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Premier Division (Round 31 vs Reading–a) / 25.03.06

-VillaXI: Franco, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan, Liguera, Delgado, Baros

G.M once again rests Carvalho giving Liguera another chance. Apart from this the Villa squad is finally injury free and healthy.
After a bad miss from Reading, Villa go and punish some poor Reading defending with Delgado getting the goal. Baros soon after doubles the lead. Reading refuse to lay down however with Lita scoring a good goal for Reading. But Baros pounces on a rebound after a striked free kick getting the two goal advantage back. Reading are still pushing forward and testing Leo Franco frequently but he’s been up to the task.
2nd half although having chances they don’t seem to be clear cut for either side with a lack of urgency being shown from Villa. They do get a 4th though and its Delgado scoring from more poor defending giving him his first Villa hatrick.

Reading 1 – Aston Villa 4[/i]

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Premier Division (Round 32 vs West Ham–a) / 01.04.06

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

It’s a strong Villa side for this game, with no niggles or players needing a rest. With only the cup and league games left, they will be hoping for a strong finish to the campaign. Villa currently lay in 5th but the table is tight and European football is nowhere near guaranteed yet at all.
West Ham have started very well creating a few good early chances but Franco has kept Villa in it for the moment, although he’s taken a slight knock. Ujfalusi however gives a penalty away and the Hammers take the lead via Noble. Ujfalusi concedes yet another penalty and Noble scores again making it 2-0. It seems through Mellberg’s inconsistency and Ujfalusi’s G.M needs to heavily invest in some quality centrebacks.
2nd half and Tevez adds a 3rd and its getting very embarrassing for Aston Villa now. Villa have lost all momentum in their push for Europe and a top 6 place now looks unlikely.

West Ham 3 – Aston Villa 0

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Premier Division (Round 33 vs Watford–h) / 09.04.06

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan Carvalho, Delgado, Baros

Villa really need a win from this game but so do Watford who are 2nd from bottom. Again it’s a strong Villa side hoping to perform a lot better than they did last game, except for Leo Franco who is out for 4 weeks.
An early penalty converted by Baros gives Villa an early advantage and soon after Baros pounces on a defensive error making it 2-0 with seconds. Now its all Villa and Watford look capable of offering little resistance. Chiellini made it 3-0 in the 25th minute and Villa are in 100% control.
2nd half is going much the same way, with Chiellini getting forward again bagging his 2nd of the game from left back. The game ended a comfortable 4-0 win for the Villa with a much better performance today.

Aston Villa 4 – Watford 0

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Premier Division (Round 34 vs Blbackburn–a) / 15.04.06

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan Carvalho, Delgado, Baros

The same 11 start for this game with Blackburn. Villa played poor against this outfit last time so G.M will want to make sure they don’t do a double.
A careless penalty given by Blackburn gave Baros a chance from the spot which he took giving Villa the lead. But Pederson soon equalised making it 1-1. Reid then gave Blackburn the lead scoring an absolute belter A defensive error from Mcevely gave Delgado the chance to equalise and he took it making it 2 a piece in an exciting game.
The score remains 2-2 after an hour with both sides still pushing for the winner but a draw looking likely. This is how it remained finishing 2-2.

Blackburn 2 – Aston Villa 2

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Premier Division (Round 35 vs Wigan–h) / 17.04.06

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan Carvalho, Delgado, Baros

Villa have now slipped into 6th, with Liverpool in 5th and Middlesborough laying in 4th place. So still a lot to play for and Villa really must make home advantage count.
Villa are looking a class above their opponents today, with Carvalho scoring in the 25th minute giving them a 1-0 lead into half-time.
Wigan are trying hard to get themselves back into the game, as they have to being in the relegation zone. But Villa still have an element control of the game. Villa are needing to defend though at the backend of this game, but a classic counter attack sees Baros ending the Wigan fight with the game ending at 2-0.

Aston Villa 2 – Wigan 0

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FA Cup (Semi Final vs Newcastle–n) / 23.04.06

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan Carvalho, Delgado, Baros

A big game for both sides, with the winner advancing into the final. Again Leo Franco misses out for the Villa but the rest are available. Two attacking sides should lead to a classic encounter.
Baros gives Villa the perfect start, hitting Newcastle on the break with the assist from Delgado. But Iaquinta equalises soon after making the tie all that much nervous again. Wasn’t the best piece of goalkeeping from Sorenson. But Baros restores the Villa lead although Emre replies immediately making it 2-2. And Villa score a 3rd goal in the same half with Carvalho scoring from a Farfan cross. Can Villa finally hold onto the lead? But a big blue to Villa right on half-time as Ujfalusi is carried off injured.
A lot of knocks are being taken from the Villa players, but this doesn’t seemed to have phased them, with Carvalho scoring his 2nd of the game with a very well placed finish passed Given making it 4-2. Surely Villa can hold on, and Villa hit Newcastle on the counter again with Delgado calmly scoring passed Given and the game looks safe. Newcastle won’t give in and have scored their 3rd of the game a 30 yard screamer from Scott Parker. But its too little too late for Newcastle and Villa are through to the FA Cup final!

