Live text and full time: Aston Villa 4 v Manchester City 2
Sunday, 17 August 08, 01:45 PM
Right, this is the first time we're going to try doing this here and it's basically going to try and be a bit like what you get on the BBC football pages, with a biased slant towards Villa and the usual AVFC Blog banter.
So, from kick off we'll start and you also get to comment below, gut we'll be updating this page with all the major incidents and goal flashes from the game.
For the record, the blog also has a tenner on the three matches today and we've gone for all home wins. If we win, it's just over £20, so we're hoping for Manchester United and Chelsea to win, only for financial reasons of course.
Just in case anyone was interested, Joe Cole has started and just scored for Chelsea. I'd love him at Villa Park, but I just can't see it happening.
Anyway, if you're interested, we'll be back here from 3pm, on this page. Up the Villa!
Live text begins below from just before kick off, with team news.
Here goes; first time doing this. I think I've got everything I need. Beer and crisps are on the way, but for now, team news:
For Villa it's picked itself really; Friedel, Young, Shorey, Laursen, Davies, Reo-Coker, Barry, Petrov, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs: Taylor, Gardner, Knight, Salifou, Harewood, Routledge, Osbourne.
For Manchester City; City: Hart, Richards, Corluka, Johnson, Bojinov, Blumer, Garrido, Petrov, Fernandes, Haim, Etuhu. Scheichel, Ball, Onuoha, Ireland, Hamann, Evans, Sturridge.
Seven subs on the bench this season and Villa have a fairly decent one. Beer is here.
The players have shaken hands. We're about to get under way. Here goes ...
Blackburn kick off: If any of you have anything interested to say, you can email in today using blog@villabanter.com. Mark Hughes is smiling. That won't last for long. Beer is here!
41 seconds: Corner to Villa. Wonderful surface and full house. Come on ..
3.03pm: Manchester City have an orange shirt. It's making me feel sick. They now have a corner.
3.03pm: Gabby made a good run down the right. Gets into the box and falls over from a soft challenge.
3.05pm: First long ball of the game, not bad going. Martin O'Neill just got the ball smacked into his face. He smiled because he's made of steel. Another Villa corner!
3.06pm: Carew just glances wide from corner. I nearly spilt my beer.
3.07pm: Some nice footwork from Petrov. He got pulled back and we've got a free kick that Barry is going to take. It was like ping pong in the box. It's out and Manchester City can breath easy again. Not for long though - I see a few goals today.
3.09pm: Third corner. Carew meets it. Straight to the keeper. I can smell a goal coming very soon and I've just got another beer. Great day this.
3.10pm: Second corner to Man City. Cleared by Carew. The man is everywhere.
3.11pm: Some nice footwork from Gabby down the left - crossed to Carew who had a crack from just outside the box. Side footed and my four year old son could have save it. Still, nice from Gabby.
3.12pm: Carew looks like he has picked up a knock. Although saying that, he's just lept as high as the North Stand to head a ball down to Barry. Doesn't seem to be a concern.
I don't want to get too carried away after 12 minutes, but we look good. We look composed and as if we know what we are doing. Petrov also looks like he has a plan today. Although he's just given the ball away. More beer please.
3.18pm: Big Curtis at the back looks solid. Him and Laursen are going to do well this season. Young has a free kick a long way out. Nothing from it.
3.20pm: Some nice football from City, resulting in nothing but some good play. I gotta go get a bottle opener.
I'm warned off the beer by fitzy. For the record, I've taken the day off tomorrow. Today is my Saturday.
Over 3,000 visits to this page in 20 minutes. This live text thing might actually be a good idea. I just hope the server stands up to all the traffic.
3.25pm: Petrov is full of confidence and believe it or not, mine is growing too and while Reo-Coker is no right winger, he's just crossed a great ball that Barry volleys, just over the bar.
I went to get the bottle opener and my son has just showed me a pack of Top Trumps. I know what I'm doing after the football.
3.29pm: Barry was given loads of space down the left and his cross went straight to the keeper. Nobody to blame the ball from Petrov maybe wasn't forward enough. Big Brad in goal has just had to make his first save. Solid as expected as he saw it coming from 25 yards
3.32pm: Ouch. Barry got battered. Yellow card to the Manchester City player, Ben something. Looking at the replay, it wasn't that bad, but it looked a bit harsh. All the players are drinking water. That reminds me. Cheers.
