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The new Olympic Stadium was such a perfect setting for a perfect match in the Capital One Cup. These are two sides that over the last couple of season's have under achieved in the domestic cup competitions. This season though both clubs can smell silverware with whoever won this match would be one of the favourites for the Cup.


Lewis Kinsella gets his long awaited debut for Villa at left back

Aston Villa manager Paul McGrath called on twenty-three year old left back Lewis Kinsella to replace the injured Davide Santon to play alongside Peruzzi, Stones and Caulker with Delph, Cleverley and Rakitic in the midfield and Volland, Rotariu and Rondon as the attacking three that were hoping to fire Villa into the semi-final.

West Ham manager Paul Lambert was looking to get one over on his former employers by naming former Villan Victor Camarasa on the bench. If there was a match that Lambert wanted to win, it would be this one. He named 36 year old Wally Caballero in goal over regualr keeper Adrian and also another ex Villan in right back Gregory Van Der Wiel at right back.


Van Der Wiel will play against his former club tonight

The match kicked off and both side lined up 4-2-3-1 but it quickly went sour for the home side as Villa flew out of the blocks and when Rondon had gone through one on one with Cabellero, he went down but the referee seemed to bottle the decision so early on in the game much to McGrath and Rondon's displeasure and the fans from Villa were already singing you don't know what your doing to the referee.

In the 18th minute though a mistake from former Villa right back Gregory Van Der Wiel's hesistance allowed Dorin Rotariu to score an opportunist close range finish which was timed so impeccably that keeper Cabellero did not move. Villa then went close several times in the first half through Rondon, who looked absolutely outstanding in that first 45 minutes.


Rotariu performed amazingly tonight

Inside forward Raheem Sterling doubled the lead for Aston Villa with a well timed close range finish on the 63rd minute. Rondon who had been all over the place throughout the match placed a delightful through ball into the onrushing Sterling who produced a delicate chip over the keeper and then 6 minutes later a corner by the impressive Rotariu was connected by a Caulker bullet header to make it 3-0 and Villa were cruising.

If anyone deserved a goal though it was Salomon Rondon and he got the goal that he deserved with a well timed finish from close range. Zarate and Kent got two consolation goals but Villa came out worthy winners and captain Fabian Delph thinks they can go all the way and win the cup.

Why not? said Delph, speaking after the match. We are in the last 4, we have a great squad and Lewis (Kinsella) came in today and performed so, so well for us, which shows we have a great youth project here at the club and with us being in the top four in the League we do not have to rest players, which means we hope can give the fans a date at Wembley because we all want to win trophies in our careers and hopefully we will start that this season with the Capital One Cup.

Follow the draw live on BT Sport on the 21st December

There WILL be a Championship side in the final of the Capital One Cup after Hull and Millwall were drew alongside each other in what will be a thrilling encounter.



Hull, who are third in the Sky Bet Championship table behind Burnley and Brentford are the current holders after defeating Manchester City on penalties last season and are showing they were not one season wonders by defeating sides like Fulham and Middlesboro, find themselves with the apparent easier task in Millwall, but in Millwall you have a side that has defeated Man City on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw and then in the Quarter finals, they dumped Tottenham out of the cup too.

Millwall, who are currently lying 16th in the Championship last made a cup final back in 2004 when Manchester United defeated Dennis Wise's Millwall side 3-0 and now Mauricio Pochettino is looking to get Millwall to another final.



The match of the round though is Aston Villa against Chelsea and McGrath against Mourinho, where there is no love lost between these two managers. There is an element of respect to each other though because Mourinho thinks that only McGrath could have turned Villa into Premier League title competitors.

Chelsea, who are top of the Premier League have not lost a match in any competition all season but in the Capital One Cup, over two legs Aston Villa fans will think they have a chance. Paul Mcgrath has done everything but win a trophy for The Villans since joining them and this competition could well be the one this season for them to make sure they can kick on for the rest of the season.

