Villa to Earn their Spurs

On Sunday Villa have the chance to start to really establish themselves agin as a 'Top Half of the Table' team by gaining three points. I just have a feeling it might happen even though I would gladly take a draw now if you offered it me. So why am I not expecting another Tottenham thumping?

Well, I think the defence is finally getting a 'mean' streak and hopefully with the return of Benteke we will score at least once. I know they walloped us in the cup, but what would have happened if the ref had have seen the 'pulling of pants down' incident. 

Hopefully a converted penalty would have followed and forty minutes to play against a 10 man Spurs team with the scores level. At least we can now see the funny side but it was probably the worst decision I have seen at Villa Park in my 33 years. Well, apart from appointing Billy McNeil in 1986 maybe!

So my Sunday prediction is 2-0 to the Villa. Yes, a home clean sheet. It could happen. Although I expect us defend for much of the game.

Memory Match 2 - Aston Villa 6 Everton 2 (November 1989)   

In 33 years watching from the Trinity I can still count on fingers of one hand the number of times I have seen the Villans score six or more. So this game is one that has always been a favourite. 

It was this time of year and a Graham Taylor team who had narrowly avoided relegation six months ago suddenly made the whole nation sit up and take notice. Live on ITV on a Sunday afternoon the Villa were simply sensational. The score doesn't even do the performance justice as two Everton goals came right at the end and one of those Paul McGrath scored for them.

This was the match which finally rocketed David Platt into the England team and booked him a place in the 1990 World Cup squad. A World Cup that was to turn Platty into and England legend thanks to his sensationally winner against Belgium.

On that Sunday afternoon the telepathy between 'Sid' Cowans and Platty just mesmerised the Toffee men. Everton had started the day expecting a win to take them top of the league against a Villa side who had climbed to 7th place. But that Villa were just too hot to handle on the 5th of November. Two goals from Platt, a pair from Ian Olney (who was an unsung hero), one from Sid and a header from the only foreigner on the pitch Kent Neilsen. World class goalie Neville Southall could only watch. Villa were on the march and back to being the best in the land. 

The 80's had seen the Villa start as the best in England, become the best in Europe, slump to the 2nd Division and now under Graham Taylor rise back to the top. It is never dull being a Villa fan. 

This memorable game was probably the reason that Graham Taylor was chosen as the next England manager. Did the Villa fans 'Not like that...'. 

Villa finally finished runners-up to Liverpool that season (1989/90) after leading the league for much of the season. Maybe the record purchase of Tony Cascarino was a mistake, but we all applauded it at the time. What would have happened if we would have stuck with Ian Olney?        

Up the Villa