Thursday, April 28, 2011

Tesco Bags and Running: West Bromwich Albion v. Villa, 30 April 2011

Darren Bent saved our asses.  With Stoke grinding the game down to nubbins by clutching, grabbing and taking f o r e v e r to take any and all set pieces, Bent snatched a chance from nowhere and headed a Kyle Walker cross past Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic from between two Stoke defenders to level the match.  Villa held out for the draw, and will go into the weekend against a team that actually wants to play football.

Since appointing Roy Hodgson to the manager's post in February, the Baggies went from certain relegation candidates to relative safety.  They come into the match in 14th position, just a point and a place behind Villa.  Last weekend, they snatched a last-minute draw from Tottenham on an absolute peach from young striker Simon Cox.  Both teams should 

In a bit of good news, Villa gaffer Gerard Houllier will be leaving the hospital to begin a spell of bed rest at home as he continues to recover from his health scare.  The Capital Villans wish a continued speedy recovery to the manager.

Your humble Capital Villans leadership will be travelling to Philadelphia during the match to participate in Sunday's Broad Street Run.  However, the match will be on live at Fado, on 7th NW between H and I, at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday.  Enjoy and UTV!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Get Well Soon, Ged: Villa v. Stoke, Saturday 23 April 2011, 10 a.m. EDT

A stoppage-time winner from Gabby Agbonlahor saw Villa see off the Hammers and shoot up to 10th in the Premier League, heading into this weekend's match with Stoke City.  Darren Bent also scored (his sixth in 11 games since joining in January- what a bargain), cancelling out Robbie Keane's second-minute opener.

Stoke come into the weekend feeling the high of doling out a 5-0 thrashing to Bolton in the FA Cup semifinal.   Former Holte End hero John Carew will be unavailable for the 13th-placed Potters, as he is on loan from Villa.  Other than that rule-bound change, both teams will have their full squads from which to select.

UPDATE:  Villa Manager Gerard Houllier was taken to the hospital last night with an undisclosed illness; Assistant Manager Gary "Short Pants" McAllister will take the reigns for Saturday's match.  We at the Capital Villans HQ wish a speedy recovery to Gerard.

The Capital Villans will be viewing the match at Lucky Bar; come join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday for the live broadcast.

Friday, April 15, 2011

East London Escape? West Ham v. Aston Villa, 16 April 2011, 10:00 a.m. EDT

Villa looked the part of the home team last week against Newcastle United, with James Collins the hero of a one-nil win.  This weekend, Villa travel to Upton Park, where color-stealers West Ham United await.  The Hammers come into the match in a precarious 18th, but still just 5 points back of Villa, who sit in 14th position.  A win for Villa would all but assure Premier League safety, and cast serious doubts on West Ham's survival (meaning Olympic Stadium would be a Championship Ground).

Last time Villa played West Ham was the season opener at Villa Park, with Kevin MacDonald in the manager's chair and James Milner in midfield (scoring his farewell goal in front of the Holte End).  The match will also be Ashley Young's 250th career league appearance.  Villa have everyone fit, and should name a similar side to the one that beat Newcastle, which will also make the match Gabby Agbonlahor's 200th start for the Villa.

The Capital Villans will be at Lucky Bar tomorrow for the live broadcast of the match, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.  Come join us!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Real Live One: Villa v. Newcastle, 10 April 2011, 11:00 a.m. EDT


After a battling 2-2 draw at Everton that saw Villa fight back from one-nil down to take the lead, only for a dodgy penalty decision to take away the full three points.  Darren Bent had the brace for Villa, who sit in 16th on 34 points with seven matches to go.

Enter Newcastle United, who visit Villa Park five points ahead in ninth, coming off of a 4-0 pasting of Wolves at St. James's Park.  Last time Villa played Newcastle sealed the fate of Kevin MacDonald as interim manager, with Newcastle running rampant and hitting in 6.  Last time we hosted Newcastle, then-captain Gareth Barry sealed the barcodes' relegation by thumping one in off the back of Damien Duff.  Both teams should have their full squads to choose from.

In addition, the club is pulling out the stops to once again make Villa Park an intimidating place to be for visiting teams.  The club shot the above video with 200 supporters earlier this week, in an effort to bring back the club's historical anthem "The Bells are Ringing," and to prove true the permanent banner on the facing of the Holte End, and give the Villans a "12th Man" to carry them through.  We'll be doing our best from 3,600 some-odd miles away, with a chance to actually watch the game live!  Come join us at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday- we'll be at Lucky Bar.

Friday, April 1, 2011

It's been a while. Everton v. Villa, 2 April 2011, Lucky Bar, 5:00 p.m. (tape delay)

Not much of an update this week.  It's been a while since we've convened- Villa travel to take on Everton at Goodison Park in a pretty-much must win match.  Stewie Downing, Darren Bent and Ashley Young all performed well for England in the International Break- let's hope they keep it up.

Join the Capital Villans at Lucky Bar at 5:00 for the tape-delayed broadcast of the match.