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Deleted Account #151676
#60828 What Becks did next...
Thanks mate.
I shouldn't think so, I have a Premiership standard squad in the Championship with good strength in depth so I don't think the extra games should be much of an issue really. There is no replays in the semi's or the final so after this game with Chelsea there is only two games left in the cup. (if we get to the final of course)
#60827 What Becks did next...
26/03/2014
FA Cup Semi-Final Draw
The draw for the final four of the 2013/14 FA Cup with Budweiser has been made.
Arsenal could face Manchester United at the Emirates should United overcome Ipswich in their replay at Portman Road next week after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford by the Tractor Boys.
Arsenal manager Arsne Wenger will be determined to claim one last peice of silverware before he retires at the end of the season, and one final triumph over Sir Alex Ferguson would make it all the more memorable for the Frenchman who has feuded with the irrepressible Scot for fifthteen years now.
The other tie will consist of either Aston Villa or Chelsea taking on West Bromwich Albion as the Midlands drools over a the prospect of a Villa-WBA derby at Wembley, providing Villa can dump Rafa Benitez's side out at Villa Park next week.
#60822 What Becks did next...
22th March 2014
nPower Championship
Craven Cottage , London (16,730)
Sibling rivalry: Brothers Craig and Gary Gardner went head to head this afternoon.
When preparing for a big FA Cup replay with Chelsea, there are few better warm up exercises than beating the Blues's next door neighbours on their own patch.
Yet that is exactly what Aston Villa did this afternoon as they produced a fine display of counter attacking football, played at a blistering pace which Fulham simply couldn't cope with.
David Beckham's named an unchanged side from Saturday's draw with Chelsea, his decision not to disrupt the team paid off mid way through the first half when a intricate team move was capped by a ferocious strike from Danish midfielder Martin Spelmann, Spelmann was laid off by Darren Bent to shoot from 25 yards following a wonderful, flowing exchange involving Bent, Charles N'Zogia and Jordan Graham which was executed at such speed the Cottagers failed to notice 27 year old Spelmann lurking just outside their box until it was too late.
Goal number two game in the 36th minute when Villa again broke away at break neck speed, Spelmann dispossessing Mahamadou Diarra midway inside the Villa half before Villa's forwards again quickly worked their way up the field and through the Fulham defence, N'Zogbia sliding a low cross in for Bent who extended his scoring run to seven games with a tap in from three yards.
Fulham were once again undone by Villa's quick thinking in the 40th minute, Matthew Briggs's long ball was cut out by Danny Simpson who promptly pumped the ball forward for Christian Benteke to run clear of the Defence and score his first goal in a month by sliding the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper to all but seal the points before half time for Villa.
The second half failed to continue the excitement as Villa sat back and soaked up what little pressure Fulham could muster, David Beckham did however create an unusual situation in the 75th minute when he brought on Gary Gardner, the 21 year old's task was to mark his older brother Craig, himself a former Villa player who left the club to join hated rivals Birmingham City in 2010.
Fulham did manage to pull a goal back in the 80th minute when Hugo Rodallega's speculative drive found it's way past Brad Guzan, the American looked as if he had the shot covered but seemed to punch it into his own net. Nevertheless Villa were still in complete control and didn't look in any danger of losing their grip on the game as they move back up to fourth, five points behind the automatic promotion places with six games remaining. Next up for Beckham's side is a West Vs. East Midlands clash with Derby at Villa Park before the big FA cup replay with Chelsea.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
21.Jordan Graham (Sub 66) - 15.Graham Dorrans (Sub 75) - 25.Martin Spelmann - 10.Charles N'Zogbia
20.Christian Benteke - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 11.Nestor Calderon (On 66) 38.Gary Gardner (On 75)
#60813 The Lower League Thread
#60811 What Becks did next...
22nd March 2014
FA Cup Quarter Final
Stamford Bridge, London (43,000)
Darren Bent puts Villa ahead
David Beckham's Aston Villa came close to a major upset at Stamford Bridge today as the Blues came within 15 minutes of elimination from the FA Cup following a tenacious performance from their Championship opponents.
Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez chose to field a number of fringe players in lew of more established names to try and keep his stars fresh as his side look to mount an assault for a Champions League place next season.
