Anyone for Pheasant?

FIRST of all my commiserations to the pheasant.

It had no chance when struck by the sleek, blue Jaguar driven by Villa programme editor Rob Bishop on his way back from Goodison Park.

I'm told you could stuff a pillow or two with the feathers.

I'm also told that bird is off the menu in the Bishop household for the time being.

I can only guess that being struck by John Carew must be something similar.

The most cramped and out-dated press box- apart from Blues and Portsmouth, in the Premier League.

I swear I was sitting on two pairs of laps, not just the one.

Elbows are flying everywhere up at Everton, and they don't all belong to Lee Carsley.

Some of these lap-top writers can take an eye out.

Still, I quite like Everton. An old club steeped in tradition (although they've never got over Jeff Astle)... more to the point they have a fridge filled full of Tiger beer at 5 per cent proof.

That new stadium can't come quickly enough for me. And they could do worse than move it 50 or 60 miles down the M6. Well, it looks like we might be losing one local derby, doesn't it?

The late kick-off had at least allowed for a pint in the Countess' Arms en-route to Merseyside via the A-roads.

As for the action...not the greatest of performances at Goodison, but I can't blame Villa for that.

Such was the threat of Gabby Agbonlahor's pace, and such was the accuracy of Gareth Barry and Ashley Young's through balls early on that the home side, nervy anyway after a poor run, just sat back and soaked up the space.

The second half wasn't the greatest from Villa's viewpoint, and they could have fallen a couple of goals behind with the wind blowing through Everton's sails.

But what a cracking last ten minutes!

There was a grey-haired reporter, I guess I could describe him as "elderly" although I know that is never flattering, sat next to me in the press box some time after the final whistle.

He was writing away on his lap-top and turned to me and said: "Who have you got next?"

It wasn't too difficult to guess I was probably covering Villa. I'd been pretty stonefaced throughout that first 80 minutes whereas most of the journalists sat around me spent the game punching the air when the opportunity struck.

"Wigan at home", I said and he replied: "Thought so. That's advantage Villa then as Everton are at Arsenal."

I said: "Well, not really as Everton have the points in the bag."

"I take your point", he said but then turned his gaze back to his screen. "But I'm sticking to my argument that it's Villa's fifth place now."

Whether he's right or wrong... and I think he is mistaken, but it promises to be a great last fortnight of a very fine season indeed.

Just imagine if Villa need the points at West Ham with Nigel Reo-Coker set to face the gauntlet of hate from his old supporters.