aston villa 1 v 0 southampton

Not our finest moment, it has to be said, but a scrambled goal by Jacob Ramsay is enough to claim the win against a lack-lustre Southampton. Only our second victory of the current campaign.

 

 

 

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.