community matters - the butchers

Great family butchers don't just look after their meat - they look after their customers too. Russell's is a perfect example.

Last week, Lee and Ray very kindly allowed me behind the counter to take some photos while they butchered two pigs. I also had the opportunity to speak to some of their customers, many of whom had been buying their meat at Russell's for several decades. 

It's clear why they do - Russell's is very much part of the community.

 

yours is no disgrace

And so to the game ...

Villa start brightly, putting Manchester City on the back foot and creating a half-chance for Anwar El Ghazi. But before long the pattern of play is established with City pressing forward relentlessly. Their opening goal comes from the boot of Sergio Aguero and a few minutes later Rodri doubles the score with a fine header.

Despite these setbacks Villa refuse to buckle. An equally fine header from new striker, Mbwana Samatta cuts the lead to one as the teams go in at half-time.

The second half sees constant pressure from City. Villa have little in the way of possession. On the rare occasions they do get the ball City's relentless harrying forces them either to go long or lose possession. Unbelievably, though, they do have one last opportunity to level the scores and take the game to extra-time. Bjorn Engels delivers an excellent header only to see it deflected onto the cross-bar by an even finer save by City's Claudio Bravo.

Villa fans remain resolute, cheering the team as the players fall to the ground when the final whistle blows.  There's no disgrace here. We've held City to just two goals, scored a fine one ourselves through Samatta and out-sung their fans throughout the game.

Here's hoping we can continue in good form for the remainder of the season.  Our survival in the Premiership depends on it.

 

 

 

 

Wembley ... again!

So we're back at Wembley once more, this time for the Carabao Cup Final.

Our opponents, Manchester City, are second in the Premiership. They've won the Cup for the last two seasons and now look to make it three in a row. Having spent approximately thirty times more than Villa on their squad of elite footballers they're runaway favourites. Realistically, all we can hope is to make the score-line more respectable than the six-one thrashing inflicted on us at Villa Park last time the two teams met.

Undaunted we soak up that special Wembley atmosphere. We've come for the day and we're going to enjoy it!