It was a great start for Alex McLeish with three goals and three points the ideal way to kick off the home campaign. I was also very happy with the reception given to him by fans, showing that for all the complaining and bickering over the close season, the fans are willing to give Big ‘Eck a chance. It was nice to hear a good reception when his name was announced over the tannoy system too.
Three goals from Gabby, Heskey, and Darren Bent, gave Villa the three points and a place at the top of the league, albeit likely only for a temporary period.
After a start from Blackburn that put Villa on the back foot, McLeish was on his feet with something to cheer about. In the 12th minute, attacking from the left, Agbonlahor struck a quality right-foot angled curling shot beyond the goalkeeper Paul Robinson from 15 yards. It will, hopefully, go on to silence some of the fans who have criticised him in recent times, often unfairly comparing him with Darren Bent.
In the 19th minute David Goodwillie had a chance to draw Blackburn level, only to send a 12-yard shot over the angle of the woodwork after controlling a flick on to a David Hoilett cross from the left.
Robinson was beaten again in the 25th minute by a low shot from Heskey after he was assisted by Agbonlahor.
Villa then saw out the remainder of the half in which Shay Given was never truly tested, other than palming over a dipping cross from underneath his crossbar.
Sadly, Agbonlahor’s game was over at half time with Marc Albrighton replacing him. Only seven minutes after the restart, Blackburn pulled the game back to 2-1 signalling a slightly nervy period for Villa. Hoilett had beaten three players before crossing a ball which was attacked by Pedersen in order to create a glimpse of hope for Blackburn.
McLeish was forced to make a second substitution, bringing on Ciaran Clark for Luke Young. Warnock switched from left back to right back to cover the loss of Young.
Marc Albrighton almost gave Villa a third with a low effort going inches wide of the right side of the goal.
McLeish made his final substitution in the 66th minute with Bannan on for Heskey. Heskey had appeared to take a knock on his chest in an earlier challenge.
A minute after the introduction of Bannan, it was 3-1, with Bent seizing on a ball that dropped to him from Hanley’s block from Petrov’s earlier shot.
With the third goal going in, it left Villa in cruise control, with the only concern being that of the injuries picked up, combined with the concern that Shay Given had pulled his groin for the second week in a row.
Final Verdict
Overall, the game was a great start to our home season, with my particular highlights being a warm reception for McLeish, and the involvement of other strikers in both assists and goalscoring. I will be delighted if we can see a more even spread of contribution of goals between Heskey, Agbonlahor, and Bent, as I am concerned about the precarious nature of overrelying on Darren’s poaching ability.
I also eagerly await the development of Charles N’Zogbia who, undoubtedly, has a great future ahead of him.
The Author
