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**Ian** · 05-02-2024, 08:07 AM

Aston Villa Secure First League Win

Before the start of this campaign it would have been unthinkable to suggest that Aston Villa would make it all the way to league game number ten without notching up a single victory that meant they would be left isolated at the bottom of the Premier League table. Well game number ten is exactly when Ian Greaves beleaguered troops did in fact secure that elusive victory and of all places it came at The Emirates, one of the toughest places to visit in the Premier Division. It was indeed a very close encounter played out against the Arsenal just as you would expect and to be honest any of these two teams could have taken the points on the day but it was the Vlla top marksman Luis Diaz that did the damage with a terrific curling effort that nestled into the top corner of the Gunners net. Star of the show for Aston villa on the day was goalkeeper Alex Meret who has come in for much criticism during his early days as the Villa Number One but in this game stopped everything that the home side threw at him and deservedly came away with man of the match. Let's hope this can prove a turning point for both Keeper and club.

Final Score: Arsenal 0-1 Aston Villa

**Ian** · 26-02-2024, 06:31 PM

Chelsea Overcome A Second Time

Following on from their first League victory Aston villa came up against Chelsea who they had already beaten just 2 weeks earlier in a Champions League group game. This encounter though proved to be a rather cagey affair with neither side creating any meaningful amount of goal scoring opportunities. It was the home side though that found that necessary clinical touch in front of goal and two goals in two minutes midway through the first half put Villa on a solid footing for the remainder of this game. In what proved to be a hectic period during the first 45 of this encounter Chelsea quickly pulled a goal back to half the deficit but Villa’s midfield dynamo Raphina very quickly restored the home team's two goal cushion after notching up his second of the game. Following this flurry of activity the game calmed down again with both sides failing to get adventurous although Aston Villa were more than content in seeing this one out.

Final Score: Aston villa 3-1 Chelsea

Big Win Secured Against French Giants

A break from the bread and butter of the Premier League saw Aston Villa take on Paris St Germain in round three of this season's Champions League group stage. With both sides setting up in a cautious fashion it was Villa that struck first blood through Luis Diaz via the penalty spot just past the quarter hour mark. A goal that saw the opposition open up Ian Greaves also reshuffled his troops and this paid dividends for the home side as they then raced into a three goal lead over the EFL top team with a further strike from Lautaro Martinez and a second from Diaz. Just to remind us of the quality that PSG have in their ranks they also came up with a stunner from one of their many talented players Kvaratskhelia but it was the home side that netted the games only other goal thanks to fine header by Julian Alvarez right on the stroke of half time. The second period was a much quieter affair as Villa in the end ran out what looked like comfortable winners in the end, although truth be known it was never as comfortable as the score line would suggest.

Final Score: PSG 1-4 Aston Villa

Raphinha Shines Against The Owls

League game number 12 saw Ian Greaves and his Aston Villa side travel up into South Yorkshire and The Hillsborough Stadium to take on Sheffield Wednesday. This a fixture that The Villains would normally be very confident in taking a positive result from but positivity has hardly been in ample supply so far this term for Aston Villa although a recent upturn in form does give them a little more confidence. Well as it turns out, any lingering doubts that the East Midlands based outfit had of taking a result away from this fixture soon melted particularly as the second half progressed. The first 45 although bossed by Villa finished goalless but the game came alight just minutes into the second period and it was all down to the Aston Villa attacking midfield man Raphinha who in a devastating 15 minute spell netted no fewer than four times to put the home side well and truly on the back foot. To complete the dominance front man Luis Diaz also got in on the act in the 75th minute to complete the mauling as Aston Villa’s recent upturn in form continued.