Villa looked to take full advantage of their weakened opposition and did just that when they got their reward for a dogged start to the game, Graham Dorrens heading a ball out of the Blues defence forward to Darren Bent who controlled beautifully before dummying former Villain Gary Cahill and hooking the ball around Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal, Bent has now scored in six consecutive games for Villa.
The striker went close to putting Villa two up on the stroke of half time when Christian Benteke, returning to the Villa line up after a month away, chested the ball down before playing Bent through on goal where he was this time denied by a good stop by Cech.
Beckham's side attempted to shut up shop in the second half as they looked to ease into the semi finals, they were however to be denied in the 75th minute when former Wigan man Victor Moses found himself free in the Villa area following a mistake from young full back Enda Stevens, Moses thundered his shot beyond the despairing dive of Brad Guzan at the near post to even the scores and provide some much needed excitement in an otherwise dreary second half. Villa played out the remainder of the game in a slow and methodical manner, obviously content to take this tie back to Villa park for the replay in a weeks time, Benitez however can count himself lucky to still have his side in the competition following his untested team selection.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
21.Jordan Graham 9Sub 82) - 15.Graham Dorrans - 25.Martin Spelmann - 10.Charles N'Zogbia
20.Christian Benteke (Sub 89) - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 11.Nestor Calderon (On 82) 14.Nathan Delfouneso (On 89)
#60809 What Becks did next...
Friday 25th March 2014
DUO GEAR UP FOR LAST EIGHT
Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion are today preparing for the FA cup quarter final clashes with Chelsea and Millwall respectively.
The duo could yet face each other in an West Midlands derby match at Wembley stadium in either the semis or even the final itself should they both make it through tomorrow.
David Beckham's Villa head to Stamford Bridge on the back of a 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers last week, they will however be encouraged by the news that Christian Benteke is fit to start following a month on the sidelines after he twisted his ankle in Villa's 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the previous round.
Albion manager Tony Mowbray has a full selection of players to choose from after drawing 1-1 with Swansea in the fifth round and will be desperate to lead Albion to their first cup final since 1968 when they beat Everton for the most recent of their five FA cup wins, Villa however have not won the famous trophy since 1957 despite seven prior wins.
Whatever happens tomorrow it's sure to be a big day for Midlands football!
#60806 What Becks did next...
15th March 2014
nPower Championship
Villa Park, Birmingham (26,964)
Morton Gamst Pederson celebrates what proved to be the winning goal.
Both sides went into this fixture with automatic promotion in their sights and knew this could be a crucial game as the promotion race nears it's conclusion.
It was the visitors who were able to add three invaluable points to their haul when all was said and done at Villa Park this evening as Rovers climb to third place in the Championship standings, condemning Villa to slip two places to sixth.
The home side had the first clear cut chance of the game when Darren Bent headed Graham Dorrans's free kick over Paul Robinsion's cross bar with ten minutes elapsed. Bent would soon get another chance to add to his 23 league goals this season when Nathan Delfouneso set the former England forward free with a clever pass, Bent slotted away goal number 24 to to give Villa a twelfth minute lead.
This is the third meeting of these two sides in the last three months with one draw and one Villa win in the previous two encounters, Blackburn were determined not to be undone by David Beckham's side again this afternoon and were level in the 41st minute when Rueben Rochina curled a perfectly placed shot around two defenders and Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan to make it 1-1 as half time approached.
Rovers were gifted a gilt edge chance to get their noses in front shortly after the teams re-emerged, Mortan Gamst Pederson's long throw causing all kinds of problems in the Villa penalty area, Grant Hanley and Rochina both had goal bound shots blocked by the sheer volume of bodies in the box before Gael Givet fired wide from six yards when it looked easier to score.
It was another Pederson throw in which resulted in what turned out to be the winning goal, the Norwegian launching the ball into the box where it was half cleared by Ciaran Clark, but only as far as Haris Vuckic who laid the ball off for Pederson who was arriving in the area, the 32 year old cut inside before tucking away his shot at the near post for his third league goal of the campaign.