3.34pm: The free kick was from too far out. Barry is back on.
Leroy is nursing a hangover and trying to tell us something about his bedroom antics with the wife. I'm not sure I want to know. I'm working on my hangover now.
3.37pm: Maybe it's the drink, but if I had to vote for a man of the match right now, I'd give it to Petrov. He's looked very composed and confident. Just like the player we saw on his debut.
3.39pm: Manchester City are getting more and more into the game. With half time soon upon us, I've got a feeling Martin O'Neill will be quite happy. We're still playing well, but the impetus seems to be with them.
Quite a poor last 15 minutes or so. I'm thinking about dinner. The wife has something in the oven and if she dare comes to me any time during this match telling me it's ready, they'll be trouble. It does smell nice though.
3.44pm: Some lovely football from Barry and Petrov. Ball gets knocked out to Young who puts in a very clever ball for, I think, Reo-Coker, and he just missed it. Now a corner for Manchester City.
3.45pm: More good football from Manchester City and they get their 4th corner. It was easily cleared and it's now half time. No goals, but we could have had one or two.
I'm off to do something, won't get specific, but don't forget you can email in if you want at this address: blog@villabanter.com. Probably easier if you want to get something to me rather than the comments below.
Thanks to villafandan, who I must say has some good Aston Villa wallpapers here, we've got some stats:
Aston Villa shots on target/off target: 5 / 4
Manchester City shots on target/off target 0 / 3
Second half about to start. My prediction: Barry is going to score and he's going to kiss the badge. He's been getting forward and it's only a matter of time.
4.04pm: We've kicked off and we're attacking the Holte End. Come on!!
4.05pm: One nil to Villa. Barry passes wide to Young, he crosses to Carew who scores with his head from about four yards out. He's bigger than me and you!
My next prediction; Routledge replaces Reo-Coker sometime this half.
4.10pm: Manchester City have a free kick, they take it quickly out wide, to I think Petrov and he shoots from 30 yards out, into the side netting. It looked good anyway.
4.14pm: Reo-Coker wants to come into the middle at every opportunity. He's no right sided midfielder. We need to do something on this right hand side.
4.16pm: The football is getting good; Manchester City attack, we get the ball back, we attack. It's end to end at the moment. We have a corner.
I'm not going to get a beer, but the wife can't hear my shouting. I'll sort that out later.
4.20pm: "Birmingham are you listening, to the song that we're singing ... " Love it .. We have another corner! The fifth one I think, but nothing from it, Manchester City break. Shit. Penalty for Manchester City now...
4.21pm: 1-1. Manchester City score. Brad goes the wrong way. I'm not actually convinced it was a penalty. Still; I think we'll win it still.
The wife is bringing me dinner; good girl. Also just seen a replay. It wasn't a penalty. The Manchester City player mis-kicked and fell over.
4.25pm: This is end to end stuff. Barry shot from 30 odd yards and it hit a Manchester City player. If that penalty just given was a penalty, we had a claim for handball. Nothing.
4.25pm: Gabby scores! Corner from Young, deep. Headed back from big Curtis to Gabby, who puts it in the net from 3 yards. They had the lead for four minutes.
Twenty minutes to go and I need to go to the toilet. I blame the beer. I can't leave though, I'm staying!
4.32pm: Cross from Barry to Gabby. He scores. 3-1. Loving this match. Surely this is game over? Great cross and great header.
My next prediction: Gabby to get three!
4.34pm: Gabby gets his hat trick! 4-1!! Great football; Barry plays through to Gabby who is 40 yards out; he runs and shoots from 16 yards out. He scored three, about a minute after my prediction. Good lad.
We're show boating now. This game is over but I think we'll get more.
4.39pm: A few of you are suggesting I use a bottle. I won't say anything on that. We can score more, but I'd quite like 4-1 after our exploits in Europe this week. Big Brad just made a decent save. They've got no chance. He's just made another. They still have no chance!
4.42pm: Seven minutes to go.We're playing the ball back to everyone. I'm not sure they're that bothered about a 5th goal.
4.32pm: Manchester City have a free kick right on the edge of the box. Petrov shoots direct to big Brad. I would have saved that and I could have done better!
4.45pm: Four minutes to go, some great work from Ashley down the right. We have a corner; our seventh. Martin Petrov clears, for a throw, that we give away.