Final Score: Sheffield Wednesday 0-5 Aston Villa

Villa Breeze Past The Blades

Next up for Aston Villa a Home tie against struggling Sheffield United, another game that manager Ian Greaves will be hopeful of picking up three points in and despite an unsteady start to the game that is what happened but with apparent ease. Villa got the game going with a positive start, scoring an opening goal after just three minutes had passed on the clock but Sheffield United who had the better of the tactics tied the game back up square in no time. Goals came thick and fast though and Villa were quickly ahead once again as Luis Diaz nudged the home team back in front and all this inside the first ten minutes of the tie. This time though there was no way back for the away side as Villa ran riot and by the halfway point were three goals to one ahead. The second period was when Aston Villa really turned up the heat as they notched up a further four goals and this with no further reply from the opposition. Star man in this game for The Villains was front man Luis Diaz who notched up a hat trick bringing his tally for the season up to 12 goals in all competition, good going for a player that endured such a diabolical start to the campaign.

Final Score: Aston villa 7-1 Sheffield United

Villa A Let Down In Paris

Next game for Aston Villa took them across the channel to face Paris Saint Germain in round four of the Champions League group stages. It only seems like yesterday that Ian Greaves boys secured a famous win against the French giants back at Villa Park and with that game in mind the Villa faithfull full of optimism going into this tie but were brought back down to earth with an extremely lacklustre display at Parc des Princes. The football played by Aston Villa in this particular tie was absolutely miles away from what they achieved only a week ago in the reverse game in fact many have described Villa’s performance on the day as toothless. It might be true that Ian Greaves boys kept their opponents at bay to a large degree but barely mustered up any chances of their own on the night and in many ways were fortunate to get away with just a one goal deficit by the end of it all. To rub salt into the wound the Aston Villa centre back Jammal Lascelles received his marching orders just past the hour mark after receiving a second yellow. Even taking into account the strength of the opposition this was not a night to remember for the travelling fans.

Final Score PSG 1-0 Aston Villa

Point Earned At The Etihad

Back to the bread and butter of Premier League football next as Aston Villa travel up into Lancashire to play the League leaders Manchester City. This proved a valiant effort by Ian Greaves boys as far as getting a positive result was concerned as the visorts proved a good match on the day for the multi Premier League Champions hitting them hard at times on the counter attack. It was indeed Villa who notched up the first goal which came shortly after the half hour mark as fullback Jean Todibo rattled home a first time effort and this shortly after the home side had an effort ruled out for reasons only known by the referee. Both sides continued to create chances and a further goal was on the cards for any of these two teams but it was the home side who struck the final goal as young Jude Bellingham rifled home an unstoppable effort to ensure both teams went home with a point each.

Final score: Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa

Another Step Backwards

Next League game saw Aston Villa take on Liverpool at home and it was a game that once again reminded everyone involved with the club of the frailties that have plagued the first team since the start of this latest season after making a few tweaks in order to bring down the average age of the playing staff.The game itself was a very closely fought contest and although it was no classic there was also no standout team, as far as stats go including shots at goa,l honours looked very even the only difference being the Liverpool efforts found the back of the net whereas Villa’s efforts were mainly repealed. Two quickfire first half goals for the away side set the tone and although the home team pulled one back on the hour mark Liverpool found two further goals from somewhere to compound yet another a miserable day for Ian Greaves boys.

Final Score: Aston Villa 1-4 Liverpool

Villa Exit FA Cup

Next game for Aston Villa saw the team travel up to Burnley to play out an FA Cup quarter final tie, a game that ultimately saw them depart this season's domestic cup competition with a whimper. There can be no doubting whatsoever that the home side were worthy victors in this cup tie as Villa offered very little as an attacking force and despite two of Burnley's three goals coming late on in the game and against the ten men of Villa it has to be said that the struggling team from the West Midlands deserved everything they got in this game.