Villa now face a tough run of games against Fulham, Blackpool and Derby as they look to get their promotion bid back on track after being dealt a blow this afternoon, however before that they must travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter final, knowing it will take a gargantuan effort to advance, the Blues will be desperate to collect the FA Cup for an eighth time after being knocked out of the Europa League by Italian side Geona last month as well as being 27 points off of the pace set by Premiership leaders Manchester City.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 26.Danny Basham - 6.Ciaran Clark
12.Marc Albrighton (Sub 58) - 15.Graham Dorrans - Martin Spelmann (Sub 79) - 10.Charles N'Zogbia
14.Nathan Delfouneso (Sub 68) - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 21.Jordan Graham (On 58) 20.Christian Benteke (On 68) 8.Stephen Ireland (On 79)
#60803 The Susie Book Club
Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favour of the death penalty at all, I suppose here in Britain it makes little difference if you are in favour or not as this unashamedly anti-executions book is not applicable and your free to enjoy the novel. However in a country that still continues with capital punishment, In particular the USA, it may come across as Grisham, a famous left wing author once again making his views on the subject made, as he has in several of his other books.
#60795 What Becks did next...
Five Minutes With The Gaffer
Welcome fellow Villains to another edition of five minutes with, As always I'm Albert Von Villa and today I'm delighted to welcome back Mr. David Beckham!
Thanks AV, Good to be here again.
Good, so David it's been almost three months since we last met, back then you had just taken charge of your first game against Charlton just mere hours after joining the club, what are your thoughts on the what has transpired since then?
On the whole I've been very happy with the way we've been playing, we are still very much in contention for promotion whether that be automatically or via the play-off's who knows? to be honest with you I don't really care either way as long as we have Premier League flags flying above the stands next season.
You've lost just one of the thirteen games you have taken charge of, albeit having drawn six, is that a record to be proud of? or do you think you should have won more?
As I said I'm reasonably happy with how things have gone so far, there was a bit of frustration after some of those drawn games, especially the ones where we were perhaps expected to win, but it just goes to show you can never take anything for granted in this division, on their day anybody can beat anybody.
Away from the league, there is of course the FA Cup, in which Villa are still alive and preparing for a huge quater final clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Can we do it?
I think so, Even though we are a division below Chelsea I still think we're a Premiership quality side, if the lads perform as we all know they can, I truly believe we can cause an upset at the bridge.
Let's say that we do beat Chelsea, we are one of three Championship sides left in the last eight, along with Millwall and Ipswich, the four Premiership boys are Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Brom. If you could choose our semi final opponents, at Wembley, who would it be?
The temptation would of course be to pick one of the other Championship clubs to give us the best chance possible, but I think in terms of what the fans would want, a West Midlands derby with the Baggies at Wembley would be hard to top.
You surprised many by not entering the transfer market in January, was that deliberate or because the piggy bank was empty.
A mixture of both really, we did peruse a few names but for various reasons no deals were reached.
Gareth Barry was widely reported to be one of those names, sparking a mixed reaction among the Holte end faithful, many of whom have not forgiven him for his defection to Man City.
I did approach Gareth who is a player I have always admired for his ability and work ethic, However he wasn't interested in coming back here and preferred to stay and fight for a place in the City team.
Can we expect to see many changes in the Summer?
That is very much dependent on whether we are promoted or not.
Well David we are out of time, thanks for catching up with us and good luck for the remainder of what could be a glorious season if you manage to couple promotion back to the Premiership with an FA Cup final.
We'll do our best!
#60790 What Becks did next...
I know, it's been a bit rushed whilst at Villa, I got fed up of writing and ploughed ahead in my game, now I'm back with the story and trying to catch up to the point I'm at, I shall go back to a more considered style of writing once I've caught up with myself though.
#60789 What Becks did next...
7th March 2014
nPower Championship
KC Stadium, Hull
Graham Dorrans produced a man of the match performance.
Aston Villa continued their push for automatic promotion back to the Premier League following 80 minutes of convincing football before going to sleep and allowing Hull back into a game which had looked dead and buried for some time.
It took just 48 seconds for David Beckham's side to take the lead, Nathan Delfouneso's ball into the box looked as if it was easy pickings for the Hull defence, however Jack Hobbs sliced his clearance and inadvertently played a wonderful through ball for in form Darren Bent to run on to, The striker made no mistake in scoring for the fourth game running.
