For those that didn't get to see the match, know this; Birmingham City were poor and deserve to be exactly where they are in the table, the relegation zone.

Also, we might have scored five today but we actually looked like we had another gear if we needed it, but it never was and I was a little more surprised.

I expected a win but I didn't expect them to not really show up. They had no spirit and are playing like a team that know they're going down, which if we're all honest, is where they belong. It's nice playing them but they're not a top team.

To the match, the first twenty minutes was pretty uneventful but Petrov had a few shots, one of them, in the 27th minute took a fine save to stop it.

A minute later though Mellberg tries a shot from the edge of the box which he completely fluffs but it fortunately falls for Ashley Young who shoots and makes it 1-0.

John Carew scores just before half time from a Young free kick and it's half time. Rumour has it a few Birmingham supporters decide not to come back for the second half and are seen leaving.

Eight minutes into the second half Carew gets a second, a tap in from a Barry cross. Ten minutes later, a lovely goal from Young after he beats two men running into the box, has his first shot saved but follows up to score and make it four nil.

We get video evidence now of the Blues fans leaving; it must be quite embarrassing.

Three minutes later Forsell scored a consolation goal for them and of of their players actually ran into the net to get the ball, which made me chuckle. As if they really had any hope at 4-1.

Olof Mellberg: Already a Villa legend?

Anyway, ten minutes later Gabby made it 5-1 but the nicest part of the day for me was with five minutes to go. Mellberg was taken off for Harewood and he got a standing ovation. It was made even better because you could see he was clearly delighted with the result and I think even Roy Aitken came over to congratulate him in the dugout.

Despite the 15 goals in three games we should also recognise we played possibly the three worst teams in the league and while I'm going to get carried away, we really shouldn't. However, if Man City win today and we beat Everton next week, we're fifth because of our better goal difference. Europe next season anyone?

Comments (51)

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goalcentre.com said:

http://www.goalcentre.com/asto...ighlights/ Enjoy the highlights!

April 20, 2008 | url

Falsify said:

What can you say!! Mellbergs face said it all. Im one happy Villa fan and loving the fact my blue nose mates have gone AWOL and refuse to answer their phones. haha I got a feeling Samaritans phones will be ringing off the hook tonight!!

April 20, 2008 | url

jaf said:

Good result, Barry was fantastic... Young had a great game against woeful defending. Thought petrov was good also, he is regaining his confindence..! Nice to see Capello there watching our great captain...

April 20, 2008

Jonesy2k8 said:

Diden't get to see the game today but listened on the radio and Villa were fantastic by the sounds of it. I agree that we have played proberly the 3 worst teams in the prem, but in these games teams, espeacially Villa can get dragged down to the oppostion's level. We saw earlier in the season against Derby at home we were a bit poor and even though we won 2-0 we should have out more past them. Villa have done what we should be doing to the lower teams in the last 3 games get the goal differece up and play some cracking football. The race for Europe is on now and this promises to be a dramatic end to the season and with the form were on at the moment Villa should win this race. I know that it's at Goodison next week but i think we'll nick it 2-1. Europe here we come, come on VILLLAAA BOYYZZ!

April 20, 2008

villafandan said:

i'm buzzing.... 2 hours until the portsmouth man city game.... so i'm gonna watch the game again!!! i'm predicting 5-1!!!! my favourite part was ollie going off to a standing ovation, bless his little viking face - he loved today!!!!

April 20, 2008

nan was a fan said:

All going smoothly. Again we can look on the season as a whole and say highly successful with just a few blips. What more proof does Barry need?

April 20, 2008

Simon Mansfield said:

We were bloody marvelous, no really!! We out did them for pace by a country mile! Lovely to see MoN jumping higher and higher as each goal went in too! He loves it! 15 goals in 3 games, can't really argue with that!

April 20, 2008

alextaylor24 said:

definatly is europe a distinct possibility. we have momentum. wished i was there today but writing am at uni trying to finish off 3 essays for tuesday, though i listened to it! i do disagree about the blues. i think they just about deserve to stay up and i want them to stay up. birmingham should have more than 2 teams up in the prem ( presuming the baggies come up), we are the second city after all. from what i heard, the atmosphere was electric and you don't get an atmosphere like that against fellow battlers bolton, fulham or reading. i hope stoke come up with them (although the football they play is terrible) and wolves sneak in the playoffs and come up. what a great season that would be. so much more interesting and better prospects for randy if they are going to expand the stadium. up the villa!!!

