Villa half-term report

[andy villa]

Originally Posted by By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

GRADE: C+

KINGS of the Midlands by a distance. But in a sea of regional mediocrity their jewels glisten more like shiny shards of glass on a beach than true diamonds.

They've had more injuries to contend with than a prime-time hospital soap drama. But, even so, Villa have at times played like extras from Holby City.

With memories of the Doncaster debacle still itching away at supporters' membranes, there came yet more doom and gloom following a tame home surrender against Manchester United that was drab and lifeless.


And then, quite unexpectedly came change. And out of darkness cameth light.

Everton were battered into submission, the trip to Fulham saw a six-goal thriller as exciting as anything you'll see.

Arsenal arrived at Villa Park protecting a seven- year unbeaten record but were passed and tackled off the park, and then the Baggies - perhaps courtesy of a rare refereeing decision to go Villa's way - were sent packing on their own patch.

Eight points out of 12 was a festive offering fit for kings. To be fair to Villa their results, and to an extent their performances well before then, had given hope of an upturn even before Father Christmas arrived carrying goodies.

And now, all of a sudden, players and supporters are starting to talk about closing the gap on the top six or seven rather than looking downwards.

Indeed, when the FA Cup draw paired Hull with Villa before this impressive run of one defeat in nine had really taken shape, the BBC - who will televise the third-round clash live - and to be fair, most other observers, believed that here was another scalp there for the taking.

But how many punters would wager Villa suffering another Doncaster, Sheffield United or a Burnley now?

Villa, of course, aren't now world-beaters all of a sudden.

They lie somewhere between the depths of Belle Vue and the highs of St Andrew's or The Hawthorns.

Six home league wins in 2005 is hardly the stuff of dreams - and two of those came in the opening fortnight.

O'Leary's team have delivered a mixed bag of performances in the Premiership. Even before the Christmas crackers there had been good: that delicious first Premiership win over Blues at St Andrew's; the first win of the campaign over Blackburn; a scintillating display against Tottenham.

There were back-to-back wins for a first time in 12 months over a hapless Sunderland and a free-falling Charlton, and there was also performances of real grit at Newcastle and Bolton.

Then in the Cup there was an incredible, amazing, breathtaking second- half at Wycombe that saw them net seven times.

But there was also indifference against the Middlesbroughs and Wigans.

And there was also plenty of bad - the defeats at West Ham and Manchester City.



As for the players, Steven Davis has been truly superb but hopes are now high because Olof Mellberg, Thomas Sorensen, Gareth Barry and Gavin McCann all appear to be bang in form.

As too appears Milan Baros, despite that miss against Arsenal.

The return of Kevin Phillips, Wilfred Bouma and Patrik Berger will no doubt help raise expectations.

If only Juan Pablo Angel could turn back the clock.

BEST PERFORMANCE - The sparkling goalless draw with Arsenal at Villa Park on New Year's Eve.

WORST PERFORMANCE - No question. Doncaster away in the Carling Cup in November. Gutless.

STAR PLAYER - Steven Davis by a country mile. A major relief when he signed his new deal.

pretty accurate...