COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Aston Villa (A)

By Ken Buckley   ::  14/01/2012 Summer sun and clear blue skies on a freezing day sort of summed up the game ? coulda, shouda... but didna.

Clattenburg was the official after some four years absence due to his homage to the dark side. He got some but it wasn?t anything to write home about but a Blues home game for him against the dark side may still be some way off. To think that this ref plus Atkinson have been elevated to FIFA?s elite list beggars belief. It?s not that they are bad refs, it?s the perception that they are celebrities first and refs second that infuriates fans of all teams outside the Sky preferred teams.

We had ex-Manc Gibson making his debut and a first start for Duffy as the central defensive preferred pairing are crocked, along with many others, so it could well be described as a patched-up Blues that took to the field.

We started well and the first time the ball arrived at the feet of Gibson some 30 yds out, the inevitable shout of "Shoot" was heard, such is the reputation he has brought from down the East Lancs Road. I was hoping he may have more than this in his locker. As the game progressed, he showed that he did.

Villa having England internationals Bent and Agbonlahor up front seemed to have the firepower to trouble us but early signs were that Heitinga and Duffy could look after them and themselves. Heitinga soon showed Bent who was boss when he tripped him in a Dutch way that was effective, deserved a booking but got away with it. Elite refs? ?Yer avin a laff? ? you could almost see the smirk as the kopite gave the finger wagging message that he knew best.

Our first real chance came when Gibson showed that he has an eye for a decisive pass when he split the defence and found Cahill who attempted to hit a ball that came over his shoulder but his haste to break his goal drought was such that he had completed the movement before the ball had reached him and the chance was gone.

Drenthe was on the left and he was more of a menace to our defence than the Villa players ? giving the ball away, not tracking his runner, and not seeming bothered. Real Madrid signed him??

Baines got a good free-kick into the box, Saha met it but could only guide it toward the keeper who parried out but alas not to a silver shirt and Villa cleared. Warnock almost scored in his own goal but for a quick and instinctive intervention by Given.

Donovan got in down the right and put in a dangerous cross that Saha seemed to be running onto but he lost out in the physical battle with Hutton and the chance went. "Be stronger and fight harder," I thought to myself... We were getting the chances but ? in keeping with the season so far ? looked to have little faith in converting.

The Villa crowd went all Goodison-like, bemoaning their team's home form, and started to get on the backs of their players as the Blues continued on top but that clinical trait was missing, yet again, anywhere near the box. Drenthe took corners but was Arteta reborn as he hit the first man with regularity. Wouldn?t you think they could vary it after the first attempt fails???

The game then entered a familiar phase. Everton, being unable to convert when on top, drifted off the pace, allowing Villa to press more, with Howard having to earn his corn with a couple of smart stops.

Half-time and the faithful seemed in boisterous spirits despite our reasonable support play going unrewarded. It was also noted that Fellaini could have been sent off in that first half when he was booked for a foul that he did not agree with and slammed the ball into the turf and away right under the nose of the ref, who chose to ignore it. I just wonder did that have anything to do with the last time he reffed us? Fellaini was one lucky man...

Second half and both teams seemed to want to press and play, yet with neither wanting to give anything away, which led to a staccato-type game that was in truth a touch boring. The odd chance at both ends first when Drenthe was tumbled and the resultant free-kick saw Fellaini power in at the far post and get a header on target with power but would you believe it hit Given and rebounded away. Villa had a corner that produced a scramble that first saw Howard flap and fail to gain distance but the follow up effort was straight at him.

We reached the hour-mark and we looked slightly on top, certainly the more composed, when Villa?s best player Albrighton put in a cross. Duffy made a rare mistake as he failed to clear properly and presented the ball to Ireland who poked the ball across goal and Bent sort of looped it into the net somehow avoiding about six Everton bodies. From my position, time seemed to stand still as the ball went in just looping in slow motion beyond a statuesque Howard. A goal behind, away from home, and, with our scoring record, optimism was not high... but a quick glance at the proey showed the Villa to be no better than us in any department so I thought: "Who knows?"

The manager then made a very sensible move in hooking Drenthe, who in my opinion was dreadful and more use to Villa than us, replacing him with Big Vic. Donovan went left and Vic right. Boy, did the manager get that one right for, on the 70th minute, the move of the match took place when Donovan raided at pace in from the left and delivered a sumptuous pass of all the right proportions to find Big Vic who had made a very good intelligent run into the box keeping himself onside. The master of one-on-ones, Given, was left with no chance such was the quality of Vic?s finish. The roars and the songs came forth. Vic was beside himself and hey, why not? ? we had actually scored a goal ? and a damned good one at that.

We then had a scare when Vic, in trying to prevent the ball going for no more than a throw-in went down apparently in agony with no-one near him. "Here we go again," we all thought but, after a little attention to the knee and a lot of attention to the verbals, he seemed satisfied he was not in danger of another few months out and rejoined the fray.

Both managers didn?t know whether to stick or twist yet both made positive substitutions, with Villa bringing on loanee Keane and Moyes responding by bringing on Bilyaletdinov and Stracqualursi for the knackered Saha and Gibson. Unfortunately, such is their prowess, little changed and the game ended on a note that sort of summed up a poor spectacle when Cahill strode forward in one of those situations where you dream he fires in, leaves the keeper rooted to the spot, and bulges the top corner of the net; in this case, he hit high and very wide! Still... next time, maybe.

MotM ? Difficult for me today as I thought Donovan was our best and most gifted player, but I will give it to Duffy who, after all, came in because we have no-one else, and the manager?s reassuring words that he urgently needs another centre-back ringing in his ears could not have filled him with confidence, yet he played a simple honest game that I only saw one lapse in and he responded to Heitinga who constantly looked after him and talked him through. It could not have been easy for the lad but from my seat he was competent and very few hoofs.

Overall, the sort of game you would expect from two teams who are mirroring each other in terms of form and goal-scoring ability. To get one point was a little disappointing but, when you realise we have only won there once in yonks, then a point is better than nothing.

Our new man Gibson seemed quite well received by the faithful and he showed he can keep things ticking over, pick a pass, and be aware of what is around him. He came to us because he wanted regular games. Considering the players we have to come back makes me wonder what the club may have in mind...

Once again, I am feeling that it is a great shame that Landon has to go back so soon. We can?t replace him and it is in some ways cruel on fans to just let us have a glimpse of what might be if we were in better shape off the field.

Still he is still with us for the visit of the resurgent Blackburn. Goals and a win at home would be just right to lead us into the Fulham cup tie where we have the chance to get that bit nearer to Wembley. Well you never know.
See you there
UP THE BLUES

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