Quite simply, what a brilliant win that was!
But it was a bit of an up and down game for me for reasons I’ll go into below.
This is more of a personal post, just for posterity, just in case I want to look back sometime in the future, but the truth is I doubt very much that I’ll ever forget this game.
What I saw of it anyway.
As some of you may know, I’d decided to book a last minute holiday to Cyprus, as work has currently dropped off, before we go on a big push again. It’s just an ideal time.
The flight went okay and I’d pre booked a car, no problem.
Until I went to pick up the car and they basically wanted to jack up the price by 50%. Being a man with some principles, I quite simply refused to be held to ransom and ended up refusing to pay. I then
had to get a taxi to the hotel. It was expensive and frankly a pain.
So we arrived at the hotel at around 1am Sunday morning and of course, the first mission (along with getting a well deserved beer or two) was to try and find out where I could get to see the game.
I was chatting to the barman and he assured me that if the game was on Fox sports, I’d be able to watch it. There happened to be some Spanish footy on the telly and up flashed a list of games, with the semi final included.
“There you, no problem” says the barman. All Good stuff then and it was bedtime.
After a few hours sleep, the next mission was to sort a car, as the missus isn’t too mobile these days.
We sorted that out and were basically all set, so I felt a few more beers were called for as I warmed up for the match.
Imagine my horror then, when I discovered that the game wasn’t on.
With two minutes to go, I scrabbled around to find a stream for my Lappy, which I managed, but the Broadband is of such low quality that it was basically unwatchable.
The missus suggested that she drive us down to an area where we could probably get to see the game. Which we duly did.
It had cost us the first half near enough though and we walked into a bar, to see that Benteke had just equalized.
I was fuming, as by the sound of it I’d missed a big chunk of what was apparently a very good game, something that annoys me in a normal game, let alone one as big as this.
Fortunately, I managed to watch the second half fine and of course was able to witness a result that is the biggest for the Villa in many a year, especially when you bring the media darlings that are Liverpool into the equation.
How sweet it’s been to put one over those and ruin the Gerrard fairytale story.
Regardless of what I’ve thought of him as a player and captain for his club and country, I’ll never be able to forgive him for that cheating dive at VP, which earned him a freekick, which Pool went on to beat us with, a few seasons back.
Me watching the game must have been quite a comical sight for the others in the bar, to be honest.
Those watching the game were mostly ex pat old timers from up north who constantly rattled on about Liverpool, even though they weren’t fans.
Then Delph scored to take the lead and I automatically screamed out a monster “Yeeeeeessss!”
The whole pub looked around and I felt massively embarrassed, but didn’t care.
As the game went on and Pool put us under more and more pressure, where it looked inevitable that they would score, so my arms were flapping around and my practically getting on my knees and praying had the locals in bits.
Another massive cheer at the final whistle then and that was it, a game where we were the better side, although from what I saw it was more an utterly resolute performance.
Back to the hotel for another pint and then straight to bed, totally elated and thinking about Wembley again.
Where I’ve just slept for the best part of 14 hours.
I think it was a combination of things, in the flight, the stress and the pure emotion (and probably the beers too), which made me so tired, but it was worth it.
Certainly one of the longest days I’ve had in years.
Langford has it right and his comments have been echoed by me to other footy fans I’ve spoken too, in that we can now score goals, which quite simply means you can win a game.
Hence I’m no longer scared of anyone.
Bring on Man City next week.
Indeed, bring the lot of them on, as although I certainly don’t think we’re unbeatable, we can beat anyone on the day, in my opinion.
As for “Tactics Tim”, whatever we think, he’s plainly got results when they’ve mattered and if that’s poor tactics, let’s have a load more of it, I say.
It’s all about results and when you’re playing decent footy too, it can’t be bad can it?
Proud of the lads today and it’s ended up a superb start to my holiday.
UTV!!!!
Get in there!
Blinding result and no doubt those of you who were there must have had a great day.
My Derby mate has just rung me to congratulate the team on winning and hopes we stick it up Arsenal.
Enjoy today lads, I know I am.
Get that shirt on Badger and sod the locals, thought you did that on holidays? OK now relax and soak that sun up and walk tall the Villa are back.
I had the shirt on Bill 🙂
I always take a selection and wear them with pride mate.
Whilst trying to not go over the top, I think we might well just be on the way back.
I don’t expect us to set the prem alight, but I can see the days of constant relegation struggle being over.