Newcastle 3 – Aston Villa 5

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Premier Division (Round 36 vs Tottenham–a) / 26.04.06

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan, Liguera, Delgado, Angel

Villa have a couple of injuries for this game after their tough encounter with Newcastle in the FA Cup semi’s. Baros and Carvalho two key players are missing, so Angel and Liguera start against Tottenham. But Europe is still up for place and it’s a game Villa really must get something from.
Spurs are putting the Villa under some early pressure with Berbatov who caused them problems last time hitting the crossbar. But Villa have survived the early onslaught and looked to have settled. Angel puts Villa infront with a headed goal, but Davids replies instantly from 30 yards making it 1-1. Villa retake the lead with a fantastic individual effort from Farfan cutting inside and placing a shot into the bottom corner Christiano Ronaldo style.
Tottenham started the 2nd half brightly but were hit on the counter attack a good finish from Liguera, showing he’s a good backup who is willing to fight for a first team place. But a penalty conceded gave Murphy a chance to score from the spot which he did, making it a nervous last 15 minutes. But a weakened Villa held on to claim a very important away victory. Pedretti put in a first class performance and is starting to show his quality.

Tottenham 2 – Aston Villa 3

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Premier Division (Round 37 vs Fulham–h) / 29.04.06

-VillaXI: Sorenson, Zebina , Chiellini,, Mellberg, Ujfalusi, Pedretti, Camoranesi, Farfan, Liguera, Delgado, Angel

If Villa can win their remaining two games they have a slight chance for hitting 4th spot. But if they do, they’ll have to do it without Carvalho and Baros for this game against Fulham.
First chance of the game goes to Fulham with a free kick well saved from Sorenson. But Villa are quick to settle creating some good chances but still can’t score past Niemi. But a blow to Villa as Delgado is taken off injured so Park Young comes in to replace. A set piece chance and a set piece goal, scrappy but Liguera won’t mind scoring his 2nd for the Villa. Fulham seem a bit shocked and Angel finishes clinically doubling their advantage. So far so good for the Villa.
The 2nd half is very quiet, with both sides not really creating anything significant, with many shots coming from outside the area. Game ended a comfortable 2-0 win for Villa who have their last game left away to Man City. Delgado's season will be over with the news he is out for 2 months so cup final heartbreak for him.

Aston Villa 2 – Fulham 0

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Premier Division (Round 38 vs Man City–a) / 07.05.06

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


Villa have Carvalho and Baros back for the final game of the season. And with the way the results have gone, all Villa fans can afford to relax as Liverpool slipped up in their last game. Villa are in clear 4th and have qualified for the Champions League Qualifiers, so all focus will be on the cup final after this game against West Ham.
But this hasn’t stopped Villa from trying to claim a win against the city. A goal within 5 minutes by Baros gives them the lead after some good work from Camoranesi and Angel. But Joey Barton scores a very good goal outside the box equalising for city.
City were the better side in the first half, and have started the 2nd better with Sorenson numerous times keeping City out. Another special from City by Hamann this time gives them the lead. Not the best preparation before a cup final for Villa this. But with top 4 secure its been a very good season for G.M and his squad.

Man City 2 – Aston Villa 1

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*FA Cup* ( Final vs West Ham–n) / 13.05.06

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

A huge day for both sides, both not winning a major competition for a long while. In G.M’s first season in charge he has lived up to his promises, but he would never have considered the possibility of winning something this year. Leo Franco is back, but only takes a place on the bench as he still isn’t match fit. Delgado also misses out but otherwise it’s a strong Villa side to take the field. Can G.M take Villa to the cup and make an already great season a fantastic one?
West Ham have started up very cautiously, but the nerves are there all to see. A goalkeeping error gifts Baros a goal and Villa the lead from a poor back pass. West Ham will need to attack now to get things back on level terms. Villa almost went 2-0 up but Baros then had a goal ruled for offside, but control is all with Villa going into the half-time break 1 up.
2nd half kicks off with Villa still bossing the game in the middle. West Ham almost equalise with a spectacular effort from Reo-Coker which came off the post. But this seems to have woke Villa up who are back in control and Carvalho scores giving Villa a 2 goal advantage. They can only throw this game away now. The quality of Villa are continue to make West Ham look very average indeed, who are without Mascherano and Tevez for this game both unavailable. Their reliance on the pair has shown, with Villa scoring a 3rd right at the end through a great cross to Farfan who put the ball in the back of the net taking Villa to an FA Cup win for the year 2006! Their last victory was in 1957.

Aston Villa 3 – West Ham 0