Final Score: Burnley 3-0 Aston Villa

Leeds Triumph Over Hard Working Villa

League game number 16 of this season's campaign saw Ian Greaves and his boys make the journey up into West Yorkshire to face the current League Champions Leeds United. On the back of two straight defeats now Aston Villa were looking for some inspiration from somewhere to stop this latest rot but despite putting up a good showing at Elland Road still managed to come away with zero points on the board. The game got off to a bad start for Villa who found themselves a goal down after the first meaningful attack of the game with the Leeds United front man Osimhen executing a fine lob over the Villa stopper from just outside the eighteen yard box. Aston Villa though were always well in this tie and deservedly pulled the game back square before the fifteen minute mark thanks to a well driven shot from midfield man Wilfred Ndidi. From that point onward the game swung from end to end and it was in fact Aston Villa who created the more opportunities on the day but with the game nearing its conclusion there was a sting in the tail for manager Ian Greaves. Firstly Luis diaz had what looked like a perfectly good goal chalked off following a lengthy VAR check and then to rub salt into the wounds Leeds United broke away with the ball late in the game and Kostic for the home side slammed the ball into the top corner to gift the home side all three points.A hammer blow indeed for the West Midland boys who had been more than a match for the home side but typical of the way this season has gone for Aston Villa ended up with absolutely nothing from the game.

Final Score; Leeds United 2-1 Aston Villa

February word count: 2026

**Ian** · 13-03-2024, 05:37 PM

Sleepy Brighton Ground Down

Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park the next game for Ian Greaves and his Villains and this game certainly proved a tough nut to crack. The Seagulls came into this game with just one intention and that intention was to take away a point, that ploy almost worked for the away side as well and had it not been for the alert Luis Diaz both sides would certainly have shared the spoils. With no intentions whatsoever of playing for the win and instead playing to frustrate, Brighton could have succeeded with that master plan had it not been for Aston Villa’s top scorer. Despite running into a brick wall for much of the game it was front man Diaz who found himself in some rare space before firing home what proved to be the decisive goal. Even after going behind Brighton showed no intent to get a goal back and it was Villa who nearly went further ahead despite having to continually play through the brick wall.

Final Score: Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

CL Stalemate

Back into the Champions League next and a home game against Chelsea for Aston Villa with Ian Greaves boys perhaps surprisingly still in the thick of the action in Group C along with Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid. This tie though a bit of a let down, particularly for the supporters who turned out with neither side on the night not fully committing to take the game on. In the end a fairly drab draw was played out a result that did Aston Villa no massive favours as they will now more than likely need a win away at Real Madrid in order to qualify into the knockout stages.

Final Score: Aston villa 0-0 Chelsea

Further Woes For Aston Villa

Back to the bread and butter of the Premier League next with The Villains tasting yet another defeat. Newcastle United the visitors to Villa Park and in a very closely fought encounter it was the away side that took all the points back up to the North East. The Magpies scored very early in the game before doubling their lead later in the first period. Villa pulled one back before the end of the first half but the away side again extended their lead around the hour mark. For the second time Villa pulled the margin back to just one goal but with little more than ten minutes remaining failed to find a leveller.

Final Score: Aston Villa 2-3 Newcastle United

Villa Get A Pick Me Up

Round 19 of this current season and at exactly the halfway point of the proceedings Aston Villa grab a good positive League result for a change. Crystal Palace the opponents on this occasion and although the game was closely contested it was indeed Villa who showed the greater flair in front of goal to run out what looked to be comfortable winners on the day. It was Lautaro Martinez who got the proceedings under way with a well taken goal on the half hour mark. With Crystal Palace always in the game it was Luis Diaz for Villa who inflicted the rest of the damage on the home team as he netted a brace during the second period to give Villa what looked a comfortable win, at least on paper that was anyway.

Final Score: Crystal Palace 0-3 Aston Villa

Villa Exit The Champions League

Next game up was the final group game of this season's Champions League competition, a competition that Aston Villa had performed well in up to this point given the strength of the group and also the League form that Ian Greaves boys have endured. Fair to say though that The Villains were outclassed in this final game against Real Madrid who in the end ran away with the tie. It had been very closely fought up until the half hour mark when the away side scored the first goal. From that point though things just went from bad to worse as the opposition added a further three goals in total with only Julia Alvarez for Villa able to reply.

Final Score: Aston Villa 1-4 Real Madrid

Villains Held

Following on from the disappointment of exiting the Champions League competition Aston Villa came face to face with Barnsley back at Villa Park. A game that saw the home side mainly dominant, this should have been three points in the bag for Villa but credit to the Tykes for keeping going. Thanks to the Villa top scorer Luis Diaz Ian Greaves boys shot into a two goal lead by the tenth minute only for Barnsley to pull a goal back ten minutes after that. By the time the midway point was reached Villa had again restored their two goal advantage and again The Tykes pulled the deficit back to one goal. It wasn't long after the restart that the game was all square and although it was mostly Villa pushing for the winner all square is how the game stayed, to the dismay of the home supporters.

