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.

 

 

 

 

aston villa 1 v 6 manchester city

It's difficult to say much about the football.

Sheik Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan has invested well over £1.3 billion in Manchester City since he took over ownership in 2018. Undoubtedly, his funding has helped create one of the most gifted football teams in history and Sergio Aguero's hat-trick on Sunday is richly deserved. However, with that level of financial clout it hardly seems a level-playing field.

For me the real story of the game is not the football but my son's reaction to a complete evisceration of his beloved Villa. I'm so proud of the young man.

Ben is learning disabled. He's nearly thirty four but with a mental age probably around five or six. Come half-time we're four goals down with the Villa goal serving as little more than target practice for a rampant City. I see Ben's shoulders begin to shake and tears of frustration start to form in his eyes as we make our way up the steps to the concourse.

A bottle of Zero coke and a generous portion of chips later he's beginning to calm down. 'Time to go, do you think, Ben?' He nods. 'Yes, dad'. He could have chosen to cry and bawl but no - he's putting on his brave face. We'll be back again at Villa Park soon and he'll be cheering with the best. My son, my hero.