Ten-goal thriller gets Villa to Wembley

January 21, 2010


Aston Villa booked their first Wembley final appearance in a decade after a 6-4 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final here on Wednesday.

Victory at Villa Park saw Martin O’Neill’s men win the tie 7-4 on aggregate and they will now face either Manchester City or Manchester United in the final.

But his pre-match claim that this was the best Villa team their supporters had seen in 20 years looked hollow as a double from Nikola Kalinic put fellow Premier League side Rovers 2-0 up.

But the way in which Villa fought back and then just about held their nerve at the end of this extraordinary match left O’Neill proud of the character his youthful side had shown.

“I’m just really pleased for the team, which I know is a cliched old phrase, but I’m really delighted for them,” O’Neill said.

“They’ve had to fight back, whilst the crowd were obviously getting very anxious and frustrated, and they grew up tonight.”

Meanwhile Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce bemoaned what he said was referee Martin Atkinson’s failure to spot a shove from Gabriel Agbonlahor on captain Ryan Nelsen that allowed Rovers old boy Stephen Warnock to make it 2-1.

“It’s a bit difficult to take, scoring four goals and not getting through to the final,” Allardyce said.

“We were in complete control of the game, and if anybody is going to score to make it 3-0 it’s us.

“But then the referee allows a blatant foul on Ryan Nelsen to go unpunished, and at this level you have to make sure the referee gets those decisions right.

“We are out of a cup final because of that decision perhaps.”

Villa endured a dreadful opening 25 minutes as they squandered the first leg advantage James Milner had given them in a 1-0 win at Ewood Park before the tie swung in their favour with the sending off of Rovers’ Christopher Samba five minutes before half-time.

Milner converted the penalty, which resulted from Samba’s foul in bringing down Agbonlahor, who later diverted in his team-mate’s shot for Villa’s fourth goal of the game.

But Blackburn continued to push Villa all the way, even a man down.

After Kalinic’s double, Stephen Warnock converted at the far post, following Ashley Young’s cross, to put Villa back into the tie and make amends for his earlier error that gave Rovers such an emphatic start.

Warnock was at fault at the far post, failing to challenge Croatia’s Kalinic for David Dunn’s corner under the crossbar and the Rovers striker’s header struck Warnock on the head before beating American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Villa were two down before the half hour mark when Kalinic started the move, which resulted in him tapping home the rebound after Martin Olsson’s header from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross had been half saved by Guzan.

Villa simply could not get to grips with Rovers’ five-man midfield, but that all changed when Samba was shown a straight red card for his trip on Agbonlahor as the pair chased Emile Heskey’s through ball.

Milner beat Paul Robinson from the spot before an own goal from Steven Nzonzi and further goals from Agbonlahor and Heskey left Villa with a seemingly comfortable lead.

At that point they could be forgiven for turning their thoughts to whether they played Manchester United or Manchester City, but at least Rovers demonstrated some character of their own to push Villa close.

Olsson produced a stunning volley from Gael Givet’s cross to reduce the deficit and when Brett Emerton’s volley from the edge of the area forced its way through a crowded penalty area, there were some nervous moments for Villa to endure.

But Ashley Young rounded off the evening with a wonderful solo effort, running from half way to beat Robinson with a curling shot.

BIRMINGHAM (AFP)

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Milner puts Villa in sight of League Cup final

January 15, 2010


James Milner’s goal gave Aston Villa a 1-0 victory at Blackburn in their League Cup semi-final first leg at Ewood Park here on Thursday.

England midfielder Milner scored the only goal of the game half-way through the opening period, finishing off a quick breakaway as Villa took a step closer to a final date against either Manchester City or Manchester United.

Blackburn, whose only victory in the last 12 matches was on penalties in the quarter-finals against Chelsea, were poor throughout.

And even though they managed to hit the post through Nikola Kalinic on two occasions in the second half, Villa are now strong favourites to reach a first final in a decade.

Rovers started on the front foot and David Dunn had a shot on the turn deflected wide by Richard Dunne after just a couple of minutes.

But Villa quickly got themselves on top and from Stewart Downing’s corner, Ryan Nelsen pulled off a desperate block from James Collins’ header.

From yet another corner, Ashley Young cut in from the left and lashed way wide of Paul Robinson’s goal.