Final Score: Aston Villa 3-3 Barnsley

Narrow Victory At London Stadium

A trip into the Capital next for Aston Villa and The London Stadium where The Villains met up with high flying West Ham United. The Hammers set up in this one in an unexpected way and things could have gone horribly wrong for Ian Greaves and his boys but luckily the team were on their toes for the whole of the 90 minutes as Villa kept the home side at bay, in fact did more than that and narrowly out played them. It was though a fairly cagey affair and looked to be heading for stalemate, but Greaves barked out a change of tactic to his players on the hour mark and the change seemed to work as within ten minutes Villa deservedly went ahead thanks to a very well taken goal by julian Alvarez. Shortly after the breakthrough Villa almost shot themselves in the foot as their giant centre back Elder Militao met with a straight red card for a lunging tackle that left Villa looking a little vulnerable for the last ten minutes. Thankfully the lads held on.

Final Score: West Ham United 0-1 Aston Villa

**Ian** · 27-03-2024, 09:52 PM

Villa Undone By Burnley Again

It was back on home soil again for Aston Villa’s next encounter and coming up against Burnley, a team that Ian Greaves rarely does well against, we all knew that this was going to be a difficult one to navigate. Indeed as predicted this turned out to be the case although the game itself was very closely fought. Unusually all the goals came during the second period of this tie and no surprises for guessing that it was the away team that struck first blood through their front man Guedes just approaching the hour mark. This opening goal sparked a flurry of further goals as Burnley then doubled their lead ten minutes later this time via a well taken effort from midfield man Nkunku but then five minutes after that goal Villa gave themselves hope thanks to a fine solo effort from Raphina. That hope though was short lived as The clarets again took a two goal advantage and this time it was Paul Pogba for the away side inflicting the damage. Despite the healthy looking scoreline for Burnley, Villa had given everything as good as they had taken in this game but Simon Hills team were just more clinical in front of goal, it was that simple.

Final Score: Aston Villa 1-3 Burnley

Another Big Loss

Following on from a heavy defeat at Turf Moor Aston Villa travelled into Lancashire to face Blackburn Rovers hoping to turn things around but true to form suffered defeat yet again. Despite the opposition having the better tactical start to the game it was Villa that took an early lead through Luis Diaz and so stuck with the system they started out with. Despite numerous chances for each team no further goals were added during the first period but that all changed in the second half of the game. Having levelled the tie shortly after the restart it was the home side who then ran away with the game somewhat and to the home supporters delight Blackburn themselves scoring a further three goals in fairly quick succession that put paid to any Villa fight back we may have hoped for. With just a few minutes left on the clock The Villains did reply to the scoreline once again but this proved far too little too late to expect any comeback.

Final Score: Blackburn Rovers 4-2 Aston Villa

Villa Leave It Late In Seven Goal Thriller

Back on home soil next for Ian Greaves and his boys as The Villains took on Southampton at Villa Park. Desperate for a pick me up The Lions soon found themselves a goal down as with just five minutes on the clock Nianzou for the Saints found himself in space and calmly slotted home to put the away team in front. This was not a game where at any stage Villa were outplayed or even played badly but that didn't stop them from falling even further behind with just 12 minutes on the clock as this time Pino for Southampton drove in a shot that rebounded off the post and straight back into the path of the away teams front man who couldn't really miss, 2-0 to the Saints. The game was very much end to end and before the break Villa pulled one back through Raphina to give them some hope. The second period again saw some attacking play from both teams and you have to say it was Villa who looked the more likely but again it was Southampton who extended their lead by two goals right on the hour mark to leave Villa with a mountain to climb. Hats off to the boys though, they left it late, but came back strong as firstly Martinez narrowed the lead back to one goal again with just ten minutes to go. By this point it was mainly all Villa and with just five minutes left Raphina got his second of the game to square the tie up for the first time and then amazingly up popped Alvarez in the closing stages to grab a dramatic late winner that was well deserved by the home team.