Bent, 30, should have scored again not long after when he and Delfouneso again combined well when 'the Fonz' pulled the ball back for bent after a surging run, Bent, completely unmarked in the middle of the penalty are slid his shot wide of Swiss goalkeeper Eldin Jakopovic's far post with the keeper helpless.
Villa did get their second in the 17th minute, Graham Dorrans working hard to keep the ball in play before crossing to Charles N'Zogbia who was arriving at the far post, the Frenchman slid across the ground to divert the ball past Jakopovic for his first league goal of the season.
The visitors thought they had won the game when the industrious Dorrans turned the ball in for their third following a goal mouth scramble mid way through the second half, However two quick fire goals from Aaron McLean and Nick Proschwitz suddenly made life uncomfortable for Villa, Beckham's men however managed to hold on and claim all three points as they prepare for the visit of Blackburn on Tuesday.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
12.Marc Albrighton - 38.Gary Gardner - 15.Graham Dorrans(Sub 90) - 10.Charles N'Zogbia
14.Nathan Delfouneso (Sub 77) - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 23.Callum Robinson (On 77) 16.Fabian Delph (On 90)
#60782 What Becks did next...
1st March 2014
nPower Championship
Villa Park, Birmingham
Championships leading scorer Darren Bent added another two strikes to his name.
Aston Villa bounced back from last weeks defeat by Brighton with a convincing win over struggling Peterborough this afternoon.
Two goals from Darren Bent as well as one from Gary Gardner saw Villa ease to victory over relegation threatened Posh to move the Midlander's up to fourth with ten games to go.
The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute when Gary Gardner fired across the six yard box where Darren Bent diverted the ball Posh keeper Alex Lynch for his 50th league goal in claret and blue since his move from Sunderland in January 2011.
Gardner went from provider to scorer in stoppage time at the end of the first half, young forward Callum Robinson squaring the ball to the England under-21 on the edge of the Boro area, Gardner made flashed a powerful shot past Lynch to give Villa a 2-0 lead going in at the break.
Although Villa had not been under any kind of threat throughout the first hour of the game, Darren Bent ensured that the game was well and truly won when he pounced upon a loose ball in the Pose penalty area following Robinson's intital shot being blocked by Lynch. Tyrone Barnett did pull a goal back for the visitors in the dying embers but it was never to be more than a consolation in a game where the Villains were always in control.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
25.Martin Spelmann
38.Gary Gardner - 15.Graham Dorrans (Sub 77)
10.Charles N'Zogbia (Sub 88)
23.Callum Robinson (Sub 90) - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 16.Fabian Delph (On 77) 21.Jordan Graham (On 88) 14.Nathan Delfouneso (On 90)
#60775 What Becks did next...
18th February 2014
nPower Championship
Villa Park, Birmingham
Ashley Barnes walked off with the match ball after a superb hatrick..
Brighton headed home from Birmingham with three points this after Ashley Barnes completed a hat-trick to hand David Beckham his first defeat as Aston Villa manager.
Villa put on a late fight back to pull back within one goal of the Seagulls but it proved too little too late as Danny Wilson's men held out for the win.
Brighton were ahead in the 17th minute when the Villa defence failed to full clear their lines, allowing James McFadden to chip the ball to Barnes at the far post who opened the scoring by nodding home from three yards out.
Villa should have been level in the 39th minute when Teofilo Gutierrez, filling in for the injured Christian Benteke, miscued his shot from point plan range and fired straight at Brighton keeper Tomasz Kuszczak who held the ball on his goal line.
Three minutes later Villa were made to pay for that miss when David Lopez's ball found Barnes who got the better of Richard Dunne before lobbing the oncoming Brad Guzan delightfully to make it 2-0.
Kuszczak denied Villa the chance to halve the deficit on the stroke of half time when he was well place to catch Darren Bent's diving header, Guzan was also forced into a fine save down to his left when David Lopez fizzed an effort across the penalty area just after the break, the American stopper was however beaten for a third time by Barnes when the explosive striker swept home Lopez's cross with a wonderful first time shot from the edge of the penalty area which couriered into the left corner of Guzan's net.
Charles N'Zogbia pulled a goal back for Villa in the 73rd minute when his 25 yard drive smashed against the post before hitting Kuszczak in the back and bouncing over the Polish keepers line, the away side were really made to sweat for the final five minutes when Enda Stevens picked out Darren Bent with a wonderful cross from the half way line, Bent nodded home despite claims that the England forward fowled Kuszczak in doing so.