Martin O’Neill’s side were still dominating and Gabriel Agbonlahor had a low drive held by Robinson after he was fed by Emile Heskey.

And midway through the first half, they grabbed the lead with a quick counter attack.

Robinson’s long free kick into the Villa area was headed away by Collins.

Milner raced into the Blackburn half and knocked it wide for Downing who guided the ball into the area for Milner to stab in.

Rovers looked to be running out of ideas fast and Brett Emerton’s hopeful drive straight at Stephen Warnock summed up their frustration.

Six minutes before the break, Villa looked like they might add a second – but Agbonlahor was booking for diving.

The England striker cut in from the left and went down under Chris Samba’s challenge in the area. But instead of pointing to the spot, referee Mark Clattenburg showed the him a yellow card.

When Dunn finally managed to thread Kalinic through, the Croatian was denied by Richard Dunne’s sliding challenge.

Villa could have doubled their lead just before the interval but Robinson pulled off a fine block at the near post from Stiliyan Petrov.

A minute after the restart Milner threatened once again with a powerful low strike that was held by Robinson.

And Young rifled straight across Robinson’s six-yard box after a run that beat Rovers substitute Martin Olsson.

Kalinic passed up a great chance to level nine minutes after the restart when he headed against the post from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross.

Dunn also flashed a shot wide after Olsson’s cross from the left caused panic in the Villa defence.

Pascal Chimbonda’s cross picked out Kalinic 15 yards from goal but the Croatian’s effort again came back off the post.

Villa continued to threaten on the break and Young could have killed the tie midway through the second half but failed to make contact with Downing’s whipped cross from the left.

Young was wasteful once again when he was played through by Steve Sidwell only to fire wide of goal.

Rovers manager Sam Allardyce threw on South African star Benni McCarthy with a quarter of an hour to go.

And Australian midfielder Emerton forced a fine save from Bradley Guzan as Blackburn looked for a way back into the game.

It could have been even worse for Blackburn if Robinson had not pulled off an impressive late save from Agbonlahor.

BLACKBURN (AFP)

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Carlton Cole frustrated with his injury

December 21, 2009


Carlton Cole has sounded out his disappointment and frustration at being sidelined with injury. As Cole looks on from the stands, other English strikers, who hope to make it in England’s World Cup squad, have the chance to impress on the pitch.

The West Ham striker is currently battling a knee injury. Cole has been tipped to make Fabio Capello’s squad. However, there will be fierce competition for the 23-man list.

The likes of Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey are almost certain to feature in England’s squad, but Cole, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent and even Michael Owen can only hope to fly to South Africa with the rest of the team.

Cole was in good form for Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers, scoring 7 goals in 13 Premier League games before he suffered his injury.

“It doesn’t feel good to see these guys scoring all the time,” he said in the Daily Star.

“But they’re all top players and it’s what you expect. That’s why I was so disappointed when I got injured because I knew I would be overtaken in the goal rankings.

“I’ve been trying to keep up with the likes of Defoe, Bent, Rooney and others – and to make sure I stayed in the top ten all season.

“I think I was seventh before my injury – so I know I’ve got to work hard to get the problem out the way and come back strong in the second half of the season.

“It’s been my dream to play and score at a World Cup finals since I was little kid. Hopefully, I can keep that dream alive.”

Cole is an integral part of West Ham’s squad and the sooner he returns the better for his struggling team. The Hammers are keen to perform well again in order to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

The English striker wants to come back from injury, focus on his club career, perform well again and earn a place in Capello’s 23-man squad in the process.

“I really want to focus on West Ham,” he added.

“But, if you’re going to be injured in World Cup year, I suppose the earlier in the season it happens, the better it is.”

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Milner pushes Villa up to third

December 16, 2009


A James Milner-inspired Aston Villa followed up their weekend win at Manchester United with a 2-0 win at Sunderland that underlined the credibility of their challenge for a top four finish.

Milner made Villa’s opener for Emile Heskey then found the net from fully 30 yards to enable Villa to leapfrog Arsenal into third place in the table ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Burnley on Wednesday.

Unsurprisingly, Villa boss Martin O’Neill kept faith with the line-up that had secured victory at Old Trafford while his opposite number Steve Bruce restored winger Kieran Richardson to the side at the expense of Fraizer Campbell.

