I hate penalty shoot-outs when we’re involved. Hate them even more than when England are involved.

After Saturday’s no-show, what we needed, and quickly, was a chance to exorcise the ghosts of Birmingham. Along came Villa, and there was no Bent or Bardsley through injury, which maybe shows that there was more fight at Brum than we supposed. As it was our Ian’s birthday, the present was easily sorted in the form of a ticket, and we negotiated the lengthy queues outside the East stand and nipped in the North stand and found most of the seats around me had been allocated to the person who normally sits next door. No problem, and no Ferdinand or Malbranque either.

Gordon
Da Silva Noz Turner McCartney
Campbell Hendo Cana Richo Murphy
Lonesome Jones

Yes, the return of the 4-5-1, although there as always the option to move Campbell or Murphy up to support Jones. Perhaps Brucie is trying that one out with a view to playing it away from home to prevent defeats. Maybe.

We kicked south towards a large Villa turnout, who’d seemingly spent the money they’d saved on bus fare, thanks to the generosity of their powers that be, on beer. Noz reminded us of what we’d been missing this season with a step over just outside our box, then a minute later they broke down their right and Heskey poked a close-range effort just past the post. After quarter of an hour, Henderson almost repeated his heroics of the last round with a similar shot, but this time too close to the keeper. The five man midfield was certainly on top of Villa in the centre of the park, and we created several chances. Like Kraft cheese, we made nice triangles and almost opened up Villa on several occasions. McCartney didn’t anticipate Murphy’s nice through ball down the left, but whenever Villa came forward, there was strength in the centre and guile at right back. Henderson sent in a grass-cutter that was only a foot wide, then Campbell’s cross was taken off Kenwyne’s head before what looked like a foul on Hendo as he tried to work a shot in the box. Richardson fired a free-kick well over, then went closer from Cana’s dead ball as the break approached. Right on 45, Hendo fired in a volley that brought the save of the game, and our six shot sot their one just about summed it up.

No changes at the break, and Jones won an early corner from which they nearly had us on the break, then after they tried the right wing again it was our turn to break, with Jones laying it back to Hendo and the curled effort being a foot the wrong side of the angle. While we continued where we’d left off, Villa were pressing a bit more, but it was us who produced more good football. McCartney got in a cross and Jones once more had the ball knocked away from his head. Reid replaced Murphy with eighteen to go and quickly began knocking the ball about in the manner to which we’ve become accustomed. Agbonlahor, who had escaped unscathed when he went flat on his arse in the first half after being caught offside, drew a fine save from Gordon. Ferdinand replaced McCartney, presumably injured, and Carew replaced Heskey, prompting Villa to start slinging crosses in at every opportunity. With seven minutes to go, Reid’s cross hit both hands of Cuellar in the corner of the box, and the ref blew. With Bent sitting a few feet behind me in the boxes, Jones took the responsibility with Richo and Reid itching to have a go. The shot was low to the keeper’s left, but so was the keeper, and it was saved. Bugger. A goal would have been no more than we deserved, and we almost got there after Noz broke down the right, and when Reid’s cross came in, Jones was his header saved.

Extra time. Steed replaced Campbell five minutes in and stayed wide on the right as we continued to create chances, with Richo firing wide on the turn. We ended the first period on the attack with a free-kick and a corner, but still no goals. More followed in the second fifteen, and it looked to be all over when Richardson and Steed broke from halfway and found themselves two on one against the keeper, but Richo opted for the glory option rather than roll the ball to his right. A second crucial save from the Villa keeper, and two minutes later it was all over bar the penalties.

Did I say that I hate shoot-outs? With their keeper already warmed up, he saved Reid’s kick, then Carew nearly broke the net with his. Cana’s effort was saved, and Sidwell scored his. Steed put away his shot and Gordon dived to his right to keep out Agbonlahor. Henderson’s penalty was saved, and Young managed to complete his run-up without flinging himself to the ground or trying to get an opponent booked – and beat Gordon with a shot into the corner.

I hate penalty shoot-outs.

There was a game we should have had wrapped up. A penalty near the end of normal time, and a great chance with two to go in extra time. Lots of good football from what could be described as a bit of an experimental line-up, and several good performances.

Man of the Match? Turner and Noz gave precious little away, and Da Silva was calmness personified, contrasting with McCartney who still looked a bit off colour. Cana was his usual enforcing self, while Campbell was always busy down the right. Murphy struggled to make an impact, and Richo too often chose the wrong option at the crucial moment. Jones was up against it with Collins and Dunne, but for me young Henderson was the pick of the positives. On a slightly luckier day, he’d have had a hat-trick. Nice one, Jordan.

Turner and Noz gave precious little away, and Da Silva was calmness personified, contrasting with McCartney who still looked a bit off colour. Cana was his usual enforcing self, while Campbell was always busy down the right. Murphy struggled to make an impact, and Richo too often chose the wrong option at the crucial moment. Jones was up against it with Collins and Dunne, but for me young Henderson was the pick of the positives. On a slightly luckier day, he’d have had a hat-trick. Nice one, Jordan.

Keep the faith

Sobs' Book click here...