April 2008 Archives

NOT since the Duke of Wellington was trampling over Napoleon on the battlefields of Waterloo has Europe been fought over so vociferously by two battle-hardened generals.

But by the end of 90 minutes it was still anyone's call as to whether Martin O'Neill or David Moyes would be leading their side into the UEFA Cup next season.

You could argue that Everton - still three points clear but having to travel to Arsenal this weekend - hold marginally the upper hand.

But Villa could whittle their lead away with victory over Steve Bruce's Wigan on Saturday to set up an almighty final-day tussle at West Ham with the Toffees facing in-form Newcastle.

VERA Lynn was not known for her visits to Villa Park but her songs live on.

"We'll meet again some sunny day, don't know where, don't know when....but I know we'll meet again some sunny day",taunted 13,500 Holte Enders towards the shivering and suffering Blues supporters who decided to see out the misery at 3-0.

They did not, on this occasion, respond with a rendition of Gracie Field's: "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye", but on this evidence there is every chance it they might as well have done.

It could be some time before these two old foes square up again.

AFTER every goal Nigel Reo Coker would trot to the touch-line to be handed a drinks container from which he would take a measured sip.

By the end of normal time one can only assume he must have been bursting to go to the toilet.

It was Villa's biggest away win in the top flight since Joe Bache scored a hat-trick as they put six past Manchester United at Old Trafford in March 1914, an incredible 94 years ago.

It was so embarrassingly one-sided that when Marlon Harewood rolled in the sixth and celebrated in front of the away fans, at first nobody bothered to join him, before Gabby Agbonlahor took pity and sauntered over to offer some congratulations.

WATCHING Villa in recent weeks has been a bit like a trip to Heathrow's Terminal 5 - long periods of frustration with little prospect of reaching Europe.

So what better time to face doomed Bolton?

True, Villa were more like the side who briefly threatened to gatecrash next season's Champions League, but they were certainly helped by a largely spiritless display from Gary Megson's strugglers.

Skipper Gareth Barry led from the front, capping an outstanding display with two well-taken goals. Gabby Agbonlahor ended his three-month goal drought and Marlon Harewood lived up to his 'supersub' tag by scoring his first Villa Park goal for Martin O'Neill's men.

Perhaps just as crucial, Villa kept a first clean sheet since November to force their way back into the race for Europe.

They now go into the final five games of the season still chasing a UEFA or InterToto Cup spot.