Sunderland started brightly and Villa were fortunate that Andy Reid’s second-minute corner cleared the goalmouth without anyone getting a touch.

Teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson then almost opened the scoring for the home side, snapping a shot inches wide from Darren Bent’s lay-off.

Sunderland were winning the early 50-50 balls, not always legally. Skipper Lorik Cana and George McCartney both picked up yellow cards, with the latter conceding a free-kick for a trip on Emile Heskey that resulted in Stewart Downing hitting the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.

That was a sign of Villa asserting themselves and the visitors took the lead midway through the opening period. A fine ball from Milner released Heskey into the Sunderland box and the England centre-forward beat Martin Fulop with a confident finish.

Sunderland had not generated a single clear chance by that stage and it was not until ten minutes before the break that they did, Kenwyne Jones heading wide after being picked out by a McCartney’s fine cross.

Reid finally got an effort on target with a right-foot volley two minutes later but Brad Friedel blocked with his legs.

Sunderland should have equalised four minutes after the restart, when Bent flicked McCartney’s long ball into the path of Reid, who sliced his attempted finish wide.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure but Villa, as ever, looked dangerous on the break and only the woodwork denied Ashley Young a goal four minutes before O’Neill’s men doubled their lead.

Sunderland lost possession from a throw-in and the ball fell to the outstanding Milner 30 yards out. The winger, operating in central midfield, steadied himself and unleashed a shot that found the top right corner of the net to seal the points for Villa.

Any chance of a late rally by the home side was extinguished with 13 minutes left when Cana was ordered off after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Milner.

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP)

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Milner stars as Villa beat Hull

December 5, 2009


James Milner did his prospects of being included in England’s World Cup squad no harm with a fine all-round display as Aston Villa beat Hull 3-0 in the Premier League here on Saturday.

Milner helped create the opening goal at Villa Park for Richard Dunne and scored the second himself with a delightful lob.

Norway striker John Carew set the seal on Villa’s victory with a penalty two minutes from time.

Hull’s bad day was made worse by the sight of midfielder Jimmy Bullard leaving the field just 18 minutes in with a left knee injury.

The former Fulham playmaker had only returned to action in October after nine months on the sidelines due to an injury to his right knee.

Usually deployed as a winger, Milner, 23, found himself in a central midfield role against Hull.

Villa, fresh from their League Cup quarter-final win over Portsmouth, almost went ahead in the opening minute.

Milner’s chip was headed by Emile Heskey into the path of Luke Young but the advancing full-back shot just past the far post.

But Villa were 1-0 up in the 13th minute through central defender Dunne’s third goal of the season.

Milner’s precise pass found the Republic of Ireland international in space and he beat Hull keeper Matt Duke with a rising shot from 12 yards.

Villa went 2-0 up thanks to a quick-thinking 29th-minute goal.

Duke came out of his area to head the ball out but it went straight to Villa substitute Steve Sidwell on the touchline.

He quickly handed the ball to Ashley Young, whose throw-in found Milner and he cheekily lobbed the ball over the back-pedalling Duke from 20 yards and into the net.

Hull almost pulled a goal back in the 61st minute when Craig Fagan’s shot beat Brad Friedel but hit the angle of post and crossbar.

But that was as close as Hull came and Carew added a third goal for Villa after Duke brought down Ashley Young in the box.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

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Villa prove too much for Pompey

December 2, 2009


Aston Villa booked their place in the semi-finals of this season’s English League Cup with a 4-2 win away to Premier League strugglers Portsmouth at Fratton Park here on Tuesday.

Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov put through his own net in the 10th minute to give Pompey, the top flight’s bottom club, the lead.

But minutes later any joy home fans might have been feeling was curtailed when England striker Emile Heskey equalised for Villa.

And before the half-hour mark Pompey’s Premier League rivals were in front through James Milner.

Stewart Downing, the former Middlesbrough wing, marked his first start for Villa by sealing the Midlands club’s win 16 minutes from time.

Substitute Nwankwo Kanu pulled a goal back for Pompey in the 87th minute but a minute from time Young scored Villa’s fourth.

Portsmouth gave manager Avram Grant, whose first game in charge was last weekend’s 4-1 league defeat by champions Manchester United, something to smile about with an unexpected goal.

Danny Webber’s corner was poorly struck yet Villa captain Petrov managed to slice it into his own net.

