Pat Blair

I made the mistake of calling former Villa, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Andy Blair "Pat" at Reading yesterday.
I had just spotted Pat Heard, a team-mate of Blair's at Villa and who also went to Wednesday. I like Pat a lot. He's a damn good match summariser too. He was probably still on my mind as Blair walked past. I said: "Alright Pat?"
Funnily enough, Tim Nash- who works for the Express and Star- was standing next to me and doubled the error. "Hello Pat", Nash said to Blair who looked more than a little puzzled as he made his way to his seat.
"You mean Andy don't you?", he said.
I was too embarassed to reply.
Best memory of the Madjeski Stadium, apart from Villa radio reporter Jack Woodward revealing that he has a 16-year-old stalker, was James Harper's push on Martin O'Neill.
It was a late finish last night and I've spent most of this afternoon on the telephone. Firstly to Tom Ross, the Midlands Voice of Sport. It just happens to be my turn to record an interview for his sports programme. Ross decides it is best to do something tomorrow instead.
Next on the agenda, a 25 minute call to Martin O'Neill at Bodymoor Heath. He's not basking in the glory of top six football at all. No, he's off to the reserves tonight before catching the second half of Manchester City v Everton on the telly.
Then I take a call from Holland where a sports reporter is writing an article about Wilfred Bouma.
I tell him that much of Bouma's newly found confidence can be traced back to the early days when Mark Delaney and Gavin McCann befriended him at a time when he was strugglingto fit in after his move from PSV.
All three of them became big darts fans and would even go and see the big events together. Delaney and McCann cheering on Phil Taylor and Bouma, Raymond van Barneveld.
Bouma has enjoyed a successful season at Villa, and yet it was his predecessor, Jlloyd Samuel, and not the Dutchman, who was playing in the UEFA Cup last week.
I have a feeling all that is going to change next season though. Villa were too good for an awful Reading side. And I bet they even believe they can get something from Arsenal on Saturday.
One piece of news has reached me these last few days- expect a steep increase in ticket prices at Villa Park next season.