April 20, 2008

Jonesy2k8 said:

Another comment about the match. I no the top four is attractive for Barry but looking at the football in the last 3 games and over all the season really we have played some top notch football. Now hopefully Barry will look at the team and our performances and think to himself with a few more quality players in the ranks we can really push on and go some where. So hopefully Barry will stay and next season, look forward to next season and playing European football. Everyone on here wanna ask the question: Will Barry have a think and stay?? What players do we need next season to push on and challenege??

April 20, 2008

goalcentre.com said:

Gerrard is craving for Barry to partner him in the middle of the park at Liverpool. I am afraid those kind of chance only comes once in a lifetime unless O'neill can convince Barry that Villa will be a top 4 team next season!

April 20, 2008 | url

Villain of the North said:

It depends which villa turn up for the rest of the season, but looking at Everton's hard fixtures, i think Portsmouth would only have themselves to blame if they didn't take that 5th spot. I'm staying postive and hope our lucky stars see us there instead. Excellent win today.

April 20, 2008

Oscars Arse said:

Better than sex, beer and curry. Cannot believe they would lie down like that roll on next Sunday. Bet the porn brothers are feeling pretty sick hehehehehe

April 20, 2008

taglor said:

Absolutely fantastic, really enjoyed the match albeit listening on the radio. Villa were brilliant and I have to admit Petrov was great and has been for 3 games, really don't want Barry to go either, Reo-Coker still doesn't impress or Zat Knight, but the rest were fantastic. 1 Complaint though, I will never forgive Sjy or Setanta for not showing that, I can understand the north east derby but portsmouth man city?

April 20, 2008

steve-avfc said:

fantastic today ,took my 11 yr old 2day 2 his 1st 2nd city derby and he loved it.All the team were superb.Thought Reo-coker was quality.

April 20, 2008

alextaylor24 said:

it doesnt matter where pompey finish. its where everton finish as pompey are already in the uefa cup

April 20, 2008

brett said:

i watched the game online so i was well happy! great to see mellbergs face when he went off, well done MoN, and how p**s poor was ridgewell? good sale ash has to be in the next england squad or somethings gone very wrong

April 20, 2008

brett said:

12 mins played city 2-0 up come on 5th place! UTV

April 20, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

16 min gone and Pompey 2-0 down! Looks like a good day for the Villa boys

April 20, 2008

AGVIlla said:

Man City have just gone 2 up, next weeks game will be a play off for fifth place. Hope we win i think over the whole season we will deserve Europe with the football we have played. I read most of the comments on here each day and i must say some people were so negative about Europe when we had that dip in form i'm so glad the boys have proved the doubters wrong. We need one final push in the next couple of weeks and it will be the perfect end to a grat season. On the subject of Barry, why would we sell one of our best players, that is not how we move forward. MON needs to bendover and give Barry everything he wants to stay. Lets beat Everton and show that we are the best team outside the top four. Come on the Villa!!!!!!!

April 20, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

• Birmingham boss Alex McLeish: "We were on the end of a bruising from a really good Villa side. "Villa's front men were on fire and we were unable to string any passes together until the second half. "You have to say that Villa's agenda is totally different to our's - the bottom line is that they are a better team." Read and weep noses, Premier League is over for you and I for one am delighted to be rid of your pork pie team.

April 20, 2008

I HATE BLUES said:

I just couldnt beleive how poor blues were from the players to their support,i expected the tackles to go flying in and atlest some vocal support from the brain deads but there was nothing.5-1 going to have to come up with a good excuse for me not going to work 2 moz,let me know if you have any."THE s**t ARE GOING DOWN" if only the Zarate kid kicked the ball like he kicked the advertising boards they would have had more luck

April 20, 2008

kohoutek said:

Well done the lads. Just seen the highlights. "What is it about Villa and set pieces?" "It's the quality of the ball in. That was second to none." Exactly. It's about quality. That's not a deficiency. And we're scoring plenty from open play now, as well. Young is going from strength to strength, and brilliant to see five goals from our three goalscorers. Yes, Birmingham aren't very good, but that's what we should be doing, throttling the bottom clubs, playing our game and not theirs. Full marks to MON. He's known the team, and what they can do, and they've shown it in a critical stretch. Not the finished article, by any means, but I think anyone walking out of Villa Park after seeing Blues humiliated 5-1 and Villa sitting 6th and scoring 15 in three games down the stretch ought to be able to pronounce year 2 a success. When's the last time, against any competition, Villa turned in 4-0, 6-0, 5-1? And this goes to Laursen's comments (bless you lad) about staying at Villa, and why it's a good place to play. We've seen lots of promising young talent at other clubs that don't get the games they need to develop and then shine. Young and Gabby have gotten that with MON. Perhaps Barry won't care, since he's already played so much, to be part of a rotating cast at a big4 club, as long as he's there for some silverware. But if you want to play, and play a starring role, then Villa is clearly the right place. And perhaps MON has been properly cagey in the transfer market, leaving plenty of wages available to hang on to these players, and now bring in the reinforcements.

