Two great clubs from a different era meet this week-end, and since the Villa are playing Blackburn, it could be that Rudi is licking his lips!

We’ve won 65, drawn 33 and lost 58 of our 156 previous encounters, and the last two home encounters at the two ends of the year 2011 resulted in 4-1 and 3-1 wins to the Villa. But who can forget the second leg of the League Cup semi at Villa Park in January 2010, when we won 6-4 in a roller-coaster of a match, and winning overall 7-4 thanks to a brilliant Milner strike at Blackburn.

So, 13 goals against ’em in three out of four most recent home encounters! (Er, they beat us out of revenge for the semi result in May, 2010). I suppose we could almost be accused of being in la-la land if we were to start openly stating that Villa might score a few this Saturday, but I have to say, though, it is a possibility. After all, Blackburn seem to have a shaky defence and they are lying in one of the relegation spots.

With Brucey’s record of two wins and two draws since he took over, I can imagine he’d really love to get a decisive victory this week, against one of the lower clubs, to not only win but to add confidence to his team – and us! But Rovers are going to come to Villa Park and treat it like some cup final of long ago, when winning cup finals was their stock-in-trade. Even so, I have this little feeling that if Villa can score within the first ten or fifteen minutes, they could be runaway winners in this fixture.

Ayew’s not going to be with us for this match, so there’s no opportunity for him to miss chances! So, whoever plays instead of him will have a chance to make a name for themselves! Could it be Gabby?! Maybe not: I’d expect ‘Mac’ to be in the starting line-up, though if Adomah is not fit then Gabby might be there. Or, as I started by saying, our Rudi may be given the chance to run riot against his old mates.

And – being Guy Fawkes Day – maybe we’ll see some fireworks!

It could be a very interesting match, and the chance to lift us up closer to mid-point in the table.

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John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.

Comments 46

  1. Archie

    John, Just depends which Villa team turns up on the day. Hopefully the one which is fired up and focused.
    But you never know, this is the Villa after all.

  2. Trinity

    Thanks for the great leader, John.
    That is a great rivalry between Rovers and Villa. I remember being at VP at the end of Feb 2011 to see Villa beat a Ryan Nelson led Rovers 4-1 I think. Ryan was the Kiwi captain too, so it was good to see him play. I remember Robert Pires beating players but having no speed left. Young and that winger who went to Pool had big games. Should be a few goals in this one.

  4. steamer

    Trin,
    Ryan Nelson, imo, was one of the best penalty box defenders i’ve seen, excellent player and captain.
    Have a nasty feeling about this game, 0-1 and the usual stodgy performance.

  5. Heroes-and-Villans

    Well the reason bruce was hired is to win these games. Nothing but a comfy win by at least 2 goals will do.

    In fact Bruce has to be the manager who at lasts makes vp into a fortress.

    Any designs to get into the playoffs then we have to win at vp

  6. southwestvillan

    Having taken a slurp of positivity from Steamers goblet which I may add only the dregs left I think this will be the first comfortable win this season, I can see at least a three goal cushion to set us on our way.

    Altogether now ” Potato Heads Claret and Blue Army”, come on Steamer join in, Steamer —–
    Steamer put that bloody hammer down.

    SWV

  10. Mark King

    I expect us to sit back and let Blackburn have the ball which should puzzle them they haven’t had it all season.

    Steamer murphy scored another couple and green scored to,. tishbola got the other, grealish got the runs, literally and Gabby kept his scoring record up by getting Jack shit

  11. John Lerwill

    Mark: “Gabby kept his scoring record up by getting Jack s**t”

    Perhaps, but didn’t he create a couple?

    People go on about him not scoring but at least he has created a few.

  12. Mark King

    JL- yes it appears so, trouble is for me is it is a few and not many, whats his highest assists for a season? 5, average 2.8 a season, last time was 2013/14 one more than his goal tally. Ross Mccormack averages 9 plus twenty goals, As he is supposed to be a forward and not a no 10 or a winger I can’t see what he offers above other players we have that can score. who would we sacrifice to accommodate him? that and he is dragging a lot of baggage with him reputation wise.

    “Villa took the lead midway through the first half – Tshibola with a fine finish after good work from Agbonlahor and Green down the left.

    With their tails up, the claret and blues added to their tally three minutes later – Hepburn-Murphy converting Agbonlahor’s clever cross at the far post.

    Rovers started the second period strongly and dictated large periods.

    Lewis Mansell showing good strength only to fire his attempt wide while substitute Joseph Rankin-Costello saw his strike edge narrowly wide.

    Blackburn pushed forward and Villa made the game safe on the break – Hepburn-Murphy found in space down the right, charging forward and finishing well.

    Much like with the first two goals – the fourth came in quick succession – Hepburn-Murphy, on a hat-trick saw a header saved – Green able to net the rebound.”

  13. villa@herts

    My first villa park game was on the 5 September 1964.
    The best part of the game was when the ball bounced into the terraces and hit me in the face I refused to wash my face all weekend! Needles to say worst part was that we were beaten. 0 – 4 by Blackburn Rovers!

    I think if it hadn’t been hit by the ball I would have realised what a hopeless cause I was supporting! I wonder if it’s too late to make a claim for my brain damage!!