The matches will take place on the 23rd January and the 30th January, stay tuned for the reports.

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Aston Villa Still In Hunt

Good December For The Villans


December is always a hectic month for any club but Aston Villa had a record NINE matches this month and it all started live on BT Sport against Manchester City and when Daniel Sturridge backed up Aston Villa's fast start by scoring in the 18th minute, Man City had to dig there heels in. Ex-midfielder James Milner was pulling the strings from midfield, Villa couldn't find another goal which they would have deserved.


Fernandinho scored a rare goal against Aston Villa

Now Manchester City do not have two bad halves so it was no surprise when they got a equaliser but it wa sa surprise that it came from Fernandinho, who scores around 3 goals a season and when he does score, he hits fantastic goals. Manchester City were running riot now and just six minutes later Steven Jovetic scored a magnificent solo effort. He got round
Cleverley, Caulker and Stones to drill home from around 24 yards out with a low drive that Sirigu did not move.



Man City could have scored several goals but for Sirigu. First was a quite outstanding point blank save down to his near post for a Jovetic shot, then Toure, Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka also went close and Villa were awful. In one bright spark, Grealish hit a stunning long ball to Sterling who took on three players, got into the box and was bundled down in box and was given a penalty.


Stones celebrates scoring the equaliser against Arsenal

It was dispatched by John Stones and Villa amazingly held on for a 2-2 draw.

Then Aston Villa travelled to Southampton for a Tuesday night match and VIlla manager Paul McGrath stuck with the same side and it paid off. Grealish had yet another great game infront of around five scouts from all over Europe. His first goal in 45 seconds was from a rare headed goal. He then double the lead in the 25th minute with a crisp left foot shot but Southampton hit back with two of there own goals.

Javier Hernandez hit two of his own goals, the first from a Schneiderlin corner and the second was a header from a Ward-Prowse cross and that made it 2-2 at half time.

The second half was end to end, Schneiderlin, Mane and Roberto Soldado went close but Aston Villa were the side that got the last gasp winner. Grealish, who had been great all day, fed the ball to Sturridge and he played a great through ball to Roatariu who smashed the ball against the post but it hit bewildered keeper Fraser Forster and bounced into the net for Villa to win 3-2, and a deserved 3-2 victory.

Aston Villa then played Fulham away and that produced a fantastic game of football in which Villa won 4-3. Stones hammered home another penalty, making 5 penalties out of 5 for the English defender this season now. Hughes added Villa's second with a 25 yard culing effort which was out of the top drawer with Sturridge and Sterling adding the other 2 for a 4-3 victory.


Sterling scores again for Villa

Villa then smashed Porto 5-0, which has already been reported on. Villa have found out who they will play in the Europa League 1st knockout round too, which will be reported on in due course.

Villa have had a shocker against an inspired Everton side. Rondon hit Villa's only goal of the game as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat. It was a disappointing result for the Villans at home but they are entitled to a poor performance every now and then.


Rondon has been in red hot form this season

They went to West Ham in the Capital One Cup, which has also been reported on and won 4-2, a great way to bounce back from the defeat to Everton.

They then produced there best performance of the season to keep a rare clean sheet against a injury plagued Leicester City side with a Rondon double securing the points but Villa could have had a hatful with Volland, Grealish, Rakitic and Cleverley missing sitters.

The Arsenal match could prove decive this season however as Danny Welbeck had a very impressive game for the Gunners. Bernard first goal was a messy Arsenal goal for once but they all count. Welbeck threaded the ball through for Bernard to run onto but Stones tried to clear it and hit it against his own post and Bernard scuffed it home for 1-0.