Try as they might Villa just couldn't find a way through for a third goal, giving Brighton a well deserved win.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
12.Marc Albrighton (Sub 80) - 38.Gary Gardner - 7.Stephen Ireland- 10.Charles N'Zogbia
17.Teofilo Gutierrez (Sub 63)- 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 11.Nestor Calderon (On 63) 21.Jordan Graham (On 80)
#60766 The Susie Book Club
A church minister is approached by a newly released prisoner who confesses to the murder of a high school cheerleader nine years ago, which somebody else is scheduled to be executed in Texas for in just a few days, they must now halt the execution somehow.
The book is nothing but anti death penalty propoganda but it is incredibly tense and difficult to put down.
#60650 English Premier League 2012/2013
At least now he can finally go back to starring in Little Britain.
#60649 The Night Thread Mk. IX
#60590 The Night Thread Mk. IX
#60478 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Yeah I had to have one on my knee last year too, they put a couple of silly seat belts on you incase you fall asleep and roll off the table, it felt more like an execution than a scan when they do them up.
#60408 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Some riveting shit right there mate.
#60385 The Lower League Thread
Can't you get a bed in a youth hostel or something? I'm sure there will be plenty around Plymouth.
#60156 The Lower League Thread
Your forgetting the mighty Burton Albion.
#60155 What Becks did next...
15th February 2014
FA Cup Fifth Round
Villa Park, Birmingham
18 year old Jordan Graham had a storming game on his first professional start.
Aston Villa are through to the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a confident victory over Bolton at Villa Park this afternoon.
Just two years ago this was a mid-table Premiership clash, now it is Championship Vs League One , however both teams could have gone some way towards making up for their respective miserable couple of years by booking a trip to Wembley this season, something Villa now have the chance to do should they be able to find a way past either Sheffield Wednesday of Chelsea.
Christian Benteke put Villa ahead after eleven minutes when 18 year old Jordan Graham teed up the big Belgian who powered his shot past Bogdan, Benteke has now scored in four consecutive games.
David N'Gog had a wonderful chance to pull the Trotters level just four minutes later when he rattled Brad Guzan's post, however it would be Villa who chalked up the game's second goal, young winger Jordan Graham, already with an assist to his name provided it, the 18 year old England under-19 receiving the ball from Danny Simpson on the junction of the touch and half-way line, taking a few steps forward before lifting a high ball into the penalty area which floated over Bogdan and into the net, Confusion reigned as to whether Graham meant it as a shot but with no Villa players anywhere near it as the ball went in perhaps it was a truly wonderful 40 yard strike from a wide position.
Graham was once again involved in Villa's third and final goal when he won the ball from Bolton winger Chris Eagles outside the Bolton box before playing it back to Danny Simpson who crossed for Darren Bent, Bent made no mistake in tucking away his 23rd goal of the season, completing a very good days work for Aston Villa who await the result of a replay between Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea after the Owls held Rafa Benitez's Blues to a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough today.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
21.Jordan Graham (Sub 77) - 38.Gary Gardner - 25.Martin Spelmann (Sub 13) - 10.Charles N'Zogbia
20.Christian Benteke (Sub 62) - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 8.Stephen Ireland (On 13) 17.Teofilo Gutierrez (On 62) 12.Marc Albrighton (On 77)
#59800 What Becks did next...
8th February 2014
nPower Championship
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Aston Villa manager David Beckham watches on as his side attempt to find a winner.
David Beckham was quick to praise his side after they extended their unbeaten run to ten games by coming from a goal down to save a point in the Welsh capital this evening.
Beckham has overseen nine of those games, his record currently stands at three wins and six draws in all competitions, Villa currently find themselves fifth in the Championship, the opposition meanwhile could have gone top today had they held on to the three points, they currently sit second.
It was the higher placed team who took the lead in the sixteenth minute, Craig Conway cutting out Enda Stevens's throw in before setting away Joe Mason down the left flank, Mason cut inside before powering a shot past Brad Guzan at his near post.