April 20, 2008

gaz said:

LOVELY, WE ABSOLUTLY HAMMERED THE BLUES, WELL DONE TO ALL THE PLAYERS, FANS AND MANAGER. GOT SOME ABUSE FOR THE BLUE NOSES AT WRK 2MZ!! WE NEED PORSTMOUTH TO LOSE AND THEN WE NEED TO WIN AT EVERTON AND THEN 5TH SPOT IS IN OUR HANDS.. C'MON VILLAAAAAAAA....

April 20, 2008

warwickvilla said:

that was sooooooooo funny i cant stop saying the score

April 20, 2008

Villain from Texas said:

Against Fulham and Sunderland, we obvioulsy got 0 points, scoring just 1 goal over the 2 games. No matter our opponents these past 3 games, then, we shouldn't take for granted getting 9 points and scoring 15 goals. We control our fate. Win out and we'll finish 5th. C'mon Villa!

April 20, 2008

Leroy said:

Taglor - Agree 100%, its an insult not to show the derby. Reo was quite good today however, everyone did their job and i would say that Bouma and Mellberg were the only ones who were quiet, but lets face it they didnt have to do much out there today! City were never a threat. Also have to re emphasis what Damian had to say, that this match was not our biggest match of our run in (although it may be our favourite). Just another note, it was said on the broadcast, but ill say it also, i thought Clattenburg reffed a really good match, not allowing City to play the usual fouling scrap fest and setting the precident early, even with a highlight of his own, when he pushed Nafti in the chest when he was talking s**t to one of our boys, golden!

April 20, 2008

ste23 said:

that has to be the poorest support ive seen this season

April 20, 2008 | url

oldman villain said:

a great win but some people have short memories i.e damion ok we have scored 15 goals against so called bad teams but we also scored 4 against chelsea,spurs,etc come on you villa boys lets beat them toffees its a 6 pointer and europe will be here nxt season.bring it on

April 20, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

Im quite gutted actually because we cant do the same to them again next season Breaks my heart not as much as it would have broke theres today tho haha Anyways back to the championship and those horried ground and those cold wet wednesday nights then again we could be set for some cold wednesday night (Ueffa Cup) But at least we will be on a decent picth in a decent ground Birmingham fans there is some hope you do get play a derby next season against derby themselfs Enjoy and have fun...

April 20, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

Ahhh just wanted to add something Darius Vassell Thank You Very Very Much Just What The Doctor Orderd

April 20, 2008

Mick70 said:

...and now bring on the blue scousers...

April 20, 2008

Mick70 said:

oldman villain: to be fair to Damian the goals we scored against Chelsea, Spurs etc. were complemented by poor defensive performances. We may have looked like Real Madrid over the last 3 games but I'm far from falling for yet another false dawn..either we spend on at least 6/7 top players this summer or we are not going to progress beyond what we have achieved this season. Up the Villa.

April 20, 2008

NH08 said:

What a brilliant result. If we can go to Everton and win then 5th spot will be ours. I went to see City play Pompeii today with my mate who's a City fan. They managed to beat a poor Portsmouth side with a midfielder at rightback, a leftback at centreback and a kid at leftback. A real makeshift defence that made Defoe and Baros look ordinary. If Portsmouth are going to play like that then we should only be thinking of Everton.

April 20, 2008

K4AVFC said:

Great result today ... But .. apparently a villa fan was killed after the game, run over by a car. Thoughts and prayers with all family and friends of the man.

April 20, 2008

camz said:

sum football fan has died after the villa blues game look on the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/eng...357625.stm

April 20, 2008

tom_villa said:

W00000000000 WE WON AND POMPEY LOST!!!!!

