Villa took on and finished Blackburn with some relative comfort in Alex McLeish’s first home game, but the result may be costly with 3 Villa players leaving with an injury and Shay Given finishing as he did last week at Fulham, with James Collins taking his goal kicks.
McLeish started the same eleven that started at Craven Cottage, which although it is attacking, it is a little worrisome; knowing our only attacking options left, should there be injuries are the untested Weimer and still to impress Delfouneso.
Blackburn started out of the gates a little sharper of the two sides, with Poulliet looking like trouble on the left wing.
Villa scored with their first real attack in the 12th minute. It was a superb solo goal by Agbonlahor, although, saying solo is unfair on Bent and Petrov. Petrov won a loose ball on the edge of the Villa box, skipped prettily away from his man and ran up to midfield. He fed his through ball for Bent, who was making an intelligent run toward the left channel. He controlled and laid off a pass to AGBONLAHOR, then ran to the middle to await a pass. Instead, Gabby dipped his shoulder, cut outside, slid the ball inside with his right foot, catching Salado out and leaving another defender out of position, cutting in toward goal, he unleashed a lovely curling shot around Robinsons outstretched arms. His 50th premiership goal and I doubt he’s had many sweeter.
Gabby, was now buoyed by his goal and tried his luck again. This time Robinson saved comfortably. But, he was certainly Villa’s busiest attacker.
Blackburn was lucky to have 11 players on the pitch when David Dunne kicked Luke Young. The ref astonishingly didn’t even warn him. Dunne was able to go for 5 more dirty challenges without getting a card, and was getting away with it, but justice was served in the final minutes when Salado decked his team-mate accidentally.
In the 24th minute Villa went 2-0 up. Super work by Delph and Gabby set up HESKEY whose low shot from outside the area eluded Robinson.
Villa was running the show now. They should have been 3 up in the 34th minute. Bent fed Heskey, who was through on goal, but his first touch let him down.
Agbonlahor was flattened in the box by Robinson and again the ref amazed everyone, even the normally biased Trevor Francis, by giving the free kick against Villa!!! Francis said he didn’t think it was a pen, but it was certainly more a foul on Agbonlahor than on Robinson. But, Gabby was injured and was replaced by Agbonlahor at the half.
Rovers were much brighter in the 2nd half. Villa was looking a shadow of themselves with Gabby gone. Inevitably, Rovers scored. Poulliet skipped around Young and Albrighton. Marc did not get back to him fast enough and he sent a measured cross for Pedersen to head home.
Luke Young was immediately withdrawn and Warnock came over to right back and Villa’s only defender on the bench, Clarke came on.
After some more crunching fouls by Blackburn players, the ref had had enough and decided to start punishing them from now on. Problem was, it was Villa players booked, not Blackburn’s. Heskey, Delph and Petrov who got cards for each ones first foul. Heskey’s was minor compared to 3 of Dunne’s fouls.
Heskey had to come off due to an injury too and Barry Bannan was preferred to both Ireland and Makoun. Bannan didn’t disappoint. His surety on the ball, composure and passing made it so fans really didn’t miss Heskey, who had turned in another very very good game. N’zogbia, in particular came alive as he fed off Bannan’s clever little flicks. The little Frenchman so needs a clever player to bounce his ideas off.
Villa took the nervousness away with a 3rd goal. Petrov’s shot should have been dealt with by Nelson, but the Aussie, who looks like he should be playing another type of football, on the round pitch, mis-controlled the ball and Darren Bent does not need a second invitation. Three goals all by our new defenders that were converted from forwards, as our Small Heath groupies will let us know.
Albrighton had a chance at a 4th and again Bannan and Albrighton combined well, but the Scot hit over the net. Zoggy had a mazy run on the byline, but Albrighton failed to gamble on the far post and his cross went harmlessly wide.
Blackburn played some pretty tippy tappy stuff at the end, but they’ll know overall it was a pretty insipid display by them.
Going into the Hereford match, Villa need to rest Given, Young, Warnock, Petrov, Gabby and Heskey to let some of those knock heal.
Players deserved of a mention: Collins, Dunne, Petrov, Delph, Heskey and Agbonlahor. But, everyone played well.