Villa responded well to going behind and quickly moved to quell the Bluebirds momentum with their rhythmic short passing as they established control of the game, Darren Bent went close to levelling the scores five minutes after the goal when David Marshall was forced to throw himself down to his left in order to deny Bent his 22nd goal of the season
Bent was denied again by the Scottish keeper later in the first half when Christian Benteke's ball in to the former England striker was prodded towards goal, Marshall however pulled off an instinctive save to deny Bent from close range and send his side in at half time with the lead.
The second period started much as the second had finished, with Villa relentlessly pumping crosses into the Cardiff box, something had to give sooner or later and in the 65th minute it finally did, Benteke picking up the ball midway inside the opposition half before powering forward at full pelt and thundering a shot past Marshall which could well have broken the goalkeepers arm had he got a hand to it. The 23 year old Belgian international has now scored in three consecutive games.
Cardiff now visably deflated switched to a defensive approach as Villa drove forward in search of a winner which ultimately wouldn't come but both sides can take something from the game as the promotion picture stays as it was before kick off.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 26.Danny Basham - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
12.Marc Albrighton - 15.Graham Dorrans (Sub 74) - 25.Martin Spelmann - 10.Charles N'Zogbia (Sub 87)
20.Christian Benteke - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 38.Gary Gardner (On 74) 11.Nestor Calderon (On 87)
#59649 SimCity
#59643 What Becks did next...
5th February 2014
FA Cup Fourh Round Replay
Villa Park, Birmingham
An early Darren Bent penalty set Villa on course for the last sixteen.
Aston Villa are through to the fifth round of the FA cup after a fairly routine victory over Blackburn at Villa Park this afternoon.
Villa methodically wore down their opposition with their slow and precise passing game, making Blackburn chase shadows throughout much of the game as well as keeping things tight at the back when they lost control of the ball, limiting Rovers to just three shots on goal, all from distance.
Villa were gifted the chance to take the lead after just six minutes when Jason Lowe slid in on Charles N'Zogbia in the penalty area, the French winger went down in a heap as referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, Darren Bent looked in confident mood as he spotted the ball before sending Paul Robinson the wrong way to give Villa the lead.
Villa's second came five minutes before half time when Gary Gardner's cross to the far post was met by Christian Benteke, Benteke out jumped Grant Hanley to nod home from point blank range.
The second period offered little drama as the home side looked content merely to stroke the ball around the field and retain possession, clearly taking no chances after allowing a two goal lead to slip at Ewood Park last week. This time however Villa held out and with little difficulty as they booked a last sixteen tie with Bolton Wanderers to be played at Villa Park in ten days time.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
25.Martin Spelmann
15.Graham Dorrans (Sub 77) - 38.Gary Gardner
10.Charles N'Zogbia
20.Christian Benteke - 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 8.Stephen Ireland (On 77)
#59560 What Becks did next...
31st January 2014
nPower Championship
Villa Park, Birmingham
Darren Bent celebrates his goal
David Beckham finally has his first win as manager of Aston Villa following a good display at home to Middlesbrough this evening.
Beckham, 38, is a busy man today as he fervently tries to make some last minute deals to help bolster his squad for the remainder of the season, with nobody as of yet having signed on the dotted line with former Villa captain Gareth Barry apparently in line to return to the club after finding himself surplus to requirements at Manchester City, however heading out of Villa park is Karim El-Ahmadi who has joined Norwich for £2.1M.
Villa took just 20 seconds to stamp their authority on this game when Christian Benteke was played through on goal by Charles N'Zogbia, Benteke who is enjoying something of a renaissance under Beckham after being mainly a substitute under former manager Stuart McCall, slotted in his third league goal in three games as Luke Steele in the Boro goal despairingly looked on.
The team in claret and blue doubled up on the half hour mark when Darren Bent crowned a quick Villa counter attack, Christan Benteke finding Bent unmarked with his low ball across the six yard box which bent tapped in for his 20th goal of the season.
Bent could have had a second mid way through the second half when he headed straight into Luke Steele's chest from point blank range, however the 2-0 lead always looked decisive and so it proved as Villa move up a place to fifth.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 26.Chris Basham - 6.Ciaran Clark
12.Marc Albrighton (Sub 80) - 7.Stephen Ireland - 38.Gary Gardner - 10.Charles N'Zogbia
20.Christian Benteke 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 11.Nestor Calderon (On 67) 21.Jordan Graham (On 80)
#59555 What Becks did next...
