Posh and Villa the second time around
Another preseason, another birthday for me and another game between Peterborough and Villa at London Road. Last season when the clubs met things were probably looking a bit rosier for both clubs. Peterborough had just been promoted, had a fine young manager in Darren Ferguson and probably thought they had a bright future. However three managers later and a relegation sees the very experienced Gary Johnson take control of the team, which is good news for Posh I think, but when you consider that one of their players recently moved to Crawley for more money, perhaps things are not as optimistic as last season. Likewise Villa were looking to crack the Champions League this time last season, they didn't make it, a usual 6th place was coupled by a trip to the League Cup Final and the FA Cup Semi Final (both occassions being ruined by Howard Webb who reffed the World Cup Final with the same level of ineptitude). I hope that Villa can improve on that, but there seems to be a lack of funds and Man City's continued spending, Spurs being in the Champions League and Roy Hodgson taking over at Liverpool means it will probably be harder for Villa this season.
Anyway, enough of the doom and gloom. The Monday night kick off meant there were less people than at the fixture last year, but Villa started with a decent enough 11: Friedel, Beye, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Carew, Petrov and Downing all started. Villa looked like they had just come back off their holidays, which they had. However, Ashley Young put Villa ahead with a lovely goal from the edge of the box on 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the defence was still asleep and Aaron Davies got past Richard Dunne and his Welsh team mate James Collins to equalise one minute later. To be honest the defence at that time still looked a bit rusty, but I wasn't too impressed with Beye and fellow fullback Eric Lichaj played really well, but didn't really look like a defender. In fact he always seemed to be in the same place as Stewart Downing. He actullay impressed me, but didn't look like a defender.
The rest of the first half was pretty even with both clubs coming close, probably the best effort coming from Peterborough's Grant McCann, fortunately Friedel was equal to everything and Carew, Young and Petrov seemed to get into the game as the half progressed. On the stroke of half time Ashley Young crossed for John Carew who flicked the ball nicely into the corner of the goal to make it 2-1 at half time.
In the second half Villa made a lot of changes with mainly academy players coming on, although Downing and Reo-Coker stayed on for most of the second half. Of the players who were introduced, probably the most familiar names were Marc Albrighton, who had a few runs out in the UEFA Cup run the season before last, Barry Bannan, who has impressed on loan at Blackpool and might be going there permanently and Isiah Osbourne.
Isiah Osbourne reminds me of a friend who doesn't like football. You know, the sort of person you only see when the football season isn't on. He seems to disappear for the whole football season and only feature in friendlies.
Anyway, Villa extended their lead early on with Stewart Downing crossing the ball to Eric Lichaj from a corner with Lichaj powering the header in. Later on Charlie Lee, allegedly pulled one back for Posh ( I say allegedly, because it looked like an own goal from where I was).
It ended 3-2, but Villa's inexperienced side at the end made it a stressful affair.
Anyway, enough of the doom and gloom. The Monday night kick off meant there were less people than at the fixture last year, but Villa started with a decent enough 11: Friedel, Beye, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Carew, Petrov and Downing all started. Villa looked like they had just come back off their holidays, which they had. However, Ashley Young put Villa ahead with a lovely goal from the edge of the box on 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the defence was still asleep and Aaron Davies got past Richard Dunne and his Welsh team mate James Collins to equalise one minute later. To be honest the defence at that time still looked a bit rusty, but I wasn't too impressed with Beye and fellow fullback Eric Lichaj played really well, but didn't really look like a defender. In fact he always seemed to be in the same place as Stewart Downing. He actullay impressed me, but didn't look like a defender.
The rest of the first half was pretty even with both clubs coming close, probably the best effort coming from Peterborough's Grant McCann, fortunately Friedel was equal to everything and Carew, Young and Petrov seemed to get into the game as the half progressed. On the stroke of half time Ashley Young crossed for John Carew who flicked the ball nicely into the corner of the goal to make it 2-1 at half time.
In the second half Villa made a lot of changes with mainly academy players coming on, although Downing and Reo-Coker stayed on for most of the second half. Of the players who were introduced, probably the most familiar names were Marc Albrighton, who had a few runs out in the UEFA Cup run the season before last, Barry Bannan, who has impressed on loan at Blackpool and might be going there permanently and Isiah Osbourne.
Isiah Osbourne reminds me of a friend who doesn't like football. You know, the sort of person you only see when the football season isn't on. He seems to disappear for the whole football season and only feature in friendlies.
Anyway, Villa extended their lead early on with Stewart Downing crossing the ball to Eric Lichaj from a corner with Lichaj powering the header in. Later on Charlie Lee, allegedly pulled one back for Posh ( I say allegedly, because it looked like an own goal from where I was).
It ended 3-2, but Villa's inexperienced side at the end made it a stressful affair.
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