March 2009 Archives

MY BROTHER has just sent a text from Brisbane.

"I've hurt my foot trying to kick a mouse. I think it might be broken."

Did he mean his foot?

Was he talking about a computer mouse. Is that what is broken?

You can tell that it's not a particularly pleasant time to be involved with Aston Villa.

I'd prefer to be writing about mice rather than men. Although granted at times the two can become confused.

Take Anfield for instance.

Men against boys.

And mice.

One player exiting the ground and then pretending to check his mobile phone whilst he could then await back-up.

He was a senior player. Known for his robust, energetic style.

He stopped in his tracks when he noticed he had to walk outside, albeit a 20 yard chicken run blocked from the public by a run of four foot heavy steel barriers to get onto the team bus.

"Are there are fans out there?" - he asked a steward.

"A few", came back the reply.

So he hid behind a wall, punching buttons on his mobile phone until a 6'5" team-mate and two other colleagues walked past when he scurried after them, safe under their wings.

To be fair to the Villa supporters, they were terrific on Sunday. Chanting for Martin O'Neill and Randy Lerner, and the players for that matter, right to the bitter end of a crunching, demoralising defeat.

Few, if any, will have wanted to wait around the team coach to dish out stick.

What did we learn about the team?

Well, that Nigel Reo Coker should never be asked to play right-back again.

That neither Curtis Davies nor Carlos Cuellar have much confidence at present.

That Brad Friedel had a troublesome afternoon.

That Ashley Young disappears like something out of a Paul Daniels magic box when Villa play the top four.

That James Milner divides opinion almost as much as Gabby Agbonlahor judjing by the texts that come my way after games.

That Gareth Barry divides opinion almost as much as James Milner after defeats.

"Should Gareth Barry leave in the summer?" was the too predicatable web vote and chat taking place towards the end of the game.

Villa supporters can whistle if they think Barry leaving will be good for team rebuilding. Unfortunately they will have to get accustomed to that way of thinking because it is 90 per cent going to happen. And for £10 million what can you get these days?

Wilfred Bouma's return at Manchester United is a near cert. Thank the Lord!

A five man midfield with Gabby, Carew or Heskey up front is a near cert. Thank Goodness!

In the days of John Gregory when Villa were always pushing the big boys at the start of the season only to fall away runs of eight, ten or 12 games like this current sequence would always occur.

But such were the joyous expectations of mid-February that this season is far worse than anything that has gone befoe, since probably Graham Taylor's side fell away after challenging Liverpool through the early months of 1990.

Can they recover? The good news is that Manchester United have 20 players away on international duty, including a few kids. Although Ronaldo and Nani are only involved in one friendly against South Africa this Saturday, the likes of Tevez and Anderson - both whom you would imagine would become central figures in the light of such selection problems - will be playing back-to-back games in South America.

No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly refused to switch the match to the Saturday.

Villa have ten away, including Moustapha Salifou and a few who will not feature at Old Trafford.

Having the likes of Zat Knight and the quartet of Curtis Davies, Luke Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young dropped from the main England set-up helps.

Then Agbonlahor gets an under-21 call. It will not have gone down well with the manager but the irony is that after a season of 40-odd games for Villa Gabby actually needs games right now to get his confidence back.

United have three players suspended: Scholes, Rooney and Vidic, and Berbatov struggling through injury.

But would you bet on Villa? Not on current form. But then again, you wouldn't find many given them a prayer at The Emirates all those months ago.

Back to Anfield and some of the talk in the tunnel turned to Brian Clough, or more accurately, a steward asked John Robertson - ex of Nottingham Forest and then signed rather controversially by Peter Taylor at Derby County - what he thought of the new film about Clough's 44-day reign at Leeds United: "The Damned United."

The book has not gone down well with the Clough family. The biggest reason appears to be that the picture painted of Clough is that he was a heavy drinker, forever with a whiskey at hand.

I heard Robertson, politely, answer that he was not interested in the film, again because he thought it portrayed Clough in an unfair light.

"I never saw him take a drop", he quite firmly said to the man in the yellow jacket. before disappearing back into the bowels of the stadium.