4.47pm: Two minutes of normal time to go. They get a second goal. 4-2 but it could have been a few more for us. I'm not that interested in going into detail about a goal for them. We've still won!!
4.49pm: Three minutes of added time. This will be the longest three minutes of my life.
4.51pm: Almost all over and I might be wrong, but don't we go top? I know it means nothing, but we scored four and Chelsea scored four; but isn't it alphabetical and only on goals scored?
4.25pm: All over. Full house. Three points and I'm off to the toilet. Back in a moment or two.
Comments (81)
I want joe cole also
i think evry one would
i agree with u damian
i dont see it happening :(
mabey next year :'(
i heard that we still want milner is this true?????????
Barry starts! so does luke young today
and shorey
DO we have 7 subs this year??????????????????????????????????//
i really dont understansd why petrov starts again i really dont rate him please get in a proper right winger martin
utv
I thought Pompey would lose today, but I can't believe how Chelsea are blasting them. It might be tough to take 4 points off them like last season.
Is the game on anywhere on the net? Radio? Cheers :)
Fitzy - I think once Sidwell is fit, Petrov will be sitting on the bench. Great to have some live comments on the game, i will be on line for sure
UTV!!!
Hoping 4 and predicting a win today
does anyone know where i can stream the match and watch it live
damian easy on the beers we want good commentery here not drunken garbage lol
cant be doing with the orange kit, not with this hangover, went to a fancy dress party as hannibal lecter, wish i hadn't
beat me to it Fitzy.
I was just about to say be careful because we dont want him getting to drunk to let us know what will happen lol.
christo im litl mystro
fitzy ... i live for today. beer all day it is
and am on the edge of my seat reading this...UTV
is anyone watching it online, if you are can i have the link please
come on the villa
You call yourself 2 names then.
Damien I hope your near a toilet and I hope you dont miss a goal
fair enough damian appreciate u doing this by the way top man
aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh gareth 6 yards
Im nursing a mother of a hangover too. I didnt dress up as Hannibal but more or less acted like him........much to the disgust of the missus.......
very handy for those of us on the wrong side of the planet. refresh refresh refresh
damian where are u watching this or are u listening to it on 5live
Saving my Cider for my sunday roast but might open a bottle if we score
What's going on with maloney, is he injured or somthing cos he's not even on the bench?
ive a feeling he may be on his way
I am(From China) watching it online on StarSport.
you need to install Sopcast,then open this link
LINK
I dont really know the net speed(from UK),but you guys can have try.
No live commentary :(
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee carew carew carews on fire
Carew, Carew, he's bigger than me and you! ;D ;D ;D
Damian, man, you're way ahead of the BBC Five Live commentary. They're only just commentating on Carew's goal and it's just gone 4.08pm.
OH HE'S BIG JOHN CAREWWWWWWWW
1-0 get in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Careeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwww ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
city are coming at us
@Jonny1982:
Nice one.
DAMN! Come on V we can still do it I dont want to draw at home to them
Bogey team.
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee gabbby wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
newcastle are beating man utd 1-0 from a milner corner. i think he would be such a good signing
16.28pm and the Beeb haven't reported the second goal yet. What the hell do I pay my licence for.
Which Young lol
[quote]It wasn't a penalty. The Manchester City player mis-kicked and fell over. [/quote]
Is that a biased view, or what actually happened. Commentators seem to think it was a stone wall penalty!
One for MoTD tonight.
3-1 Villa! I think. ;)
Gabby Agbonlahor, prove them wrong! Show everyone your the guy that scored all those goals early in the season and not the one that struggled to score late in the season!
Fletcher's equalised for Scumchester.
man city never had the lead so how cud they have it for 4 minutes
Gabby´ll ask for another contract again if he keeps this up
Go in one of your empty bottles, Damo!
Do it into a bottle Damian. A lot of Villans out there relying on you.
GABBY AGBONLAHOR GABBY AGBONLAHOR HE SHOOTS AND HE SCORES LA LA LA LA LA LA
"Twent minutes to go and I need to go to the toilet. I blame the beer. I can't leave though, I'm staying!"
Just get yourself a bedpan or some of those adult nappies, and a pack of wet-wipes. Sorted.
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee gabby gabby gabby agbonlahor hes fast as fuck hes fast as ffffffuuuukkkk ye villa villa villa
and another!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watching on Justin.tv everytime we attack we look like scoring. We want 4 @ least, top the League here we go!!!!
GABBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY FUCKING COME ON MY SON FCUKINNGG YEESDESTRDSYTRDYUGDD
oh my god yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
LALALALALALAALALALALA YES SBF YES YES YES GABBY FCKING YESSSSSSHSHSHSHSHS
SUPER GABBYS 6 MINUTE HATRICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I want 5 now!
dont you wish it was like this come the end of the season
theres his hatrick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shame about the pic quality but who cares yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
AM LOVING THIS NEW SEASON Too bad I couldn't make this game
They are replaying this in America at 1 p.m. I can't wait to see it! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Thanks for the justin link awesome!
Echoes of Villa versus Blues from last season. Gabby must be due a goal, he hasn't scored for 4 minutes.
Villa commentary on AVTV is down. Having to listen to the Man City-biased version instead.
They seem to think Man City deserve a draw!
Gabby's 2nd and 3rd goal where just pure class!
oh oh freekick
well done brad.... friedel friedel
Thanks for this Damian it's great I feel part of the crowd (sort of) and can stop telling my wife every villa move. Anything less than 4 goals in future matches and I will not be happy.
Gotta do this every week it brings great luck
awful you idiots
Sorry but chelsea have a beter goal difference
well done boys 3 points get in this is going to be an exciting season do we really need a new striker hmmm dont think so
goal difference comes forst, but i'm happy enough i mean 4 goals, and joint top on points
UTV
No its not just goals scored look at Boltons GD, they have 2 and won 3-1 yesterday so our goal difference will be 2. We will be second.
I like this live text idea its really good, but I dont know if its me or not but is it possible to have the time in minutes of the match rather the actual time. Eg instead of 4:42pm have like 89mins. If this is possible I think it would be better.
Only a minor thing and its just me being pedantic, great idea!
We conceded another late goal which really irrated me... we did it too many times last season. need to concentrate more.
Agbonlahor hatrike in 8 minutes how brillant is that!
But it said near the end Carew was limping and couldnt run. :)
UTV ;D
Sorry I missed this commentary, Damian, but great idea, I'll be here in the future.
Can't wait for the replay here in an hour! Well done the lads, Icelandic part-timers sorted, and now Man City.
another great attacking display cheers damian well done gabby
utv
eight goals in a week. hopefully another high scoring season for us. the back line looks tight.come on the villa
yeah baby!
come on villa and lets bring on the title!
come on why not we are lavel on points at top spot!
UTV ;D
Nice one Damo, not been on the site since early this morning and on my return i see you've done this live commentary stuff.
I think this is a wicked idea but i'm amazed how you manage to take in the game whilst typing all of the posts. I'm a fairly bright person but i don't think that i could watch the game, drink beer, liase with wife (moaning compulsory) and type posts at the same time (possibly mobile on a fiddly little phone most of the time). With me, I think the beer won today and my phone was turned off after five mins of the game ! Fair play to you mate, major sports sites like Sky and BBC seem to have been a lot slower in posting the news on the game from what i've read above, so keep it coming.
#1Villan talked me through a pre-season game on the forum ages ago and i've never forgot. Soon after that you asked for recommendations for moderators and I recommended him. Not sure my vote had any effect on things but my point is, he talked me through a game (and only me) when he didn't have to...just like you've done today. I'm not arse creeping because i have no need to, but i think recognition should be given to Damo for the amount of hard work he puts into the site (his hobby), putting certain local journalists to shame really.
Is Bill back yet by the way ? Haven't seen the Mail for a couple of days but a Nick Davis was writing last time i looked. Has Bill got the sack for being Bill or was he just on holiday ?
Anyway, great win for Villa today. I said 2-1 but 4-2 ain't so bad is it?
High points - Commanding keeper at last, Gabby showing what he can really do, Ash, GB and JC as consistant as ever, Curtis Davies great and Cuellar yet to come. Happy days...
Low Points - full backs not looking the part just yet (but it will come), no right side threat again and Petrov fading in the second half.
Long post...sorry. But a good day for Aston Villa and even nicer to be a fan, proud of what we've done today.
UP THE VILLA ;)
Damian,
I did not see this until last night after partaking in a few celebratory post-match beers.
I have to say it looks excellent and please do it again. Would be particularly good for away matches when less of us are at the games.
Keep up the good work and up the Villa!!!!!!!