best use of their resources. Players like new draftee Pavlyuchenko, Bent and Woodagate will have to play at their best for their side to come back to winning ways.

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Injury troubles at Villa Park

September 11th, 2008

Aston Villa, who is currently in the middle of the table in the Premiership with four points from two games, has once again got an injury to add to their ongoing woes.

The player out injured this time is none other than the ever (read ‘over’) enthusiastic Steve Sidwell, who was signed in just concluded transfer window from Chelsea. He is out due to a knee injury obtained while playing for the Villa reserve team.

He had earlier got a calf setback, but was nonetheless deemed a starter for the away match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Villa medical staffs are having this injury as a tough nut to crack. Having a good performer always keeps the team management thinking about the chances of the player in any match, and this one is no exception.

The only on-field action, which Sidwell has witnessed while playing for Villa, is two games in the Intertoto Cup against Odenese.

According to Martin o’Neill, this injury could be quite disappointing in case Sidwell has to miss the match.

Meanwhile, Holland international Wilfred Bouma has revealed that he will be able to get to action in January. It can even be December. However, he has to be very lucky for that.

The defender, though, insists that it is the first time he is having such a long injury spell, and has got improved patience as a result.

Carlos Cuellar, another draftee, is ready to play in the first team after performing in two reserve games, thus providing some relief to o’Neill.

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Barry likely to continue playing at Villa

August 2nd, 2008

After a transfer season that has been filled with speculations over the future of several star players in their club, it has been confirmed that Gareth Barry, Aston Villa & England International, will stay at Midlands Club.

Liverpool and their coach Rafael Benitez have been in hunt of the Villa midfielder for most part of the season. According to the Liverpool boss, the 27-year old midfielder has been on his wish list for a long time now and was now looking to get him play at Anfield.

Gareth Barry, with a transfer to Anfield almost likely at one stage, was showing great expectation of playing with his long-time friend & Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard in the center of the midfield.

However after Liverpool failed to successfully complete the deal, which they had with the Villa officials over the £18 million pound transfer for Barry, within the stipulated, it seems highly unlikely that the England Star will be a part of the transfer.

Again, the Midlands Club’s officials have also confirmed that Barry will stay at the club for this season, as Liverpool has failed to deliver the goods within the agreed deadline.

Meanwhile, after transfer of Robbie Keane to the club, Liverpool is no longer the club in the ‘Big 4’ to be considered as high on moral grounds. After almost 50 years of continuous show of fair play, on or off the field, experts believe that the club has lost the honor, which the club once held.

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