Friday, May 20, 2011

A change of venue to end the Season: Aston Villa v. Liverpool, 22 May 2011, 11 a.m. EDT

Villa closed out its traveling campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Arsenal, with Darren Bent bagging a brace in the first 15 minutes, and Villa defending stoutly for the remaining 75, thus certifying next year's appearance in the Premier League.  A win to close out our season could, depending on results, see us catapult into 9th, a dizzying position considering how this season has played out.

Villa will be without midfielder Jean Makoun, who has left early for Cameroon to tend to his wife and children, who were recently in a car crash.  The family is not seriously injured, but is in a state of shock.  Our best wishes go out to Jean.  Manager Gerard Houllier also continues to mend from his heart scare, but the good news is that the gaffer was at Bodymoor Heath earlier this week.  Mssr. Houllier could be in attendance for the final game of the season, but Gary Mac will remain in charge of the team for one last match.

The match could also be the farewell for several Villa players, with Nigel Reo-Coker and Brad Friedel still yet to sign new contracts (their current ones expire with this season).  Speculation also swirls around Ashley Young, who will enter the final year of his Villa contract next season.   Kyle Walker will also return to Tottenham, barring a successful permanent bid from Aston Villa.

Capital Villans will be changing venues to the Queen Vic on 12th and H Street NE, which I'm told is a Liverpool bar.  At any rate, it's a right proper pub.   Come on out, bid farewell to the season, and UP THE VILLA!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The only team with less to play for than us: Arsenal v. Villa, 15 May 2011

Last week's dire 1-1 home draw to Wigan was really only notable for Emile Heskey's sudden inclination to care how an official was calling the match.  Heskey responded in extremis to a foul by Antolin Alcaraz (a foul which, it should be noted, referee Mike Jones had given, but for which was playing advantage to Villa) by charging into Jones, who did the lumpen striker a favor by only booking him for dissent, and not sending him off for abusive conduct toward an official.  Ashley Young scored an equalizer from a free kick in the 18th, canceling out Charles N'Zogbia's 10th minute opener.  Heskey was denied by Ali al-Habsi in the first half, while Darren Bent put a golden chance in the 84th right into Wigan's Omani keeper.

The draw leaves Villa with an outside chance of relegation, in 14th on 42 points, just six points clear of 18th placed Blackpool with two games remaining.  And in this state, we head to Arsenal, who had their title hopes dashed by a 3-1 loss to Stoke last weekend.  The Gunners are three points back of second-place Chelsea, but would want to stay ahead of  Manchester City, whom they lead by two heading into the last two matches.

Villa follow this with a visit from a very in-form Liverpool, who are scoring goals for fun at the moment and fighting for a Europa League place with Tottenham, so best to get the point that guarantees safety at the Emirates.  Capital Villans will be viewing and hoping for said minor miracle at Lucky Bar. Come join us for the match this coming Sunday at 11:00 a.m. EDT!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Three points till safety and a "new" look: Villa v. Wigan, 7 May 2011, 10 a.m. EDT

Check-check-check check it out: Villa's "prototype" home kit for next year
(credit: Footballshirtculture.com)

After crushing 2-1 loss to 10-man West Brom that saw the Baggies score all three goals, Villa will look for some  home cooking as Wigan Athletic come to town.  Villa are currently six points above the drop zone, and while they should be safe, Wigan currently occupy the final relegation spot, and will be hungry for a win.

The Villans will be without midfielder Jean II Makoun, who missed last week's clash with a thigh injury, although Richard Dunne returns fit after leaving the West Brom match early with "dead-arse" and Emile Heskey returns from a knee injury.  Expect a similar team to the one that faced West Brom and Stoke.

In other news, a "prototype" for Aston Villa's home kit for the 2011/12 season has been making the rounds after an image posted to JJB Sports (incidentally, Wigan used to have them as a shirt and stadium sponsor).  Football Shirt Culture has the story and specs, while the club have announced that the shirt will be available in July, but might not look EXACTLY like the picture above.  Our bet is that the checks will be a little closer in shade, and that there will likely be some claret detailing on the sleeve tips.  Our hope is that the proposed white socks that go with the kit are replaced with blue socks, as that's what an Aston Villa kit looks like.  Save the white socks for the Spammers.

Capital Villans will be taking in the Wigan match at Lucky Bar, on the crossroads of 18th and Connecticut NW.  See you bright and early at 10 a.m. EDT!