Badger. Sorry to hear you have had such a stressful time. Hope you go on to enjoy the rest of your break.
I dont fear anyone in the PL. There was that ‘extra something’ yesterday that suggests that we are really on the up. Only Randy can fuck this up. I trust Sherwood to spend wisely so I really hope Lerner supports him financially.
I fear NOBODY, did you hear me? I fear NOBODY!
Hey lads did Lerner go to Wembley yesterday? not that it worries me just wondering how loyal the man is, having said that not very anyway.I’m still up in the air me.
Morning all.
Bill, Lerner never went yesterday due to a family bereavement. He will attend the Final though according to Tom Fox in the Brum Mail. My fucking head is thumping…..but well worth it!
We fear NOBODY 🙂
Badger enjoy your hols MATE,where the shirt with pride over there & most of all GET IT DOWN YER. 😀
Heh, the “longest day” as in a poor start, but a brilliant finale.
Can we win the ultimate game?
I think even the neutrals might be thinking we have a serious chance now.
I’d so love to go to the final, but will be maintaining my stance in that it’d be hypocritical of me.
And trying to get a ticket will be nigh on impossible anyway, given the massive demand for what? around 23000 tickets?
My bigger worry is more the prawn sandwich eaters, who will no doubt be backing the Arse, hence making it more like an away game for us.
Mind you, that could work to our advantage, as we have a pretty decent record against Arse away.
Could this be the year??????
Official possession stats are 50 – 50. That says it all really against a side full of talent that is well known to keep control of the ball and dominate possession. Under no previous manager, including MON, would we have managed to keep the ball so much, let alone be so effective with it. It looks like Sherwood knows what he’s doing – the stats speak for themselves. We would have been lucky to hit 35% possession under any of the previous managers in such a game against such opposition. Congrats to Tim Sherwood – massive achievement.
Possession isn’t everything though. Remember we still beat Liverpool,Chelsea and City under lamberk with only 35% possession. Look at Chelsea v Utd on Saturday cheksea had hardly any possession ESP second half but still won.
I thought in those games we were papering over the cracks though?
Is oohah still in mourning?
Who cares lol ?!?
We care, We’re caring people on here 😉
What a lift to a holiday that got off to a shaky start, enjoy the rest of the sun, sand, sea & shirts lol !
Don’t worry about it being like an away day, even if the Villans are well outnumbered (as I would imagine too, Arse will blag most of Club Wembley), our support will be magnificent, just as it was yesterday.
I predicted 2-0 Liverpool yesterday, lovely to be proved wrong. Arsenal should win the final, let’s be honest, we were hammered by them last time, but we have a new man at the helm and he seems to be getting it right.
Spurs away, a win.
Liverpool at Wembley, Gerrard’s fairytale, a win. In 90 minutes.
I didn’t see either of those coming, but both ? Welcome to dreamland.
There is a positive vibe about the Villa right now (ignoring Oohah), and we need to make the most of the games at home against Everton & West Ham and we can relax and build up to the final.
Burnley should be a canter out for the team in preparation for our biggest game in fifteen years, and I think it will be. There’s something about us, and certainly Tim Sherwood. I wonder how Daniel Levy slept last night ?
Every single player was immense yesterday, we were rock solid and have a never say die attitude. I thought it was all over when they scored, our team didn’t.
Be interesting to see where this will leave Lerner and the ‘sale’. May it spark some interest in Randy, reinvigorate him and splash the cash on Sherwood that he did on MON ?
If not and he’s determined to sell, we’re one hell of a more attractive proposition than we were at 10pm on February after a tame 2-0 surrender after a gutless performance at Hull.
Onwards & upwards, I really thought this season was going to end in disaster. I’m now walking on sunshine !
Speaking of which, enjoy your holiday Badger, and wear those shirts with pride mate.
Did that really happen????
We not only won but won well, better team, better passing and two fantastic goals. Made Pool look very ordinary. As we did against Spurs last week who strolled to a 3-1 victory away yesterday. So were Spurs poor when we beat them or was it down to us?
Has the team finally clicked? I think it has.
Grealish has to start every game now for me and Benteke even scares me never mind the opposition. Delph was fantastic too, his little sidestep to leave him in the clear for the goal was Messi-like. If the midfield plays as they did Sunday then we’ll dominate most games.
Now looking forward to City game and I predict a draw.
Optimistic as f*** at this minute
UTV
Some great comments generally, but come on Ooah, you need to be eating a lot more humble pie than you have done, imo.
