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From My Seat: Aston Villa (H)

A thriller for the neutral, a killer for the dedicated.

Villa at home and, after the season they are having, then three points were nailed-on – thought many... but those who have followed the Blues for numerous years will have nothing but very tight games in mind and this proved to be no different. It’s not unusual for our encounters to be decided by last-minute goals – remember Merson braking our hearts on a bonfire night? Well, today was not much different except it was us who salvaged something at the death.

It all started so well as we all met in our north Liverpool ale house and chewed over the ‘Deadline Day' disaster; I was reliably informed that the Fer debacle had nothing to do with dodgy knees or lack of readies by the club but rather the traces of what is best described as banned substances in the blood/urine. Yeah, I thought... but I know the guy and he was adamant and does seem to have good info. I have to say, whatever it was, I have no knowledge of but he ‘aint here now.

The team was tweeted through and many of us who had attended Wednesday night were less than convinced re the back four. They got away with it v WBA – could they do it again? Well, as it turned out, a big NO. Our alehouse was packed today which is usually a sign of a big crowd and indeed over 38.000 turned up. The streets were thronging as we walked up and on Goodison Road at the junction with the Park End there was the sound of Fanzine sellers.

WASAG was on sale and a quick perusal on buying a copy told me it was it's old irreverent and wacky self. I love these written word things; even though they lack the immediacy of the net, they take on a charm of their own and, just like my report, you are all ahead of the game by the time you read them but maybe some (like me) will enjoy them. If you have not been to Goodison and tried one, a quick look at the back page tells it's available on line at www.blue-tone.co.uk. Before you ask, I have no connection with them whatsoever and was always a ‘Speak From The Harbour’ man... but that is no more – so WASAG it is. I gave it a try and chuckled in parts. It's two quid though.

Into the ground just in time for Z-Cars and Jags led out the gladiators wearing their shirts with Chang replaced by the ‘Everton in the community’ logo for a one-off. Well done Chang for agreeing to it.

The game started and after just two minutes – even if we chose not to contemplate it before – we were on the back foot as Benteke strolled past a static Heitinga and placed a precision side-foot shot across and passed Howard and we were one down. It was almost embarrassing to witness, this was against what some called a no hope Villa side yet we should not forget they like L4 as they had a rare win just up the road. Were we over confident or sloppy because, as N’Zogbia went down the right to feed Benteke, Baines was nowhere to be seen.

Villa had come in relegation battle mode and were in no mood to take prisoners and a physical battle started to take place. We did respond with Mirallas feeding Fellaini who rolled the ball just past the post. We were the side on top as corners and free kicks came our way but none were a threat to the opposition even Bainesy was firing free kicks hopelessly high and wide but at least we were waking up.

Twenty mins gone and Mirallas got on the end of a good joined-up move and scampered infield, fed Big Vic who at last used his attribute of muscular strength and turned his man and fired past the keeper for a goal that was well received and Victor racked up some brownie points. We were level and most thought ‘Bad start but here we come’ – If only. Less than three mins later, we were behind again when, after a corner, our defence seemed to switch off when a cross from the right came back in; unfettered, Agbonlahor rose and headed home. To say we were fragile was an understatement and Benteke was giving Heitinga a roasting, Jags all over the place, Distin over-anxious and Baines getting forward well but leaving his flank open due to no-one covering his absence.

We tried to respond with Mirallas the heart of most things but sadly his final ball was often found wanting. We pushed on hard and gave Villa loads of trouble except none of it led to a decent chance and we were attacking as the half-time whistle went.

At half-time, I wondered if our manager would show the ruthless streak that was required as the back four were a shambles and Heitinga being the worst of a poor bunch but no, we started the second half as you were; as it had not worked first half, I wondered how it could second half. It didn’t; although we came out with some resolve, we were not unduly troubling them and in fact I seemed to sense a spring in the Villa's step.

On the hour mark, my worst fears were realised when, after some pressure from us, they broke again down the right but, with our defence standing off once again, a cross was allowed in and that man Benteke got ahead of Heitinga and a header, as he fell, went across Howard who was rooted to the line, the ball found the net on the hour mark. 1 - 3 down at home to a bottom-3 team... the phrase "Champions League – yer 'avin a laff" came to mind. The bench looked just like no action in the transfer window had taken place but there were players there and it was hard to see them doing much worse than some that were on.

Just a few minutes after that goal, the manager at last acted and Jelavic replaced the woeful Heitinga and Oviedo came on for the rapidly tiring Mirallas. Oviedo – all left foot – went right back and did well, Jags to centre back and Distin looked calmer, and Jelavic was... well, let’s say fluid between front and midfield.

The changes on the face of it didn’t look spectacular but we immediately upped it and Villa were under probably more pressure than any other time in the match. Agbonlahor, whose pace had worried us throughout, was now getting starved of the ball as we tried to reclaim some semblance of self-respect and I have to say we at last started to look dangerous.

On 70 mins we were very dangerous when Pienaar found himself in Mirallas territory and the South African showed far more composure than the busy Mirallas had and won a free kick which he took and forced the keeper into a punch out which was picked up by Big Vic who again showed strength in shielding the ball, turning his man, and feeding Fellaini who tucked it with some aplomb into the bottom corner that at last produced the ‘Goodison Roar’ in full throttle, setting up a grandstand finish. Oviedo fired just wide, Gibbo found the head of Distin from a free kick but the keeper held on, a Jelavic effort at a side-footer went conveniently to the keeper due to lack of power.

Villa were rattled as we pushed on and they went into Swansea tactics of blatant time-wasting – good job they hadn’t brought their own ball boys. The clock ticked down as we had a couple of corners that Baines sprinted from one side of the pitch to the other to take; we came close but not close enough as 90 mins were reached and the 4th official indicated 6 mins of extra time (I told you they were time-wasting), his next task was to signal our last throw of the dice – Naismith for Gibson. We continued to press and the excellent Osman had been doing well all match in a creative role now put more meat on the bones and drove us on from mid-field. We had the Villa on the ropes, crowd in full voice.

Half of the extra time had gone when we won a corner on our left that Baines took and it was put behind for another corner which saw Baines sprint again to the opposite flank and deliver another. It winged in, Fellaini moved forward, jumped and head met ball and ball met net, oh joy! Yet the celebrations were a little muted despite what had been a great fight back from 1 - 3 down at home. We went all out for the winner with Osman prompting and Naismith and Oviedo busy but time beat us and we trudged off having gained a point from the jaws of defeat but at the same time I am sure both players and fans just saw two points dropped.

MotM – Fellaini or Osman

I wonder if today’s performance was a touch of the Deadline Day Blues or is that to simplistic? After all, they are professionals but I don’t think you would need to tell one or two that they had poor games – they will know themselves.

Next home match is not until March 2nd... in-between we have Man Utd, Oldham and Norwich. A lot can happen in that time... I wonder will it be to our advantage. We now have to put the transfer window behind us and hope players stay fit and live up to the tag of our first pick team can beat anyone – We will see.

Today: a thriller for the neutral, a killer for the dedicated.
UP THE BLUES

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