Which reminds me....I once saw a journalist not drink whilst on the job.

As Buddy Holly once said: "The weather man said blue today .... but it's raining in my heart."

Just a month ago the mood was carnival-esque.

Now it's grey, bleak, mid-winter.

But when the weather outside is frightful, the fire is so delightful....and since we've no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Sorry about that! Just trying to cheer you all up.

In fact the weather outside is smashing, the fire is well and truly off, we've got Anfield and Old Trafford to go...

There are few, if any, positives knocking around unless you look hard enough.

What started with an FA Cup exit on Merseyside, became a UEFA Cup exit in Moscow under controversial circumstances. (I'm sure you all noted with a little interest that Moscow are now out).

A home defeat to Chelsea was bad enough. A victory then would have put Villa in with a chance of third.. or better. Five points clear of Chelsea, level with Liverpool, ten clear of Arsenal.

Then came Villa's 88 minute performance against Stoke. An eight point gap over Arsenal became six, became three, became nothing.

Man City away? Worst of the season for 45 minutes then deserved a point perhaps.

Spurs at home? Very bright indeed. But leaked goals. Then poor. Gabby Agbonlahor's substitution loudly cheered.

No wins in seven. Fans fearing a loss already of the top four.

Martin O'Neill now talking of ridiculous expectations rather than the Champions League.

Fifth perhaps no longer being secure with Everton just four points away.

Booed off in two successive home games.

Then that nonesense midweek about O'Neill being top of the FA's wanted list to replace Fabio Capello. Just ridiculous. "Worse than hypothetical", as the manager put it.

I always get back to Graham Taylor's old saying: "You'll never win any arguments if you don't win football matches."

All sorts of decisions suddenly come under scrutiny.

The £12 million spent on James Milner. The £7.8 million on Carlos Cuellar. £4 million on Zat Knight. £4 million on Marlon Harewood (although it appears Mick McCarthy sees something in him- good luck Wolves), the £4 million on Nicky Shorey, the £5 million on Steve Sidwell, the £10 million on Curtis Davies and the £8 million on Nigel Reo-Coker.

That's just shy of £55 million.

Substitutions, or lack of them. Reo-Coker and Luke Young (who is a strong contender now for Player of the Season and is surely well worth the £5 million summer outlay) playing in three different positions last weekend across the back four.

As I say, all sorts of questions are asked when before all was rosey.

All of a sudden the statistic that Villa have never won a game in March in eleven attempts under O'Neill has surfaced, as if to outline inherent flaws that will always see Villa tail off with two months of a season to go.

The truth of Villa's season lies somewhere between the jubilation immediately after that seventh straight away win at Blackburn last month, and the "desperation and self- destruction" (Martin O'Neill's words today) of the current run.

You might think I'm mad but Liverpool and Manchester United away are exactly what Villa need right now.

And so too does Agbonlahor.

I'm expecting him to start at Anfield on Sunday. Not up front, but out on the wing with James Milner moved inside.

I bet Gabby gets a terrific reception from the travelling fans.

I wish he'd ditch the red or green boots.

His body language often does him little favours. Just like Luke Moore before him.

He's not played well since Blackburn away. He should have come out of the team a few games back. But he didn't and you have to respect the manager's decision.

As O'Neill pointed out earlier this week, neither Watford nor Sheffield Wednesday wanted him back three years ago.

As for those sarcastic cheers. I am appalled by the media-driven obsession with fans cheering or booing.

One rolling news channel had an interview with a psychologist on the matter on Monday, waffling about a blame culture.

Listen.... the cheers at Villa Park after 79 minutes against Tottenham only just made the Birmingham Mail's match report.

Martin O'Neill's defiant post-match reaction and criticism of the supporters turned it into a big enough story to splash across the back page.

And over the last few days everyone from Alan Hansen, John Barnes, ray Houghton... you name it... they are all offering opinions.

Were the fans wrong? Not at all. They pay blummin' good money to see Villa and Gabby did not have a good game.

