City
2 Aston Villa1 - FA Cup 5th Round replay
March 14th 2006 att. 33,006
For
the first time in 13 years City have reached the 6th round of the FA Cup after
their 7th home win on the trot. City will now meet the winners of the replay between
Bolton and West Ham a game alas I shall miss because of a previous engagement.
I just could not believe a such an important cup game was going to be played on
the Monday following a Saturday League fixture - not even for television. How
wrong I was! The game against Villa was easier than the score suggests with all
the City side playing their part in an excellent display - both Musampa and Riera
having good games -the latter probably his best for the club so far.
With
Distin still absent Richards retained his place at the centre of defence,. Reyna
dropped to the bench.
Georgios
Samaras soon made his mark on the game as City took the initiative and pressurized
the Villa defence
Baros
looked to be in a dangerous position after three minutes but Richard's defended
well to keep the City goal intact
City
responded well and the Villa defence was kept busy
After
6 minutes Samaras had a good chance but his shot...............
.........
was easily saved by Sorensen in the Villa goal
Riera
was next to have a go but his shot missed the target.
After
9 minutes Sinclair passed to Samaras who controlled the ball well but his shot
went well over the bar
Jordan
about to tackle Baros
Richards
keeps a tight grip on Baros!
Sorensen
makes a difficult save under pressure from Vassell
City
took the lead after 16 minutes. Samaras broke down the left following a long ball
from Riera and had his first shot well blocked by Sorensen.........
........but
luckily for the Greek the ball came back for him to have a second go and he made
no mistake with his right foot and City were one up.
Samaras
was coming in for some heavy tackling and 4th official Rennie had to hold back
Stuart Pearce on the touch line
A
tackle by Jordan resulting in a harsh free kick
Stung
by the goal Villa came back at City but with City's back four giving David James
plenty of support the City keeper did not have to make too many saves.
After
35 minutes City nearly went two up. Good play by Riera let in Jordan whose cross
ball was only just missed by the onrushing Barton
A
couple of minutes later and Sinclair missed a great chance when he only had the
keeper to beat. Sorensen's foot saved the day for Villa
Villa
defend a City corner
Musampa
is now in his element in midfield and apart from the odd error he is in good form.
Shame he got himself booked for giving the referee too much lip.
Jihai
Sun was always in the thick of the action and although his positional play was
sometimes at fault he gave 101%
Kevin
Phillips does some leg exercises.
James
punches clear from Luke Moore
Early
in the second half City went further ahead. A cross from the right was not cleared
by the Villa defence
It
eventually came out to Riera whose shot came to ex Villa player Darius Vassell
who easily scored from close range
Though
the Vila defence appealed for offside the goal stood and City were in a strong
position..two up and bossing the game.
Sibierski
who came on at half time for Samaras in a duel with Ridgewell
James
collects... well protected by Sun
James
now became a little busy as Villa desperate to get back in the match raised their
game
After
85 minutes Villa scored through Davis just 30 seconds after I had remarked to
some colleagues that Villa hadn't got a goal in them! I shall have to keep my
big mouth shut!
With
only minutes to go Villa threw everybody into attack - even Sorensen came up for
a corner
Villa
did score but the ref's whistle had already gone so City took the ball to the
corner flag to play out time and the crowd went home happy and no doubt checking
the route to Cardiff!
A shame only 33,000 were here to see this City display.
The missing ones will find it difficult to believe that the left wing of Musampa
and Riera were stronger than the right one of Sinclair and Barton. Thank goodness
Barton missed out on the yellow cards referee Dowd was giving out like confetti.
The game was not that dirty. Yes there were clashes but I've seen a lot worse.
The referee did not help matters when he stopped the game towards the end to book
a Villa player just as City had a great advantage. Surely he could have let play
continue and book the player later. It will be interesting to see who plays against
Wigan on Saturday. Chances for Ireland, Croft and BWP perhaps.
The
one minute applause before the game was a fitting tribute to the recent passing
of Roy 'Nobby' Clarke who I saw make his debut in June 1947
Team
James
7 : Sun 6.5 , Dunne 8, Richards 7, Jordan 7: Sinclair 7, Barton 7, Musampa 8,
Riera 8.5 : Vassell 8, Samaras 8 (Sibierski 7)
