football rambles

We went to Villa Park for Sean's birthday and like last year the game was marred by Villa having to play a large part of the match with 10 men after Joe Bennett was sent off for a second bookable offence. A lot of pundits who probably watch about 3 minutes of highlights of the games have been knocking Villa, yes you Alan Hansen, and the worst Premier League start by the club ever is raising a few eyebrows. Paul Lambert has remained upbeat, although on the face of it there doesn't seem much to be upbeat about. That said I still think that some positives can be taken from the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw and that's not just me wearing claret and blue tinted glasses, things are definitely not as bas as under Mc.Leish last season or as depressing as the final days of Deadly Doug and David O'Leary. Villa played well in the first half and although Norwich were still in the game and threatening at half time, the stats show that Villa dominated and created a lot more th

I didn't make it to Mildenhall on Tuesday, which was perhaps just as well as the Robins lost. I did make it to Villa park yesterday though.

After a busy start to the season it has been a quiet month so far with only 10 days left until we head into the part of the season that often sees a drop in the number of games I get to, mainly, but not exclusively because of the weather. At least I've got a big match planned for next Saturday with Villa taking on Norwich in the Premier League, not that I expect there both of them to be there next season as neither of them are showing decent format. Hopefully Villa will still be there, but after Norwich beat Arsenal yesterday it looks like they might be in a better position to escape the drop than Villa at the moment. The game will have a bit of an extra bite though with Lambert now in charge at Villa after working miracles at Carrow Road. His magic wand hasn't been working at Villa yet but he needs to get busy with it soon. A team that is on format are Mildenhall, and Ely are visiting there in the League Cup on Tuesday and hopefully I'll make it to that game too. Makin

Ely in defence in the early part of the second half. The players take a bit of a breather in the middle of the field. Ben Lawrence clears for the Robins. Ely on the attack.

Gorleston get on the attack after Ely's opener. Gorleston clear as Ely come close Luke Parkinson comes close for Ely City Action from the middle of the field.

Luke Parkinson passes the ball to Adam Murray. The Gorleston goalkeeper clears. The pass from Adam Murray to Paul Claydon that lead to Ely's first goal.

The players shake hands at before the game kicks off. Gorleston players get in a huddle Ely captain Lee Pacey and the Gorleston captain meet up Ely get the game under way.