Did the player deserve it? No he didn't either. Whether the argument that he is extremely well paid, drives a flash lambourghini and therefore should take it on the chin stands up to scrutiny... well, that's a difficult one.

One goal and he'll be up and running again.

As for Villa... they need a big performance from somewhere fast. Then they'll be fine.

But there are so many issues with regards to the team right now. Some players are not performing and changes need to be made.

It will be 4-5-1, or 4-3-3 - however you see it - at Anfield. I'd play Heskey as the lone man, not Carew. Carew, in my opinion, still needs to pay pennance for taking it easy for two or three months this season with an injury that now appears to have cleared up. But why did he not play in Moscow?

Milner in a strong central three would be one route. Or Nigel Reo-Coker or Craig Gardner with Milner still out wide. Carlos Cuellar probably gets the nod over Curtis Davies who was certainly struggling without Laursen.

It is worth bearing in mind that this is still Villa's best season since 1996.

If fifth place is where it ends up then fine. Criticise the manager for his decision in Moscow but don't diminish the achievement. How much did Tottenham and Manchester City spend in January? Where are they now. I mean domestically. I know City are still in Europe!

A steely point full of passion at Anfield and the mood will swing back once again.

I'm just hoping that if Agbonlahor plays he chases some lost causes early on. In black boots.

We all know that playing Real Madrid and Juventus in pre-season friendlies means little.

Three years ago even that likelihood was a million miles away.

It just may take another season to make those sort of games happen in meaningful competition.

"IF the Queen were to win, would she present the Cup to herself?", said John Inverdale on the radio a minute ago.

He followed it with something even more irritating: "i know a lot of you are desperate to know what colour hat the Queen is wearing today, and I can tell you it is red".

Now I have nothing at all against the Queen. I'm British.

But horse racing is not sport.

40-something blokes, stuffing cash into their tweed pockets and drinking themselves into a stuper on cider.

So kindly get it off the radio and the TV.

Right... that's off my chest. Thank goodness for a football match this weekend!!

Villa were last out of the top four - where they have been since winning at Tottenham in September - in late December. And that was only for a couple of days.

Then came that late drama at Hull City and Villa have never looked back since.

There have been set-backs along the way. The late collapse at Stoke City was certainly the biggest. There have been poor, or at least average performances since, notably the first half against Manchester City.

An air of controversy has pinged the route with Martin O'Neill sending a second string out in Moscow after all the hullabaloo of the free flags and 38,000 at the home game.

Much is now being made of the fact that Arsenal may send them down to fifth by 5pm tomorrow.

And Martin O'Neill appears to be in the minority of being unconcerned.

He merely wants Villa to be within a point or two of Arsenal after the next three league games: Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United. And that will probably involve taking four points, certainly three and no fewer.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of Moscow the point is this: it was the manager's decision and therefore it was the right one. End of debate.

It has been a remarkable season in so many ways. Seven successive away wins - a club record; 13 league games unbeaten - the best since 1910 in the top flight, best points haul after 28 games since 1990, and of course keeping Arsenal at bay.

It's the closest anyone has come to breaking the stranglehold of the top four since Tottenham, a few years back, only for Martin Jol's side to falter at the final hurdle, albeit with allegations of food poisoning thrown in after the players had eaten at a London hotel before a defeat at West Ham.

It was with a little suprise then that I saw an article from Paul Merson on the Sky web-site today.

"Villa have done great, but this will be a nightmare season for them if they don't come in the top four," he says.

Now then, I like Paul. I think he is eminently watchable on Sky's rolling sports station on a Saturday afternoon, or a Tuesday night - particularly when commenting on Portsmouth or Arsenal.

He was just the same as a player. God knows I was lucky in my early years to have the likes of him, David James and Gareth Southgate fill up my notebook, or more likely dictaphone, in the days when Gareth Barry was too shy to utter much more than a few words. (Gareth was 17 at the time and I think I would have crumbled at the thought of talking about my aims and ambitions at such a tender age. All I wanted to know was who might be going down the 'Allerdale' on Friday night).

I happen to think that regardless of how the next ten games pans out, Villa will have taken a mighty stride forwards.