Even if we don’t ultimately win the cup, it’s been a great run.
Come on, you can do it mate, even though we all know it might gall you.
That said, if you’re going to post and add one of your many provisos, saying how shit we are overall, don’t bother.
We’re on a roll, Benteke is scoring for fun and we’re staying up, is my opinion.
Try and look at the here and now and sod the rest. Just for now.
Even if we win the cup he will claim it’s not the same as the big teams don’t take it seriously !
To be fair to OohAhh he did put up a very positive post after the game.
He had to be positive because there was absolutely nothing negative to say about yesterday.
Even Richardson, who everyone’s been moaning about, saved our bacon with a goal line clearance.
The best team performance since I don’t know when.
UTV
Thanks Guest at least one person noticed
I did put up a positive post Badger
I know you did mate.
I just like rubbing it in 😉
And as said, you could hardly do any different, after all.
Let’s hope this is the start of something special for our club and not just “papering over the cracks”. I stated earlier in the season that Lambert was the main problem as the team he had were better than how he had them playing. Still want Lerner gone as this team will need major investment in the summer due to the players that most likely will leave.
I woke up this morning, pulled the newspaper from the letter box, turned to the football pages and guess what? Villa still won!
Cheer up Stevie G – if you’ve got nothing planned for your birthday do you want ticket for the final? I first met Gerrard when he was about 12 or 13 touting tickets outside Anfield. “Hey mister – I’ll buy any Spurs” he said “You’re not playing Spurs” I replied “you’re playing Villa”. He screwed up his nose in the way he still does, so I knew it was him.
Wanted to post yesterday when I got to the hotel but I was shaking that much from adrenaline I couldnt even press the on button.
Its fair to say I was there and posted loads of pictures to the site as requested, one other thing I did was sent a tweet to Stevie G saying you can still come and celebrate your birthday at Wembley you just wont be on the pitch you’ll have to watch the mighty Villa from the stands especially as your team lost………
Now before we all get carried away, I see posts saying we fear no team, and also in the same paragraph lets hope TS get some dosh to spend, my question is does he need to spend…..do we have the makings of a good team already……..all these things should be considered before we start getting to big for our boots. do not get me wrong I think we are on the up, and I said two weeks ago we would not lose another game till the end of the season and that would be the Final….
having said all the above I am still extatic over our performance I think we are improving with every game, and I think Tom Fox and the rest of the backroom staff are beginning a new Villa era and we will see vast improvements but over time small steps giant strides (I think thats hat they say…)
Anyway I lave with this VTID
ya good shout VTID, I think we are all just over the moon, with a pretty classy, complete display from Villa against what is top premiership opposition.
feels good to go banana badgers after a season of slog and dourness.
I don’t think we can be accused of getting ahead of ourselves just yet, the proof of that will be how we react to our next setback, hopefully its a long way off and not a costly or fatal one, but it will eventually come. If the reaction then is to pour cold water over the last few months then that is more evidence of ill fitting footwear.
One thing that annoyed me all weekend but quite frequently over the years is the comments section on newspaper articles or match reports of big Villa wins.
400 comments, and about 368 of them between liverpool and Man U fans trading insults about each others clubs … can ye f%^& right off onto a Liverpool vs Man U article or match report, wrecks my head
example
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/19/aston-villa-liverpool-fa-cup-semi-final-match-report?CMP=share_btn_fb
1500 comments, I would guess over half involve Man utd references ??
Know what you mean about the so-called ManUre “fans” everywhere.
I just take comfort from the fact that 90% of them live in the south and have no connections with the Manchester area at all, probably only ever been there once to see the team and never got anywhere near the rest of Manchester. The sort of ‘fans’ who’d be looking for another, guaranteed- success club if Utd were having a second season like the last one under Moyes.
Mind you I still fume at seeing local kids wandering around B’ham city-centre wearing ManUre/Chelsea/Liverpool/Arse shirts…!!
Lovely weather and plenty of small Manure tops on the kids in Farnham Park today. This is Surrey so what do you expect? But you know it’s an odd thing – all the Liverpool shirts seemed to be in the wash.
Do we need to spend? You betcha! Even if we don’t have to replace anyone we need a right winger who can cross and shoot straight. We need a better keeper than Guzan, but have we already got one? And in a long hard season, you have to look at the injury records of all our back line and say we need either more durable defenders or double the number of sick-notes that we have already.