April 20, 2008

BLUENOSE said:

My worst fears confirmed as all week I was looking at a 4-0 defeat. Very good from your boys, but saying that we would have lost to anyone today. Sad to hear of death of fan which puts things into perspective. Just hoping it was just an accident. Keep right on

April 20, 2008 | url

AV33 said:

Hi everyone...long time no speak. I've been a little busy to comment of late but watched the match at a mate's house today on the internet and had such a great time, i thought i'd post my thoughts. What a fantastic peformance from the Villa this afternoon, i think every man on the pitch, the management and the fabulous Villa faithful are worthy of much praise for their attitude and togetherness. Ashley was fantastic and i'll be amazed if the watching Capello leaves him out of his next England team, along with Gareth Barry who was quite magnificent today. Carew...superb, Petrov looks like a player re-born and NRC, Olly, Laursen and Freddie were solid. On the down side (if there can possibly be one !!)Zat tried his best but I really don't think he is good enough for Villa's ambitions. Villa could really do with a better goalie than Scott Carson, especially at the price and Gabby still looks knackered, shame Marlene didn't get a bit more of a look in. But let's not knock a great day. We were superb. Mark Clattenburg refereed the game fairly and sensibly and Pompey got beat by Man Citeh ! From what i've seen of Everton in recent weeks, they are there for the taking next week. Fifth place here we come. UP THE VILLA On several occasions when Villa were playing neat first touch triangles (which worked tremendously imo..al la Chelsea)

April 20, 2008

Nicky said:

Hell you have beaten a couple of dud teams in the last few weeks and you're off again. 2 months ago your season fell apart because you're just not good enough. You've had a lucky season. Decisions have gone your way in almost every match and you haven't had an injury to speak of so far. Lucky lucky lucky....

April 20, 2008

davesayers said:

Without trying to speculate too much, every bit of information we've heard so far is making the incident look more and more like a murder. According to people who were at the scene, a Birmingham City supporter drove towards a crowd of Villa fans, one of whom, a 26 year old man, was hit and killed. A 20 year old man has been arrested with suspicion of murder. Police are appealing for witnesses, so if you saw what happened, please get in touch with West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000. absolutely shocking

April 20, 2008

andyarkitekt said:

Am I right or wrong here! City did not really do us any favours by beating Portsmouth? Lets assume Portmouth win FA CUP and they finish 5th also, with Everton 6th and Villa 7th. I assume we still have chance of UEFA via INTERTOTO? Now that City got three points today and lets assume it goes really pear shaped and City pip us to the post and Portsmouth win FA CAP. That could mean UEFA for Portmouth FA CUP, but finish 5th), UEFA for Everton (finish 6th, but place handed o next one below Postmouth cos they won FA CUP) and then City get INTERTOTO shot and we are left with bugger all. Sorry to p**s on our parade today...but am I right with this, is it a possibility and we may just regret City winning today. My brain hurts!! UTV - another three games like the last three will do.

April 20, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

I loved the look on Mellberg's face as he went off, he hates them as much as we all do, he might be off for a pay day but he is VIlla through and through . The lads were absolutely superb today, Ashley Young was magnificent as was the captain. Bring on the scousers, 5th place is defiitely possible

April 21, 2008

oldman villain said:

mick70 yes i know you are right but i was having a small dig at damian ,i am still a little p**sed of for him saying the season was over after we got hammered in fa cup ,but most of us know it wasnt, still all to play for and if all goes to plan it will be europe here we come come on you villa you can do it

April 21, 2008

leawaylittleman said:

villa 5 blues 1, comparable to germany 1 england 5....if not better. Toffees up next.....COME ON VILLA!!!!

April 21, 2008

Myself said:

Anyone else annoyed by the fact that MOTD2 missed off Olly's substitution? Does anyone know where I can find a reasonably high quality clip of this. Gareth Barry's eyes after he set up John Carew? - He loves the club! Absolutely great result. Bring on Work...

April 21, 2008

smylhr said:

wheres the video gone?? utv

April 21, 2008

parisian rob said:

flying into liverpool for this one for weekend session and for the wigan game too which boozer to meet in liverpool i heard of one called arkles? any info

April 21, 2008

JimboVillain said:

Hi everyone, felt like basking in the glory on this wonderful Spring day so did some internet scouting, decided to check out if there was any similar small heath sites to this one, and lo and behold i found one. Its the one and only time i will ever go on it (except maybe if they're relegated again) but i think you will agree that it just feels so much better reading flattering praise of our players from the scum. Enjoy......... http://www.birminghamcity-mad.co.uk/news/loadrprt.asp?cid=MTCH&id=388829

April 21, 2008

dazz said:

Put back in their place!!!! sounds like us villa fans are letting them off lightly with the rout!! if they did it to us they wun't feel at all sorry for us... sack em!! THE s**t R GOIN DOWN!!!!!! Roll on the toffees!! an hopefully now all the gloomy gloomers on here are eatin their own words!! I've always backed villa on here an noone can deny that!!!!

April 22, 2008

villa4evaza said:

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 23, 2008

villa4evaza said:

Well Nicky,sometimes all one needs is a bit of luck.I don't think u would be complaining if your team had the same "good" fortune, cos u definately don't sound like a villa fan-not with all your sour grapes!

April 23, 2008

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