  14. Heroes-and-Villans

    I had a bad time watching blackburn too. Me and the old man went to our first game under the lights at vp midweek. Lost 4 – 0 and car broke down on way home. Got in 3 am and had my gcse results that day.

  15. John Lerwill

    Herts: “5 September 1964…. beaten. 0 – 4 by Blackburn Rovers!”

    I wuz there too … and remember a certain Mick Ferguson dribbled passed 4 or 5 Villa defenders for their fourth. Four years later (in Div 2) he was a Villa player, but I don’t recall that he showed quite the same class for us.

  16. steamer

    Saw Ferguson do something similar for Villa at Middlesboro’ one night, dribbled three quarters the length of the pitch leaving smogheads all over the place, took it round the keeper and then put the chud over the bar, priceless. Bobby Charlton scored a similar goal for Untied at VP the same season as Rovers 4-0 win.
    Russian in the squad today, too little too late ?
    Judging by Spudheads comments about Slappy’s “good for morale” Villa should have played Stan Boardman vs Untied at Wemberlee, its Spuds job to get the team motivated not a player who has undermined half a dozen previous managers which makes the “its all in the past” comment so stupid, when Bruce is booted (hopefully soon) he’ll be crying about disloyalty.
    Good news that Sarfgate may not accept the England job if offered, the FA have a long history of appointing dummies so Spud must be next in line and we can look for a proper boss.
    0-1 today and the crowd will begin to twig.

  17. Mark King

    Steamer- Just reading the snippet from the U23’s game you can see yes Gabby had a hand in two goals but meanwhile a real striker was there to finish the chance created and fashion his own goal and have a hand in the fourth by hitting the bar. Last game Bruce stuck Gabby on the bench when Green would of been a better sub for Adhoma imo than RM, we then had no width and created nothing of note all game bar a set piece.

  18. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Well Gabby set up Mac with a back-heel not long after coming on … his shot resulted in a corner but it might well have hit the top corner of the net.

    I thought Gabby upped the tempo a bit and – to be honest – I don’t think Green can do that – yet.

  19. Mark King

    JL- no offence but how do we know that? he doesn’t get to play more than 10 mins once in a blue moon, Meanwhile The half fit gabby on a weight loss regime is considered a better bet? Bruce said in his presser its not the time to play him as he’s not match fit and when managers have used him half fit he’s got injured? yet he saw fit to release him to run about like loon to try and prove a point? no chance of injuring yourself while half warmed up and in a state of high excitement is there.

  20. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    I only go by what I see! For me (it’s just my opinion) Gabby shows more effectiveness as a late sub despite the negative aspects. But Green certainly has the signs of a fine prospect.

  23. steamer

    So “absolutely terrific” Wastewood is omitted, think its same to assume that Spud and the truth aren’t exactly close neighbours.
    Wonder if Lamebert will be in for AW.
    Bet Bent enjoyed that goal.

  24. Mark King

    Jl and Steamer Tony needs your input lads

    Dr. Tony Xia ‏@Dr_TonyXia Nov 3
    Have set up a group to start the plan of VP redevelopment project.Hope we will make a more beautiful Villa Park. Any thoughts?#UTV

  27. steamer

    The thing with VP is that Herbert destroyed the classiest stand in world football and rebuilt the ground with plastic and glass so as far as i’m concerned they can move to some super stadium in Perry Park or somewhere.

  29. steamer

    Mark,
    You’ve put some very good posts up on TVB recently, shame i can’t say the same about James20, at least the bickering has ceased, it really was vicious.

  32. James Gill

    kamara has just said blackburn are out playing us anyone at match can agree/disagree,bruce picked side similar to rdm so unbalanced, no heburn murphy on bench 2 goals midweek yey one goal a season flabby is ?

  42. James Gill

    roll on january
    please bruce get a rb at least 1 cm and a winger
    new summer signing
    gollina seems to be settling
    delaet injured no comment
    chester decent player
    elphik to be fair had not heard of him before and it shows poor buy
    tish only young but not what we needed in summer poor buy
    jedi overpriced but should be ok over season
    adoamh looking good
    kodja looking good
    rcm too old too dear poor buy
    dr watch your buying
    4 good buys gollina chester adoamh kodja
    2 so so buys tish jedi
    2 poor buys elphik rcm

  44. Heroes-and-Villans

    We won!!! 3 beautiful points. Greatbto have that feeling going into int break.

    Kodger got injured fair enough but wheres tisch!!!

    Better second half bruce said it too.

    Fancy football aint this league though….results is king.

    Brighton away next. Hold your hats.

  45. John Lerwill

    Gabby

    http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/heres-how-aston-villas-gabby-12133091?

    “Agbonlahor had been on the pitch just a matter of seconds when he started the move for the winner.

    “His pass out to Gary Gardner, who in turn set up Mile Jedinak for a brilliant pass which Kodjia converted, was Agbonlahor’s most significant contribution of his cameo.

    “Agbonahor was used as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation and as well as his part in the winning goal he produced a couple of neat touches.

    “He spread the play wide with a controlled pass, chested down another ball to a team-mate and showed willing to hassle a Blackburn defender and regain possession for Villa in a dangerous area.

    “There were a couple of promising moments around the penalty box when the ball just wouldn’t fall for him, but it was another encouraging cameo.”

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