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The blame has to partly go to Roeder. He got his formation totally wrong and when he did finally bring on Labant he kept the same system.
We went 1-0 up after about 12 minutes through a penalty. Some good work from Defoe lead to him being chopped down in the box and penalty being given. Di Canio stepped up and put the ball in the back of the net. There was more dissapointment that di canio scored from our supporters than there was from Villa's.
After that goal we looked very shaky and Angel scored soon after with a soft header. Our defence once again looked crap and they couldn't seem to deal with the crosses coming in. After they equalised our supporters went very quiet and it was like being at Upton Park: "We only sing when were winning".
Villa attacked more and more and we kept giving away free kick after free kick. So when half time came I was pleased not to go in losing.
I was hoping that we would change it in the second half but we didn't. And looked just as bad. We gave the ball away too much.
To our credit when we attacked with Sinclair, Defoe and Di Canio we looked good. And there were patches in the 2nd half where we might of nicked a goal. But there were never more than people in the box. In fact I think only Defoe was actually in the box when we attacked.
Di Canio drifted out to the wings where he was looked quite good but only in patches. Just like the rest of the team. Garcia proved once again to me that he will never make it at this level - he just looked out of his depth. And he was replaced with about 25 mins to go when Labant came on.
Villa pushed forward more. And we were dealing with there attacks. But only just. We gave away so many silly free kicks. Although the ref (Barber) was very picky.
We had a few chances - Cole with the most notable when he shot straight at Schmeichel after good work from Labant and Di Canio on the left. But that was about it.
Oh apart from we had 2 minutes of injry time and in the 2nd minute Villa scored from a cross which was tapped in by Darius Vassell. It was the dreadful Ian Pearce who was caught out and we paid for it.
I have no idea why Kanoute wasn't playing as i haven't checked yet - but if we had of had him today I do believe things may of been different. Although Defoe did run his heart out - but the long balls were just not for him.
Once again we go into a home game saying "we have got to win this one" And I have no doubts that we will - but a slip up could put us in big big trouble with games against Man Utd And Arsenal to follow Everton on Wednesday.
Another away game - Another Defeat.
Overall - Crap. Same old story.
Player ratings
James 7 - Made a few important saves and looked good in the air. A commanding performance.
Schemmel 6 - Didn't get forward enough and when he did he looked a little slow and was poor.
Repka 6 - Looked a little shaky. Won a lot of balls in the air though.
Dailly 6 - Gave 100% today. Made some important interceptions.
Pearce 5 - Looked slow and unfit. I think we noticed this in the game against Boro' but as we won it was overlooked. Need a few more reserve matches. At fault for Villa's winner.
Winterburn 6 - I hardly noticed him today. Which I suppose is a good thing for a defender.
Cole 6 - Over-ran in midfield but he was the only centre midfielder we were playing with.
Sinclair 6 - Trevor worked hard but got lost at times in the second half. He along with Di Canio were our main source of attack in the 1st half.
Garcia 5 - Started well but then drifted out of the game. He is not the answer.
Defoe 6 - He ran his heart out and tried to win every high ball but we should not play long ball to him. Won the penalty but not really in the game.
Di Canio 7 - What should i say that doesn't provoke people going off on one about him? Every attack we made was down to him. If he didn't have the ball we didn't go forward. Scored the goal - all be it a penalty. But if he had of missed then the crowd would of all been slagging him (oh and jumping up in the air).
Subs
Labant 5 (on for Garcia) - did nothing of note.