Of course finishing fifth will be a bitter pill to swallow. But how often in the last ten years have Villa qualified for the Uefa Cup? ?Or should that be the Europa League?

Not in the last decade as of right. Only through winning the InterTwobob - and then John Gregory tossed it all away against some Croatian pig farmers X1.

"They went out of the cups very tamely to concentrate on the league, so if they don't finish fourth then the season will be a disappointment," continued Merson.

Well, he's right there. The Everton performance was not good. Moscow at home certainly was. And the away leg has been pontificated on for an eternity already.

Merson continues: "Half of the Tottenham team would get in the Villa team and vice versa."

That's an interesting one. Name your combined eleven.

Let me see: Friedel, Luke Young, Bouma (when fit), Woodgate, Laursen (when fit), Lennon or Milner (toss a coin), Petrov or Palacios (toss a coin), Barry, Ashley Young, Keane, Defoe (when fit).

Well, that makes three Tottenham certainties and a couple of maybes.

There's little doubt that with Tottenham's preferred front two Villa would be miles clear of Arsenal right now.

Merson says that Villa "absolutely have to win" on Sunday or things can go "horribly wrong".

I disagree.

If they can't win then what Villa need, more than anything, is a performance to keep the crowd on their side after the late surrender to Stoke City.

One point will keep them ahead of Arsenal, that's all. And it is Villa's final five matches on paper where the points should start stacking up again.

Villa are more than capable of winning at Anfield. Just as they are capable of nicking something at Old Trafford - although I admit they simply cannot go there looking for their first win since 1983 and Peter Withe on the back of two defeats.

On another matter well done to Barry Bannan in clinching a move to Derby, albeit for a month.

So that is who Martin O'Neill was having a meeting with after last week's reserve game against Chelsea!!

There's me thinking Nigel Clough was after Marlon Harewood. Wishful thinking!!

And congratulations too to Stuart Taylor on his brief move to Cardiff. After such a long time in the shadows at Villa it will be a blessed relief for him to get some matches under his belt again.

Hopefully, later today we might get some news on Martin Laursen's knee.

Boy, haven't Villa missed him?

Firstly, it was with sadness that we heard of the passing of Harry Parkes at the age of 89.

Rarely will a club lose four such mighty stalwarts, legends.. whatever you want to call them, as Johnny Dixon, aged 85, Vic Crowe, 76, and Paul Birch, aged just 45 in such a short space of time.

I wonder if Parkes will be afforded a minute's silence against Tottenham, or applause? I think, as always, the family decide.

It's been a strange football-free weekend for supporters and writers of everything claret and blue.

I've had to resort to cutting the grass in the back garden after an edict from she who knows best (where was the snow last night, just when I needed it!)

I didn't bother with the first televised game in the FA Cup.

But I gather ITV managed to catch both Chelsea goals in their stroll at Coventry, so well done to them.

There's a heap of football elsewhere. Some tasty games in the Championship. And a shock north of the border.

But apart from Sunderland's home game against Tottenham - which had some bearing on Villa because of this coming Sunday - there's nothing in the Premier League.

And after watching two games a week for God only knows how long (apologies for the blasphemy), that's more than a little odd.

I suppose we'd better you used to free Saturdays at Villa.

Ten games left over the next two-and-a-half months. The next four fixtures are penned in for Sundays, although the trip to Manchester United could yet revert to the Saturday.

I spent most of this Saturday afternoon listening to the cricket where England were doing their best to level the series against the Windies on a pudding of a track.

I was in Dubai the last time Villa were out there. It was in the David O'Leary era but at least they did have a match to contend with back then against Al Nasr.

There was little point in going out this time to see Martin O'Neill put them through their paces on the golf course.

Let's hope a couple of days rest can rejuvenate an ailing season.

I remember Martin O'Neill making a point at the very start of this season about the InterToto Cup and how it could sap energies later on in the campaign.

He had been in conversation with his trusted sidekick, the very Geordie doctor Roddy McDonald who had been with Newcastle when they were involved in a run to the latter stages of the UEFA Cup until 15 March 2007.

