The long awaited day was upon us and I found myself having to get up early on a Sunday morning because the television companies and the strong arm of the law between them had deemed that the time honoured tradition of football matches kicking off at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon should be changed whenever it suits them. Yes, I realise it’s all about money and ‘elf and safety’ but it still grates with me I’m afraid. I hate having to watch matches on Friday nights, Sunday mornings and Monday evenings; it spoils the whole ambience of the league activity as a whole for me. Nothing any of us say will change it that’s for sure so I’ll stop griping and get on with telling you all what I think about yesterday. Mrs Bazza had already given me the third degree about going all the way to Brum when I could sit and watch it on the telly with the lads. I was unable to take them with me on this occasion as this season I only have one season ticket as both my boys are at University or college and can’t make many games making it not worthwhile. I certainly wasn’t going to fork out £48.00 each for a ticket even if I may have been able to get a concession for one of them. It was on that basis that I wasn’t expecting St Andrews to be full; a distinct disadvantage to the Blues at times like this; if members of the present board are listening get this; WORKING LADS CANNOT AFFORD THESE PRICES!

The only advantage of travelling to the match on a Sunday morning is that most law abiding citizens are enjoying a lie in, a bacon sarnie, a read of the Sunday newspapers, making love and for the righteous attending a place of holy worship. It meant of course that my journey along the motorway network was uneventful and I arrived at 10.45 in plenty of time to go buy a new shirt of the faithful and grab a quick drink before kick off.

The ground had a few more in than I thought given the expense and the fact that the match was televised. We had set up 4-5-1 with O’Connor up top and we were solid. I thought we passed the ball around OK and kept the majority of the possession. Interestingly, one radio reporter after the game described the afternoon’s events as far from a classic with the quality of the passing from both sides as ‘laughable’ at times. I would agree with the first statement but not the second which I felt was a bit harsh. Midland clubs never get a fair hearing anyway so do I look bovvered? It was a tight game with few chances but both sides had them with Villa’s a little more clear cut. Overall, Blues were solid and could be satisfied with their first half efforts. The pattern of the game continued in the second period with neither side really threatening but Blues work rate and probing just about giving them the edge. Martin O’Neil changed things midway through the half replacing Reo-Coker who had been largely anonymous with John Carew. This was a worrying development as events were later to prove. We awaited the introduction of our own not so secret weapon; Chucho Benitez alongside O’Connor to give us more threat and try and win the game. The minutes ticked by and it was with thirteen minutes to go (twenty minutes too late in my view) that the change we had all been calling for finally happened. However, it was to replace O’Connor not help him. This I felt was a tactical mistake. I understand that Alex McCleish didn’t want to lose the match but Villa’s substitution was a positive one and they were clearly going for it; ours was half-hearted, more in hope than expectation of nicking the points but accepting the 0 – 0 draw that looked increasingly likely. The rest is history; the softest of free kicks which Howard Webb, who had had a good game, bought all too readily on our right flank 35 yards out gave me that horrible premonition. Blues had defended brilliantly all afternoon and had kept Villa to their no attempts on target until 75 minutes when Sidwell’s header was saved at the near post by Hart. This was the opportunity to snatch disaster from triumph by allowing two free headers from Carew and Agbondlahor in succession. The ball of course ended up the the bottom corner of the Gil Merrick stand’s net to the rapture of 3000 Vilers behind the goal. We huffed and puffed after that and chased the game recklessly as we had to, substituting the substitute Carsley who had come on for McFadden’s injury at half time with Kevin Phillips. The newly formed Villa rearguard of Dunne, Collins, Warnock and Cuellar were excellent all afternoon and there was no breaching them on this occasion.

I hope and pray that my verdict on this game is not going to become a recurring theme. Blues played well and didn’t deserve to lose the game. A draw would have been an eminently fair result as was the case at Spurs and arguably Manchester United. There is no point in picking up plaudits for our at times excellent midfield play, defensive organisation and hard work only to lose games by the odd goal. We have to provide threat at some stage and score goals otherwise we are not going to win many football matches. As for Villa; well done to them though it irks me to say it; they can enjoy the moment for now but revenge is sweet and ultimately it will be served up cold. We are a proud club with proud fans. This Blues fan will take this defeat with dignity and it will make the win for us when it inevitably arrives one to savour.

KRO SOTV