But two minutes later Villa were level with Milner’s ball, which evaded the Portsmouth defence, giving Heskey the chance to chip over Asmir Begovic.

England international Milner showed he could finish too when, in the 27th minute, he cut in from the left and left Begovic helpless with a well-struck shot into the far corner.

Grant brought on veteran striker Nwankwo Kanu but in the 74th minute Downing set the seal on Villa’s victory by heading in Ashley Young’s cross.

Kanu found the target from close range before Young shot high into the roof of the net.

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)

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Five-star Defoe ‘on his way to South Africa’

November 23, 2009


Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes Jermain Defoe has made an unanswerable case for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad by becoming only the third player to score five times in a Premier League match.

Defoe’s five-star show came in Tottenham’s 9-1 hammering of Wigan on Sunday and Spurs boss Redknapp believes it will have convinced Fabio Capello to take the striker to South Africa.

Defoe has not started a match for England this year and, with Capello set to take only four forwards to the finals, cannot be sure he will make the squad.

Capello regards Emile Heskey as the best foil for Wayne Rooney — the only automatic choice among the strikers — and Peter Crouch and Darren Bent are in contention with Defoe for the two other places.

Redknapp believes Defoe’s finishing ability should put him at the front of the queue.

“Wayne Rooney’s fantastic – a complete all-round player – but as a finisher, Defoe is the best out there,” the Spurs boss said. “I’m sure he’ll go to the World Cup. Fabio will see the goals he’s scored.”

Defoe knows what it is like to miss out on a World Cup, having been one of the last players to be cut from the England squad for Germany in 2006.

It was partly that experience that prompted him to work on building his upper body strength to make himself a more effective all-round player.

“He’s got stronger this season and is using his upper body strength a bit more and holding people off and Capello will be impressed,” Redknapp added.

“When he concentrates and plays his football, he can be unstoppable.”

Defoe’s five-goal display was the first since Alan Shearer struck five times for Newcastle against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999. Andy Cole, who hit five for Manchester United against Ipswich in 1995, is the only other player to have achieved the feat since the launch of the Premier League in 1992-93.

LONDON (AFP)

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Villa make their point to reach top four

November 22, 2009


Emile Heskey’s 86th-minute equaliser denied Burnley another home win and lifted Aston Villa back into the Premier League’s top four with a 1-1 draw here Saturday.

Burnley skipper Steven Caldwell had headed in Robbie Blake’s free-kick to give his side a 9th-minute lead that looked destined to settle the match until Heskey got on the end of a James Milner cross.

Villa were visiting Burnley for a league clash for the first time since 1936 but it was the home side who appeared more determined to mark the occasion with a win in the early stages.

After some intense pressure, they went ahead when Caldwell got above Richard Dunne to connect with Blake’s fine delivery from wide on the right. Brad Friedel got a hand to the header but was unable to prevent the ball from ending up in the back of the net.

Burnley threatened to add to their score when Andre Bikey sent a dipping shot fractionally over after a neat lay-off by Steven Fletcher, who enhanced his growing reputation with another energetic display.

Bikey headed wide with an even better opportunity from a corner and Burnley were to pay the price of that miss as Villa gradually came into the match.

Burnley’s Danish goalkeeper, Brian Jensen, was almost embarrassed in the run-up to half-time after racing out to the left edge of his penalty area only to miss the ball under pressure from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The Villa striker passed to Ashley Young but he curled his shot over.

Agbonlahor might have equalised early in the second half after Friedel’s long punt was flicked on by John Carew.

The striker had only Jensen to beat but as he shot for the far corner the slightest of touches from the Dane diverted it around the post.

Burnley hit back with Blake forcing Friedel to parry a powerful drive before both sides made changes.

Villa brought on Stewart Downing for what was the England winger’s debut for his new club while Burnley replaced Chris Eagles with Kevin McDonald, who quickly set up Fletcher for a shot that Friedel did well to tip over.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill’s last throw of the dice was to introduce Heskey in place of defender Luke Young and the move paid off with four minutes left.

Milner collected Jensen’s under-strength punched clearance and crossed to the back post for Heskey, who outjumped Caldwell to find the net.

BURNLEY, England (AFP)

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Ebanks-Blake keeps cool to earn a point for Wolves

October 24, 2009


Wolverhampton striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake kept his nerve to score the late penalty that earned a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy’s men looked to be heading for a derby-day disappointment when England forward Gabriel Agbonlahor put Villa ahead with just 11 minutes to play at Molineux.