McDonald's point was that Europe took its toll throughout a miserable domestic season.

Newcastle had qualified through the InterToto against Lillestrom.

They progressed through to a last 16 place against AZ Alkmaar and were 3-0 up in the first leg after 23 minutes and 4-1 up after 38 minutes, only to eventually succumb in the second leg in Holland on away goals.

That European march had seen some memorable performances: Fenerbahce, Palermo and Celta Vigo were beaten and Eintracht Frankfurt drawn with in Germany before a three month break to February where Waregem were dispensed with over two legs.

But whilst all this was going on in Europe, Newcastle's form in the Premier League was woeful despite all the hope following the high profile summer acquisitions of Damien Duff and Obafemi Martins.

By the time they had qualified for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, Newcastle were in the relegation places with just three wins from their opening 14 matches.

Around that time a section of Newcastle supporters staged a protest after 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United, many calling for the resignation of chairman Freddy Shepherd as well as other members of the board.

But the time Newcastle were dumped out of Europe Glenn Roeder's side had improved to sit in 11th spot but still well short of their pre-season ambitions. And by the end of May they had slipped back to 13th with a paltry 43 points - five clear of the drop.

Roeder resigned to be replaced by Sam Allardyce. But the decline was to continue.

With those sorts of statistics it makes you wonder why the fuss in the fist place about sending 'Martin's Minnows', or 'O'Neill's Nippers' to Russia.

Despite all the doom and gloom of no wins in six, including two miserable cup exits, Villa still sit fourth in the table after 45 matches in all competitions, three points clear of Arsenal and few could have dreamt of such a position when, on the 15th November, Villa travelled to Arsenal without John Carew and after being beaten by Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

As for the 300 who travelled to Moscow?

Their big day at the Holte Suite has been penned in for Tuesday April 7th when manager Martin O'Neill will be thanking them in person for a tremendous show of support in Russia.

It is hoped that the season does not fall away over the next few weeks to such an extent that more free lunches are called for.

I'm all for a sliding scale of reward for supporters: travel to Moscow for a reserve game - free posh nosh and free drink on the club; FA Cup exit before last eight: fish and chips on way home, home defeat to Leicester: free bag of peanuts and a pint in pub of Curtis Davies' choice, home draw against Stoke after being 2-0 up after 88 minutes: free psychiatric support and mind-numbing drugs for remaining three months of season.

I'm a little speechless for once.

The defeat last night has got me wondering just where to go with this.

Do I condemn Villa for a woeful first half at the City of Manchester Stadium?

Or are we all reading far too much into fatigue, or nerves, or both because after the break they were really rather good?

Perhaps too many people are exclaiming a bubble burst when the team has perhaps suffered just a reversal of some of the fortune that went their way at, for example, West Ham and Hull?

For sure the ghosts of Moscow are haunting the manager and will continue to do so until he wins a football match.

Next three matches? You won't need reminding it is against a Tottenham team who have finally found some form. Villa will have to score once just to get a point because you can guarantee Robbie Keane will score again against them.

Then Anfield and Old Trafford. Everton and West Ham then follow at home.

Arsenal have Blackburn, Newcastle, Man City and Wigan.

An eight point lead over Arsenal with a minute to go against Stoke City has become three within an instant.

The run of seven successive away wins - a club record and one of the best records in the history of the top flight as only Chelsea, twice, Arsenal and Tottenham have ever done better - has come to an end.

Curtis Davies was subbed at half-time in Manchester. He lasted 70 minutes against Chelsea. He appears to be at the cross-roads of his season.

Gabby Agbonlahor is struggling. Hardly a week goes by without some fan proclaiming him to be the most "over-rated" player in the league.

Ashley Young's first half at the City of Manchester Stadium is best forgotten. More histrionics after losing the ball on the edge of the City box, more treatment required from Alan Smith which miraculously solved his hobble. At least his second half was far more of what we have come to expect - taking on defenders and cutting inside and taking shots at goal.

Winning is a habit just as losing, or not winning is one.

Depressed yet?

Well, lets look at the flip side.

