aston villa 2 v everton 1

 

 

 

 

The first home game of the season and it's a blisteringly hot day. Our match up against Everton pits two pointless teams against each other. 

 

A Villa victory is secured by two great goals, the first by Danny Ing who takes a touch and unleashes a blistering shot, the second by Emi Buendia following a surging run and a one-two with Ollie Watkins.

 

It's tight at the end though as Lucas Digne concedes an own-goal and Villa fans sit on their hands for what seems an eternity of added time.

 

 

 

aston villa 2 v 0 norwich city

 

I love everything Norwich City F.C. stand for. They have fantastic owners who care deeply about the club. Not as an investment or a brand, but as true supporters. Their home ground is great and their fans amazing. Despite the ups and downs of their team they continue to follow them throughout the years.

 

All this stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the Premiership where money  rules.

 

So whilst it's pleasing to watch the Villa return to winning ways courtesy of goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings it's sad to see Norwich consigned to yet another relegation. I hope they're back soon. The Premiership needs clubs like Norwich to remind us what football is about.

 

 

 

 

football stands together

 

 

Football stands together. We can scarcely imagine the horrors taking place daily in Ukraine but we can show our support, united in a minutes' applause before the game begins. A special mention for the fans of Southampton, a great club with a talented team and a super manager. They raise their scarves high, a fantastic salute in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

 

Football, true football, has always been about support. I speak to the lovely Irish couple who sit in the row behind. I haven't seen them for two months or more, their seats remaining empty since December. There is a reason.

 

Eyes brimming, they explain their daughter died totally unexpectedly two days after Christmas. She was aged just fifty seven. Today is a brave step for them towards something just a fraction more normal. They repeat their story time and again as fellow fans all around ask after them. Each time there is a touch, a hug. We support them too.

 

After all this it's difficult to say much about the football, other than to note Villa deliver an emphatic victory whilst Southampton have a 'bad day at the office'.

 

 

 

This post is dedicated to the people of Ukraine and in memory of Finola.