But Steve Sidwell’s rash challenge on Michael Kightly four minutes later conceded the penalty that allowed Ebanks-Blake to lash home his first Premier League goal.

Despite the point, Wolves remain dangerously close to the relegation zone.

The result was more frustrating for their West Midlands rivals Villa though as Martin O’Neill’s side were on course for the top four when Agbonlahor hit his sixth goal of the season.

Agbonlahor had a glorious chance to put Villa ahead after less than two minutes when he sprinted on Brad Friedel’s long clearance.

Agbonlahor had just Wayne Hennessey to beat but he shot tamely at the Wolves goalkeeper.

The hosts responded well and had a strong penalty appeal turned down by referee Peter Walton when central defender Richard Dunne held back Kevin Doyle as he looked to burst clear.

Wolves defender Christophe Berra was only just off target with a glancing header from Karl Henry’s cross.

Villa were finding it hard to recapture form that saw off Chelsea last weekend.

It took an alert clearance from winger James Milner to rescue Villa when Doyle diverted Kightly’s corner towards goal.

Ebanks-Blake was next to threaten for Wolves as he hooked over from close range from another Kightly centre.

Blake had another chance before the break as Villa’s defence, usually so solid, started to creak. This time the former Manchester United trainee met Kightly’s free-kick with a header than failed to test Fridel.

But Villa’s defence, revamped by O’Neill in recent months, is a tough nut to crack and they gradually snuffed out the danger posed by Doyle and company.

The visitors looked more vibrant as the match wore on and Ashley Young curled a shot wide before Agbonlahor almost turned in a cross at the far post.

Agbonlahor showed his pace as he surged away from Jody Craddock but Hennessey was equal to his shot.

It was a warning that Wolves needed to keep a close eye on Agbonlahor but he escaped their grasp in the 79th minute.

Emile Heskey played a low cross towards Agbonlahor and he turned neatly before planting his shot past Hennessey.

Villa’s celebrations weren’t to last long however as Sidwell carelessly crashed into Kightly in the 83rd minute and Ebanks-Blake drove home the penalty.

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)

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Barry backs Heskey over Villa exit talk

October 13, 2009


Gareth Barry admits Emile Heskey is right to consider leaving Aston Villa to keep his place in the England team ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Heskey is in the unusual position of being an England regular while struggling to get a starting place in Martin O’Neill’s Villa line-up.

The former Liverpool forward revealed after England’s 1-0 defeat against Ukraine on Saturday that he may be forced to look for a move when the transfer window re-opens in January because he can’t afford to lose his spot in Fabio Capello’s team.

England coach Capello has made it clear that ideally players need to be starting regularly for their clubs and Heskey fears that will count against him sooner rather than later.

Barry, who quit Villa for Manchester City in the close-season, said: “The World Cup is in the back of everyone’s mind so I can understand where Emile is coming from. It’s not just Emile, it’s that time of year when you want to be playing regularly.

“He has his place in the England team at the moment and won’t want anything to change that. Playing regularly for your club can help you cement a place in the England squad.

“Emile has struck a great partnership with Wayne Rooney in the qualifying campaign. His work-rate and the way he plays for the team is second to none.

“Wayne and the other attacking midfielders have thrived playing off him. He’s a big part of the England team.”

Barry hopes to regain his place in Capello’s team against Belarus on Wednesday after Manchester United’s Michael Carrick started ahead of him against Ukraine.

“You want to play in every game and when you are left out it increases your hunger to get back in,” he said. “I’ll work hard and try to make the next team.

“Every player knows competition is very high and in World Cup year it goes up another level.”

Meanwhile, Barry fears City’s players could become the game’s new boo-boys as fans, jealous of the club’s spending spree, start to lash out.

“We’ve spoken about it among ourselves at City this season,” Barry said. “People outside of the club may look at us in a different way and it is something the players, including myself, can deal with. It’s important that we don’t let it affect us.

“Anyone would be lying if they said they don’t want a good reception when they go back to their old club. I have a lot of friends in Birmingham so it was something that I was expecting – a mixed reception if you like.

“It was another learning curve and another experience for myself. You can learn from these and still improve.”

WATFORD (AFP)

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