Agree about the defensive crocks; possibly Andrew can tell us whether Villa have managed to put the same back 4 out in more than one succesive game this season?
The improvised defence seems to have ‘worked’ for Sherwood so far, but another injury and these remaining PL games will be much more difficult than they already are…
Whoopy do now that useless twat Vlaar the crock wants to stay. Complete bollocks of an excuse ITD just don’t want well neither should we complete waste of space and guaranteed to miss at least 10 games with injury. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/571673/Aston-Villa-Ron-Vlaar-snub-Manchester-United-FA-Cup-final
Should be shown the door come end of season. I rate him as a decent defender but on the principle of letting his contract run out and his injury record, let him go. Phone must have went quiet recently hence the change of heart.
I think largely had to do with Lambert, much like Benteke being upset at Villa, because of Lambert. Feel I might be in the minority with Vlaar but he’s quality and I’d give everyone the benefit of the doubt for wanting to leave under the past manager. If you had to work harder than any defense in any league because of the style he played, and were pretty unfit (Sherwood claiming the players were unfit when he got there is not surprising whatsoever) which caused a lot of injuries, then I still can give him the benefit of the doubt.
I really don’t want vlaar staying he typifies everything negative about the club. He totally depresses me always injured over winter and plays about 6 decent games a season. That’s about it total waste.
Found this, quite interesting.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-takeover-chinese-consortium-5555974
Seen the news this morning on national TV, tug of war over Jack Grealish from Ireland and England, the FA are monitoring him closely as he is able to play for England, his dad said that he left his England shirt on the chair after the game and has worn it ever since, a bit smelly but don’t care. Good on ya dad.
if he suddenly switches from the roi to play for England i would think he was disloyal . he has played for the republic at under 21, under 18 and under 17s level and even won an award Under-21 International Player of the Year 2015 . and lets be frank if you could switch your allegiance for your country how long till he does the same to us. just saying 🙂
puts on tin hat waiting for the hate lol
No, you’re probably right Domingo.
Ireland have seen him through and he’ll have way more chance of playing for them.
That said, I believe his old man is English, so he’ll be encouraging him to go that way.
Must be a tough choice for the kid, but I wouldn’t hold it against him either way.
Yeah just they are interested in baggies to. Dis t sound good if they are anything like blues owners were fckud.
Very interesting indeed.
I don’t know where they’ve got this from, but it seems quite well informed.
I worry a bit about the chinese, as they can be more ruthless than the americans when it comes to business.
There also very superstitious we can say goodbye to the claret & blue.
That will NOT happen. We’re the most famous claret and blues on the planet. Even Tan at Cardiff is going back to theirr traditional blue strip from next year…
After a lengthy protest.
Hope your right Chinese ownership would be a disaster IMO
I think Chinese ownership would be horrific for us badger even worse than american. Look at Cardiff and blues. I’d honestly rather have Lerner than a consortium consortium are just a load of investors who only care about making money. A bit like Lerner I know but at least learner gave it a go for 3 years
This is the dilemma, Ooah.
Many of us are keen for Lerner to go, myself included, but it’s who’s going to replace him, is the worry.
Fair point Badger it’s my worry as well. We could end up with a Carson young then we really are finished as a club.
Seems Sendoros and Cissokho played for the reserves last night.
The latter especially would be a welcome return.
Just reading the Mirror online and there’s an article that hints that the Villa fan’s faux Latin saying is “Villa, Stella, Balti”.
I like it 🙂
If I can get two tickets for me and me lad around the £90 mark we will both be donning the claret & blue at Wembley we can do it to we can beat Arse.utv
SSN…..FA charge Villa and reading in relation to ‘crowd disturbances’ in the FA Cup….what a bag of bollox. On Sat I saw thousands of Bristol City fans on the pitch. I wonder if this is a campaign to get Liverpool reinstated so that Gerrard can have a good birthay present. I know its a bit cynical but it wouldnt surpreise me…..the FA can do one 🙂
Got to add that the timing of the charge is a little odd as the incident occured about 6 weeks ago…..why the delay? Perhaps the FA were waiting for the semi-final results so that their dream final of Arsenal v Liverpool would be confirmed
Unlikely the media will ever forgive us got beating Liverpool and depriving strive ME lol. They will be desperate for arsenal to win cup they couldn’t stomach a midland team winning it
It’s our year FUCK the cockneys & the bin dippers FUCK the media.UTV