Dubai has come at a terrific time for some players. Some, admittedly, are family men and privately did not feel the need to catch another flight and stay in another hotel when their private lives have taken such a battering already over the last few weeks, with all the games and travelling.

But for others the chance of a bit of sunshine and a game of golf will help them re-wind after a hectic campaign.

Agbonlahor has played all but nine minutes of Villa's 28 league games this season. That's some statistic.

Carlos Cuellar had arguably his best game for the club last night - impressive both at right-back and in the middle after Davies' hasty retreat.

Brad Friedel was magnificent. What a save from Elano. The best, without doubt,since David James although they are quite different keepers both in terms of style (James oustanding in coming off his line, Friedel safer nearer his goalline) and personality.

Luke Young, in my book, is pushing Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petriov all the way for Player of the Season. The trio of them rarely have a bad game.

Zat Knight is no longer the one defender looking out of place whom you could rely on making that one crucial error in a game.

Emile Heskey does so much unselfish work whilst John Carew is, without doubt, back to his form of last autumn at last which, at that time, made him Villa's most influential player.

Whether he stays for another season? The very fact he only signed a one year extension last summer always indicated that talks will take place on that very subject sometime soon.

It is too early to call either way, I'd say.

The club have in the last week come up trumps with two fine pieces of PR work.

The idea for "the feeding of the 300", the fans who travelled to Moscow, was welcome indeed, and I don't believe a hollow gesture either. Fair play to the manager and Randy Lerner for that one.

Then today's announcement that Acorns will be represented on the shirts for another season really is wonderful news. In fact, "wonderful" doesn't come close to how superb the gesture is.

And what good would £2 million do for Villa anyway? It would barely keep Marlon Harewood on the staff for another 12 months.

In conclusion, it's easy to get down when results aren't goign your way.

But why not take a leaf out of Jack Woodward's book.

The Villa TV commentator asked of Luke Young on camera after the defeat at Man City: "A draw against Stoke and a defeat at Man City hardly represents a slump. It almost shows how far you have come in that it does feel like that, in a way," he said.

No mention of Everton, CSKA Moscow at home, Chelsea at home or CSKA Moscow away then....

Villa are still fourth. Another three wins out of ten and they will be almost certain to be in the UEFA Cup as of right next season.

Victory against Spurs and the season will feel like it is motoring again.

And don't forget those last five games are against Bolton, Hull, Fulham, Middlebrough and Newcastle.

The season is still very much alive. It just feels right now as if it has gone to sleep.

Terrific news to have Wilfred Bouma back and playing football again.

It's been a long road back, but 90 minutes against Chelsea's reserves tonight in front of a decent crowd will do his comeback no end of good.

Bouma may have cause to feel more misery at Villa's limp exit from Europe last week more than most.

Had Villa not even set out on the InterToto - UEFA Cup route back in July then perhaps then he may have avoided serious injury.

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

I'd be interested to hear Nicky Shorey's private thoughts on Bouma's return - which I'd have thought would not be for quite some weeks yet such is his shortage of match fitness.

Still, it's great to have him back.

Nigel Clough was there tonight.

As was Sunderland scout Ian Atkins.

Who are they watching? Well, Marlon Harewood would be a very decenmt acquisition for anyone in the Championship for a month or two.

Guus Hiddink and Ray Wilkins were there too.

I only know that because they stumbled across my young three year old lad as they exited a lift on the third floor of the Trinity Road Stand.

Hiddink look at young George, sat quitely on the carpet on his backside, and said to him: "You've got the right idea!"

Wilkins almost fell over himself laughing at the sight of the youngster - small in size but with big blue eyes and naturally spikey hair that would make him a natural for a hair gel advert - taking it easy and they departed through the double doors and to the directors reception.

I couldn't say anything at the time.

I was actually on the telephone to Martin O'Neill who was about ten minutes away from the ground on his way to the game. (The media department had sorted a pre- Manchester City press call for which I am grateful).

I was struck by their friendliness, albeit in just a fleeting exchange.

It was a great night all round: fans in for free, seven goals and the return of a very popular figure.