Final Score: Aston Villa 4-3 Southampton

Back to Back Wins Secured

It was a journey into the Capital next for Ian Greaves and his Aston villa Side as they took on Tottenham Hotspur, a team who like The Villains this season have been a big disappointment with both clubs currently sitting not far above the relegation places. With both sides having won their previous League encounters going into this tie, another three points would prove huge for the victors of this game and so plenty to play for at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both teams opted to line up in a very cautious fashion, both teams also playing five defenders and both employing defensive midfielders so it came as no surprise that this game failed to reach any dizzy heights in terms of excitement despite the fact that both teams were prepared to roam forward when the opportunity arose. Despite a very closely fought battle it was Villa who in the main remained in the driving seat and that was thanks to two early goals, firstly from the in form Raphina who put The Lions ahead just two minutes in, before Julian Alvarez doubled the away sides lead after a mere ten minutes had elapsed. The two early goals meant that Villa were prepared to stick with their defensive looking formation as the onus was now with Spurs to get themselves back into this tie. Despite a few more chances falling to each of these two teams it was very late in the game a further goal was actually scored, this time it was Tottenham getting in on the action but the goal proving too little too late for the home side as they quickly ran out of time to force an equaliser.

Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Aston Villa

Word count for March = 2045

**Ian** · 25-04-2024, 09:02 PM

Wolves Bring Villa Back Down To Earth

Following on from back to back League wins Aston Villa next entertained Wolverhampton Wanderers on home soil, a game that on paper looked very winnable for Ian Greaves boys but true to form this season a game that ended in disappointment. Credit to the opposition they did their homework going into this tie and tactically outfoxed Villa during the first 30 or so minutes and that period paid off for the away side as they nudged ahead just after the half hour mark through the front man Jackson. This opening goal prompted Wolves to sit back and try to hold on but Villa did deservedly level the tie back up shortly before the break thanks to Luiz Diaz’s 20th of the campaign. Somewhat surprisingly the away side decided to remain in defensive mode and although Villa were having more meaningful shots than the opposition it was Wolves who regained the lead shortly into the second period this time thanks to the other Wolves front man Veron. Villa did have opportunities to level the game back up a Second time but a late sucker punch from the opposition in the dying moments of the game secured all three points for the travelling team.

Final Score: Aston Villa 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Result As Expected At Old Trafford

Next game for Ian Greaves and his boys was a tough looking journey into Lancashire to face Steve Outten’s Manchester United. Almost as tough as they come this game especially when the Red Devils are going so well keeping in touch with neighbours Manchester City and the title race alive. The game started very evenly with Villa repeatedly hitting the home side on the counter attack and had the Lions managed to get the first goal this could have ended up a very different game of football. As it was, it was the Red Devils who made the breakthrough when Ansu Fati was at hand to tap home a well executed cross midway through the first period. From that point forward United got more of a griphold and soon doubled their lead thanks to a well taken free kick by Adeyeni from just outside the D. The early parts of the second half saw Manchester United lose their front man and scorer of the first goal Ansu Fati after collecting a second yellow card but despite going down to ten men United never looked like giving up the two goal lead.

Final Score: Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa

A Much Needed Three Points

On the back of two straight defeats Aston Villa next made the journey up to Merseyside where they came face to face with fellow strugglers Everton. The Toffees under manager Mike Mcleod have endured a difficult season as have The Lions and so both teams keen on three points in this encounter. After a lively opening it was Aston Villa who got an early breakthrough as Julian Avarez scored a very nice solo effort after leaving his Everton marker for dead before calmly rounding the keeper to slot the ball into an empty goal. Villa though far from having this game all their own way as Everton gave just as good as they got and any of these two sides looked capable of scoring a second goal. With plenty of opportunities falling to both teams it perhaps came as a surprise that it took until the 75th minute before we saw a second and on this occasion it was Everton's turn to get on the score sheet thanks to a finely taken effort from Jarrod Bowen. With the game then entering the final stages and a point each looking very much on the cards up popped Luis Diaz for Villa who hit a stunning drive that had the Everton keeper scrambling but getting nowhere near the ball before it nestled into the side netting. Wth just injury time remaining Everton did have one further opportunity to get back level but saw an effort from Edoaurd come crashing off the post just before the final whistle.

