Hammered in Hammersmith




Yesterday saw Villa take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, so I had a day out with Scott which took in the various sites of Hammersmith pubs, unfortunately that's as cultural as it got. We started off early on just outside Hammersmith station and then made our way to the ground along the Thames.

We were supposedly sitting in the neutral stand, but it was a mass of claret and blue and the fans created a great atmosphere, at least before the game and for the first half. I had gone not expecting a win for Villa who are 5th despite having terrible form over the last couple of months, needless to say Villa didn't manage the win.

Danny Murphy put Fulham ahead from the spot on 6 minutes after some poor defending and Ashley young equalised for Villa on 14 minutes. Villa and Fulham seemed eavenly matched for most of the first half, but it has to be said the long season seems to have taken it out on Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonalahor. Stylian Petrov didn't have a particularly good game in my opinion and Gareth Barry who usually can be relied on seemed to be dreaming of another drawn out transfer saga in the Summer.

The second half was a bit of a damp squib as far as Villa were concerned. Diomasy Kamara scored on 46 and Villa didn't really recover. A quick goal might have led to a spirited second half, but it was Diomasy who scored again on 60 minutes. Reo Coker and Heskey came on for Luke Young and Shorey -- who judging by his performance and the way he came off the pitch could be on his bike in the summer. The tactical change was obviously to give Villa some extra bite, but the Fulham defence kept Villa at bay. The game ended 3-1 to Fulham. Fortunately Villa are already in Europe next season and judging on this performance Fulham will be joining them.

The pictures show the statue of Fulham legend Johnny Haynes from outside the ground. The view from the 'neutral' stand and Ashley young scoring for Villa.

After the match it was back to Hammersmith for a few pints with Paul Bracken and Macca. It was good to see Paul and a great day out despite the result.

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