Danny Welbeck was absolutely outstanding against Villa

Sterling got the equaliser however and it is one that Villa deserved. Santon moved the ball to Hughes and he lofted the ball over the defence and Sterling hit a stunning volley into the top right hand corner but Danny Welbeck was to have the last laugh. Arsenal and Villa matched each other on the day but Welbeck was a class above everyone else. He moved into the space ahead of the Villa defence and unleashed a great 25 yard shot into the corner that even Sirigu applauded once it went in. Arsenal had a just stunning victory.

Villa bounced back however by smashed SIX goals past Wigan. Sterling, Santon, Caulker, Rondon with two and Hughes with one gave Villa a stunning way to put the Arsenal match behind them.




Chelsea are still unbeaten, 5 points clear of Manchester United with one game in hand too. Everton, Arsenal and Villa are challenging for the top 4 and Spurs have improved to mid table with Liverpool off the bottom but still disappointing in 15th place.

Villa Player Of the Month

Salomon Rondon was absolutely brilliant this month. He works hard, scores plenty of goals and is liked by most the players and all the fans. The Venezuelan is back to his Villa best and McGrath will be hoping that he can keep it up for the rest of the season with Sturridge out injured.

The Month Ahead

Aston Villa could make inroads this month on the top 4 and with Reading, Palace and Swansea in the Premier League, Norwich in the F.A Cup third round and then at the end of the month they play Chelsea THREE times in a row at the end of the month in the Capital One Cup and the Premier League at the beginning of February.

The Transfer Window

Could Grealish be on his way out?

Aston Villa will sign James McCarthy in January and with speculation that Grealish will be leaving Villa will have to replace him if he goes. It is certainly going to be a big month in January for the Villans.

Manchester City Bid For Grealish

Aston Villa today turned down a offer for there superstar midfielder Jack Grealish. The offer which was thought to around just £3,800,000 with £9,000,000 in installments was turned down as totally unacceptable. In a statement issued by the Birmingham based club, it said we have today turned down a offer for Jack Grealish. The offer was nowhere near what we value the midfielder at. We are looking for a starting bid of around £29,000,000 to even think about talking to any club that would like to sign Jack. We are now not selling him to Manchester City at all.

Jack Grealish has decided to not comment on the speculation but it is thought he is happy to remain at Villa to see if they can give him the trophies that he wants to win.

There will no doubt be more on this soon.

Rondon and Peruzzi Sign New Deals

Rondon has signed a new contract at Villa Park

Aston Villa manager Paul McGrath today secured deals for two of his most important players in Salomon Rondon and Gino Peruzzi.

Rondon, who signed for Villa in the 2016/17 season has signed a contract extension until 2022/23 worth an estimated £165,000 a week.

The Venezuelan has been in fine form again this season, showing that last season's 29 goals was not a one off. A supporters spokesperson revealed that the fans are delighted with the news that Rondon will be staying and that McGrath is keeping one of the best players at the club and that is always good to tie down talent of his calibre.

It is also understood that the players love having the Venezualen around and he already has 19 goals in 28 games this season. Rondon himself was very happy to stay at the club. I am happy to have got my future sorted out. I have a very special relationship with the fans here and I can not imagine playing anywhere else now and I hope to end my career here.

Right back Gino Peruzzi has also signed a new deal at Villa Park. The defender, who is still only 25 despite seeming to have been around for a long time has signed a new 4 year deal worth £80,000 a week and the supporters are again delighted that he has joined Rondon in committing his future to The Villans and they are now looking forward to watching him play for years to come.


Peruzzi has signed a new contract

Peruzzi joined Villa for £9,750,000 from Catania in 2014 and again is very happy to be continuing under Paul McGrath, You look at this squad of players and is oozes confidence and quality said Peruzzi. We will win the title at some point, I am sure of it but this season we will win a trophy of some sort but I will be part of it and the revolution.


Yohan Cabaye has joined Besiktas in Turkey

In other news Yohan Cabaye has moved to Turkish side Besiktas for £2,100,000 freeing up a lot of wage budget for Villa, who signed James McCarthy from Everton to replace the midfielder.

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