retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 8 vs Arsenal–h) / 01.10.05

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Bouma, McCann, Agathe, Berger, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

The crisis remains at Villa Park, with the same side who lost to Bolton having to play this one. Its unlikely Villa will get anything from this tie with the Arsenal.
As expected Arsenal are bossing the game and take the lead through a Van Persie lob in the 20th minute. It stays like this till half-time, with Villa not threatening at all.
Nothing to shout about in the 2nd half at all, no real clear cut chances and Arsenal remained in control for the remainder of the half, giving them a comfortable 1-0 win.

Aston Villa 0 – Arsenal 1

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 9 vs Chelsea–a) / 15.10.05

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

A few players have returned, with Ujfalusi Camoranesi and Farfan taking their spots. But a huge task away to Chelsea, it will take a huge effort and a bit of luck to take anything from this game.
More typical unfortune has hit Villa. With Angel taking a knock and be being subbed by Park Young, 2 minutes later… Park Young gets injured and has to come off. So Liguera is now forced to play up front alongside Baros. But this perhaps has unsettled Chelsea, as you can never underestimate a lesser side and soon after the double blow, Baros gives Villa the lead at Stamford Bridge slotting it past Cech. Its 1-0 to the claret n blue at half time.
Chelsea have come out all guns blazing putting Villa under some severe pressure but they can’t seem to keep their composure in front of goal until Essien scores a belter in the 70th minute making the scores all tied. Straight from kick off Chelsea scored a 2nd, some poor defensive play from Villa gifted it. And then again from the next kick off Chelsea scored a 3rd. A double for Drogba has punished a poor Villa, who have now dropped down to 5th.? Man Utd are up next.

Chelsea 3 – Aston Villa 1

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 10 vs Man Utd–h) / 22.10.05

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

No more players to return, so the same side plays United. The first half has started well especially with the poor form of late. Both teams have had some chances, Man Utd perhaps having the better but all have been failed to be taken leaving the score 0-0 at half-time.
Villa have started again well, looking fluid in their play but a fantastic save from Van Der Sar kept the scores even. A tight affair has ended 0-0 a scoreline the Villa will take after their recent form, but this makes it now 4 games without a win.

Aston Villa 0 – Man Utd 0

retired_chjiazin

Carling Cup (Round 3 vs Everton–h) / 26.10.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

Same side starts this 3rd round tie. Another dour game at Villa Park with neither side really controlling the game. Chances were very few with the scores being tied at 0-0 at half-time.
But Everton in the second half started the brighter, and took the lead through Van Der Meyde. Villa are clearly missing someone to dominate the midfield at the moment as McCann doesn’t seem to cut the standard. This made it another defeat so Villa’s Carling Cup run is over. But could Villa get revenge soon, as Everton visit Villa Park in the next league match.

Everton 1 – Aston Villa 0

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 11 vs Everton–h) / 22.10.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

Well its clear to see even the season hasn’t really fully got into groove yet, injuries have ruined it for Villa. It will be hard to have a successful season with the problems they have had. Franco is finally fit to reclaim his place back in goal however, so now most of the team are back available apart from Maldonado and Delgado.
Everton carried on their good performance last week starting the better at Goodison, but Villa scored through a break away in the 20th. 5 mins later Angel this time has scored on a counter making it 2-0 to Villa. Seems a much better performance thus far and G.M is thinking the bad run may finally end.
2nd half has started with the Villa backline looking a lot more organised and composed this match. The whole team are performing solidly, however yet another injury this time to Camoranesi threatens the good work done in this game. Everton are starting to pile on the pressure but Franco is living up to the standard producing some fine saves. Finally a victory for Villa ending this poor run of form. Leo takes the man of the match award home with him, very well deserved too.

Everton 0 – Aston Villa 2

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 12 vs Reading–h) / 5.11.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

Not a foregone conclusion this game, but Villa will be hoping to continue getting back on form after their success last week.
Reading had started the better until a fluent move from the back by Villa gave Farfan the chance to place a good cross into Baros who finished well. Villa are looking more dangerous and Reading are now down to 10 men after Baros was through one on one.
Villa continue to search for that 2nd goal but have an Angel goal disallowed for offside. He does win a penalty minutes later for Baros to convert making it 2-0 with 15 minutes on the clock left. Zebina makes a foolish mistake and then gets a needless redcard for the offense. Reading claw one back leaving a few nervous minutes left. But any doubts were put to bed after a sensational Carvalho striker in the 90th giving Villa another win.

Aston Villa 2 – Reading 1

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 13 vs West Ham–h) / 19.11.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Hughes, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

With Zebina suspended Aaron Hughes deputised for him in this game.
It was a poor start for the Villa conceding a soft goal to West Ham through a lack of concentration at the back. But a quick chance to equalise from the spot was taken by Milan Baros making it 1-1. It’s a very tight affair at Villa Park and West Ham really should be winning, manufacturing the greater opportunities.
A mistake from McCann early in the 2nd stanza almost cost Villa but fortunately Franco made up for his error. The game has a draw written all over it, but Dean Ashton missed a glorious chance to give West Ham the victory, as did Angel later on in the 90th. Game ended 1-1, Villa fortunate to escape with a point many felt.

Aston Villa 1 – West Ham 1

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 14 vs Watford–a) / 26.11.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Angel, Baros

A tough game away to Watford scrapping for survival this year, but the return of Zebina would help.
Villa started solidly looking the better side in the first 20. Then Villa took the lead after 25 minutes with a cool finish from Angel one on one with the keeper. Carvalho then doubles the advantage on 40 with continuing with his good form this year, and it looks like Villa now have this game under full control.
A fantastic team goal at the start of the 2nd half from a Zebina cross to Baros makes it 3-0. Watford never got a hold on the game and Villa put in a very good controlled performance. It looks to have put Villa in a very good position for top 6 this year.

Watford 0 – Aston Villa 3

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 15 vs Blackburn–h) / 04.12.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Delgado, Baros

Delgado finally looks ready to make an appearance for the Villa. Angel is moved to the bench for this game.
Villa have looked the better side creating more opportunities but can’t seem to find the finish until Delgado right on half time pounced upon a Friedel error in the Blackburn goal giving them a slender lead at the break.
Blackburn have started the 2nd half well looking for that equaliser and they got it through Savage with a free kick on 65. Straight after they move in front from a McCarthy finish and Villa are looking like they are going to lose this one lacking in both fluency and penetration. But Baros has spared their blushes converting a penalty to tie up the game on 80. Game finished 2-2.

Aston Villa 2 – Blackburn 2

retired_chjiazin

Premier Division (Round 16 vs Wigan–a) / 10.12.05

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina, Chiellini, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, McCann, Camoranesi, Farfan, Carvalho, Delgado, Baros

It looks like Villa might be able to start playing a stable side now, with only Maldonado missing from the first-team line up.
Villa are making the early running in this match, but Zebina gives a penalty away and Wigan take the lead. They hold this till half time in a fairly quiet half.
Start of the 2nd half getting an equaliser through Delgado after starting with good intent. Since then the game went quiet again with both defenses clearly on top for the most. Villa have scored another draw in this one, with the game ending at 1 a piece.

Wigan 1 – Aston Villa 1