aston villa 1 v 0 millwall

So how did that happen?!!!

Mid-March sees Villa languishing in the lower half of the table with the prospect of a return to the Premiership little more than an idle pipe-dream for next season. And then a string of consecutive victories, ten in all - a club record.  This amazing run sees us climb to fifth place in the Championship and secure a play-off spot.

Villa's tenth victory is secured against a well-organised Millwall and comes courtesy of a goal from Jonathan Kodjia.

So the season's not over yet!!!

darling buds

Anglesey Abbey (which, curiously, is nowhere near Anglesey) is bathed in sunshine. The glade of silver birches is stunning, rising above a burgundy carpet of ground cover.

Elsewhere the dogwoods have been cut back, promoting new growth that in due course will lighten the winter gloom. The mild winter just passed has left a dusting of old leaves on the oak trees, jostling for the light in competition with unfurling spring buds.

How marvelous to be here among nature's beauty.