George watched five minutes of his first ever football match, then wanted the toilet, then returned briefly to want the orange team to win (the Chelsea keeper was wearing orange), then he got bored and was shown how the Trinity Road turnstiles work by a friendly steward.

It's funny but my eldest lad William, almost six, has the distinction of only ever seeing one football match, and that was when Villa were out in Dubai playing a friendly some years back.

Suddenly those Stoke goals aren't quite so vivid in the memory.

Chant of the season for me has to be: "Have you won the Reserve League South...the Reserve League South.." (sung to the tune of: "Have you won the European Cup?")

It was sung in Moscow where the fringe team (Stiliyan Petrov has said in an interview after the Stoke game that you can't call them 'reserves' because it is disrespectful, as they are all good players - I think he is missing the meaning of the word 'reserves' there though).

It goes to show you that despite all the hullabaloo of the 'weakened' side (Petrov will probably be pulling his hair out if he gets wind of me calling them that), some fans were determined to enjoy themselves.

Martin O'Neill took an awful lot of flak by a sizeable section of the travelling 300 near the front of the away section. He had walked across the pitch and offered a wave and was met with some filthy language.

Yet many more supporters were just as appalled by that fans' reaction, and went out of their way to applaud the team and the manager.

Never before has a team selection divided opinion.

Did Villa really throw away a golden chance of silverware? Or was it necessary in view of the run-in back home and the chance to finish ahead of Arsenal?

We won't know until the near the end of May by which time the frustrations supporters are feeling now will have eased.

I, like 99 per cent of supporters, would have preferred to see a full strength side in Moscow and then a battling performance against Stoke City.

After 25 minutes of yesterday's match I could not see there being anything other than a Villa victory. Even more so after 45 minutes and of course even more so when big John Carew finally found some form and a finish to match his pedigree after three months of virtually nothing.

O'Neill will only win arguments, like any other manager, when his team is winning games.

It's the same with Arsene Wenger, or closer to home Tony Mowbray and down a division Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish.

It doesn't matter a jot how well Arsenal's kids are playing when they can't score for toffee.

Same for Mowbray whose defence gift two goals a game. And are Wolves and Blues fans signing and dancing in the top two of the Championship. Nope, they're as miserable as sin.

The match reports for yesterday's game at Villa Park were already written at 80 minutes.

Mine read something along the lines of: "O'Neill justified his decision to leave his big guns at home and to field his pop guns in Moscow."

Ten minutes later the argument resurfaced. My report then centred on the biggest giveaway since Woolworths went bust at Christmas.

Still, it's still six points clear of Arsenal.

That'll still take some catching, although a defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday (a result at this moment I just can't see, despite the possible absence of Craig Bellamy and Robinho through injury) could see that gap cut to three points with Arsenal ever so likely to beat Albion tomorrow.

You may hopefully start to see the benefits of the Moscow no-show around the time of the Liverpool and Manchester United away trips when hopefully the opposition will have their eyes focused on Europe.

One or two thoughts on yesterday's game before I sign off: Ashley Young needs a kick up the backside. Head-shaking, hands on hips.... Young was a picture of 12-year-old whose sweets have been confiscated by the head teacher.

And what of his pathetic remonstrations against Howard Webb over a throw-in after the ball clipped his heel on the way out?

Young, unlike his namesake Luke, played like a spoilt child all afternoon. He needs to start putting in some performances like a world beater, and yes he is extremely capable of doing so, before he can acts like a superstar.

Gabby Agbonlahor certainly didn't benefit from a week's rest. What a woeful finish from six yards from Carew's cross. Stiliyan Petrov was excellent in that first half.

At the back Carlos Cuellar continues to baffle. Zat Knight is having a decent time of it and Curtis Davies isn't.

It's amazing how quickly things can turn around. A few weeks back Villa could fall over their own feet and still pick up three points. Now you wonder where the next win is coming from.

Not to worry. City are having a hopeless run of results themselves (one win in five in the league) and eight straight away wins would undoubtedly justify not just the Moscow team but re-invigorate tired limbs ahead of their sunshine break in Dubai.