Final Score: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa

Diaz Late Goal Sinks Gunners

High flying Arsenal next up for Aston Villa with Darren Humphris high flying stars making the journey up to the West Midlands here at Villa Park. It was a slightly cagey start to this match but it was Villa who looked the more energetic and that bright start soon paid off with the hosts going ahead just ten minutes in thanks to a fine long range effort from full back Hermoso. Almost instantly the visitors thought they had levelled the game back up after Thuram also executed a fine long range effort but on this occasion the goal scorer was adjudged to have been marginally offside. To rub salt into the wounds for Arsenal they had a second goal chalked off just two minutes later, this time Isak putting the ball in the back of the Villa goal but on this occasion the offside flag was much more clear cut. With goal action now coming thick and fast Villa broke free and doubled their lead, this time it was a very powerful shot from Diaz that the Arsenal keeper failed to get hold of and the ball spun out of the unfortunate keeper's grasp and into the back of the net. In what was a very action packed first 45 Arsenal then came good and just before the break scored two goals that this time did count, through Isak and Pepe. So onto the second period which proved slightly calmer although chances kept coming for both these sides although neither side looked like taking one of those chances. With the game looking destined to become a draw, up popped that man again Luis Diaz in the 94th minute who rounded his marker and then calmly slotted the ball past the outstretched Dean Henderson to give the homeside a dramatic late winner.

Final Score: Aston Villa 3-2 Arsenal

Bore Draw At The Bridge

It was a trip into the Capital next for Ian Greaves and his boys as Aston Villa took on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Blues, unlike The Villains, are having a reasonable season so far as they look to secure a Champions League place while Villa continue to struggle in making any real sort of impact on this current season. This particular game though proved to be a real let down in terms of entertainment with both teams failing to take the game by the scruff of the neck and go all out for the three points on offer. In the end it was a case of the less said about this game the better as the crowd were certainly let down by this drab affair dished up in front of them. While a point gained at Stamford Bridge is a reasonable result for Aston Villa the manner in which it was achieved was far from reasonable.

Final Score: Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa

The Villains Squeeze Past The Owls

It was back on home soil next for Ian Greaves and his boys as Aston Villa hosted Mike Bradwell’s Sheffield Wednesday outfit. The Owls who currently languish in the Premier Leagues relegation places will obviously be desperate to pick up something from this game. You could see from the start of this encounter that the Wednesday gaffer had done his home work prior to this match simply by the way he had set his team up to play and the result of this meant that a very tight and evenly contested game was fought out. It was indeed the opposition who notched up the first goal thanks to a well struck volley by their top scorer Ollie Watkins. Thankfully Villa responded quickly to the set back and within minutes found themselves back on level terms thanks to a second volleyed goal this time by the Aston Villa midfield man Wilfred Ndidi. The game really could have gone either way such was the competitive nature of the tie but it was the home side who eventually settled it thanks to a fine solo effort from the Villa front man Lautaro Martinez.

Final Score: Aston Villa 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

A Point Secured In South Yorkshire

It was back on the road again for Aston Villa as they travelled up into Yorkshire to face Kelsey Barkworth’s Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Just like in the previous game against our opponents neighbours Sheffield Wednesday, The Villains lost tactical advantage for the whole 90 minutes but thankfully came out of the game with at least something. Despite enjoying marginally the better of the stats including efforts on goal it was Villa who initially went behind in this game as the roaming midfield man Asensio fired the Owls in front shortly before the quarter hour mark .That lead for the home side lasted until the end of the first 45 when LuiS Diaz beat the offside trap to run through and calmly slot home on the brink of half time. There were certainly enough chances created during the second period for either of these sides to take all the points but the game ended up with what was probably a fair result with the teams taking a point each home.