26th January 2014
FA Cup Fourth Round
Ewood Park, Blackburn
Rueben Rochina rescued Blackburn and ensured a replay at Villa Park.
An 87th minute goal from Rueben Rochina saw Blackburn come from 2-0 down to keep his side alive in the FA cup and set up a replay next week at Villa Park.
Villa got off to a flying start and had their 2-0 lead after just ten minutes but much to David Beckham's frustration they were not able to add a third and kill the game off.
Darren Bent scored the first in the eighth minute when he received Gary Garner's pass 25 yards from goal, the former England striker drove forward before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the Blackburn penalty area which beat Paul Robinson low to his left.
Charles N'Zogbia doubled the visitors advantage just two minutes later, Danny Simpson's initial cross from the byline was aimed at Bent but was cut out by Gail Givet, the Frenchman however only got the ball as far as his compatriot N'Zogbia who rifled in the lose ball and made it 2-0.
Far from being defeat Blackburn hit back right away with just two minutes gone before Paul Robinson's long goal kick set Cameron Jerome free, Jerome made no mistake in sliding the ball past the advancing Brad Guzan to blow the game wide open again.
Rovers came close to leveling the game on the half hour mark when Rochina was denied by Guzan who parried the Spaniard's 25 yard drive over the bar, Guzan also denied Morten Gamst Pederson from some distance before diving at the feet of Jerome to prevent him from slotting home the rebound.
Darren Bent had a good chance to reinstate Villa's two goal cushion shortly after half time but fired into the side netting.
Blackburn's equaliser did eventually come, albeit in bizzare fashion, Guzan and Danny Basham showing poor communication as they tried to wind down the clock and ended up conceding the ball the Rochina on the edge of their own penalty area, Rochina could not miss as Guzan and Basham began playing the blame game.
The replay is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 26.Chris Basham - 6.Ciaran Clark (Sub 88)
12Marc Albrighton - 7.Stephen Ireland - 38.Gary Gardner (Sub 69)- 10.Charles N'Zogbia
20.Christian Benteke 9.Darren Bent
Subs: 15.Graham Dorrens (On 69) 27.Enda Stevens (On 88)
#59551 Rick's big walk
Need t get it going again though, There's only two and a half months left.
#59550 Fm2012 - Remove reserve matches from history?
#59549 What Becks did next...
18th January 2014
nPower Championship
Meadow Lane, Nottingham
Benteke was on target for Villa.
David Beckham is still without his first league win as Aston Villa manager after being held by a resilient Notts Co. side at Meadow Lane this afternoon.
Villa have now drawn all four Championship games under Beckham although they still occupy a play-off position and will be hoping for a win soon to ensure their push for a return to the Premiership doesn't falter.
Villa had the lions share of both possession and chances but struggled to find a way through the Magpies, Graham Dorrans had a good chance after ten minutes or so when his twenty hard effort flew just wide of the post, Marc Albrighton saw an effort cleared off the line from a Charles N'Zogbia corner and Christian Benteke's header was saved by County keeper Bartosz Bialkowski from close range
For all Villa's huffing and puffing it was the beleaguered home side who snatched the lead just after the hour mark had passed, Francois Zoko clipping an inch perfect ball over the top of Villa's high defensive line for Estonia international Ats Purje to divert the ball past Guzan after only having come on four minutes ago.
Frustrated, Villa wasted little time in hitting back, albeit through a glaring error on the part of Bialkowski, The Pole's short pass to defender Damion Stewart was cut out by the powerful Benteke simply shimmied the stranded goalkeeper before tapping into an empty net, Benteke's second goal in as many games.
Next up for Beckham's side is an FA cup tie with Blackburn at Ewood park, Last time these two sides met in a cup competition it finished 6-4 to Villa, will there be such drama this time?
Villa XI:
2.Danny Simpson - 5.Richard Dunne - 6.Ciaran Clark - 27.Enda Stevens
25.Martin Spelmann
15.Graham Dorrans (Sub 85) - 38.Gary Gardner
12Marc Albrighton - - - - - - - - - - 10.Charles N'Zogbia (Sub 70)
20.Christian Benteke
Subs: 7.Stephen Ireland (On 85) 11.Nestor Calderon (On 70)