Final Score: Sheffield United 1-1 Aston Villa

Villa Thump The League Leaders

Next up for Ian Greaves and his boys was the daunting task of facing multi League Champions Manchester City back at Villa Park. After suffering a shock last season when Leeds United took the Premier League title City have sat at the top of the pile for the majority of this campaign and look as though they mean business in claiming back that champions title. Aston Villa though had other ideas and were pleased to see that the opposition had two mainstream defenders missing for this tie although manager Ian Greaves was under no illusions as to the enormity of this task still. Indeed it was The Sky Blues who got off to the better start when Harry Kane blasted the visitors into the lead around the half hour mark. The Villains though who had never looked second best up to that point deservedly got back on level terms ten minutes later thanks to a stunning effort from front man Julian Alvarez and the teams went in at the midway point all square. The second 45 saw Villa really come into their own and hitting Manchester City on the counter time and time again soon found themselves ahead for the first time thanks to a fine curling shot from their dynamic midfield man Raphina. From this point on the home side just went from strength to strength as next it was the turn of top scorer Luis Diaz to get in on the action executing the cheekiest of goals. But that wasn't the end of this rout as Villa’s third front man Lautaro Martinez notched himself up a quick fire brace to make sure this match remained a memorable one as far as the home team was concerned.

Final Score: Aston Villa 5-1 Manchester City

Villa Undone At Anfield

With the end of this current season now well and truly in sight Ian Greaves and his Villains had to make the trip into Merseyside to pit their wits against Hamza Siddiqui’s Liverpool outfit. The Reds enjoying a good season under Siddiqui and also pushing for the top eight places so this was sure to be a stern test for Villa who themselves have been in good form of late. It was though the home side who got off to an excellent start as within the first two minutes of the game Liverpool found themselves a goal to the good thanks to a powerful header from close range by their midfield man McNeil. Before long the game took another bad turn for Villa as on this occasion the Reds fullback Denayer fired home a bullet like effort to put liverpool two goals ahead and all before 15 minutes had elapsed. It just wasn't to be Villa’s day today as they were always a second best and even though Alvarez pulled a goal back shortly before the interval Villa never really got into their stride and in the end probably deserved to lose.

Final Score: Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa

April word count: 2056

**Ian** · 02-05-2024, 07:36 PM

Villa Edge Champions In Nine goal Thriller

A home tie against Tim Davey’s Current Premier League Champions Leeds United was the next game up for Ian Greaves and some game it turned out to be. Leeds might have fallen off the pace with the top contenders this season, confirming what many thought from last season that it was a one off campaign for the West Yorkshire based outfit, but make no mistake Leeds United remain a threat to any team in this division. In a game that both sides clearly wanted to take all three points from we got a pulsating game and it was the current champions who got away to an absolute flyer as they raced into a two goal lead by the time the clock had hit six minutes. First on the score sheet for the away side was front man Musa who found the back of the net with the first meaningful attack of the game and it wasn't long after The whites doubled their lead this time through Son. Although rocked by the opening events Villa failed to lie down and during a very open game had levelled the game back up by the midway point of the first 45 thanks to goals from Raphina and Alvarez. The goals continued to flow, particularly in the first 45 and Leeds soon found themselves back in front as Musa completed his brace. Once again very shortly after, yet another goal came as Villa again pulled the game back level this time it was Alverez on the score sheet as he went on a solo run before slotting home. Next man to find the back of the net was Luis Diaz as he fired in a snap shot that somehow evaded the Leeds keeper and for the first time Aston Villa found themselves in front as they went in at half time following a remarkable first half here at Villa park. As for the second period, well that may not have produced as many goals but the football on display was just as exciting and shortly before the hour mark it was Leeds turn to square the proceedings back up thanks to a thunderous drive from their forward Osimhen. The football continued to flow with further chances created for both teams and it was Villa who had the final say in the pulsating match as Alvarez rose up in the 80th minute to head home what proved to be the winning goal which was harsh on the visitors but heaven for Ian Greaves and his boys.

Final Score: Aston Villa 5-4 Leeds United

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