One thought as I looked through the options from the bench during the half time break – if Steve Taylor or Colo take a knock we could end up with a back four of Simpson, Perch, R Taylor and Colo/ S Taylor. That is a very worrying prospect. Surely Kadar on the bench would be a safer option?
I wouldn’t mind seeing Marveaux get some extended playing time in the final 45. Maybe Sam Ameobi too.
46 – Ball played into Agbonlahor’s feet. He easily brushes Simpson off the ball, swivels and shoots wide. Most of the ground thought it was 2 v 0.
49 – The linesman gives a free kick for an imaginary foul on Bannan. Fortunately Krul takes it easily.
52 – Tiote robbed by Bent 25 yards from goal – he really needs to stop lingering on the ball. Fortunately S Taylor and Colo mop up and clear the danger.
55 – Tiote caught in possession on the half way line – Bent breaks and crosses but Krul again claims easily.
56 – One of these days Cabaye is going to score a world class goal – Obertan plays a sideways pass and his lash is saved by Given.
56 – GGGOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Leon Best! Fantastic cross in by Tiote from the left. Besty gets his nut on it, Given saves but Leon knocks in the rebound. 1 v 1 and more than deserved.
I might be wrong with this stat, but I am sure that is Bestys 9th goal in 13 league starts.
60 – The heavens have opened and it is pouring down! I wonder if that will have any impact on the game.
62 – Petrov booked for a foul on Best 25 yards from goal. It looks like that one has hurt our goal scorer. RT lines it up and this time it is Ryan Taylor over the wall. Unfortunately its over the cross bar too.
66 – Demba Ba has looked pretty good today. He collects the ball, dummies smartly and strikes a shot that Given saves.
67 – Bannan and Petrov off, Ireland and Albrighton on. The Villa fans aren’t impressed so they aim a few BOOOO’s at the former Birmingham gaffa. A few boo’s from the away end aimed at Ireland too. One of the most pointless signings in Newcastle United history and there have been a few!
68 – Best off, Shola on. Leon clearly didn’t recover from the injury sustained when Petrov was booked.
71 – Steve Taylor miscues and Bent is through. Krul rushes from his line and Bent lobs him but it’s a poor effort that Steve Taylor gets back in to clear.
74 – Flashes of lightening overhead and it looks like a storm is brewing. I assume this is the result of a microclimate caused by having two Ameobi’s so close together.
76 – N’Zogbia skips past a couple of players and whips the ball across the area. Well defended.
78 – Cabaye over runs the ball and loses it. Tiote then cuts out a through ball but plays it straight to Albrighton who shoots wide of Krul’s left hand post.
79 – Ba off, Marveaux on. Ba can be pleased with his efforts today. He is improving and looking a bit more like the player I was expecting.
80 – N’Zogbia plays a short corner to Albrighton who crosses and Krul does well to punch clear under pressure.
82 – A long throw from Ryan Taylor is chested down by Shola and well struck at goal by Cabaye. Given saves, though I don’t think it would have stood as there was a whistle.
85 – Jonas off, Sam Ameobi on. Bent off, Delfonueso on. Bent had two superb chances and blew both of them. That’s why he’s not England class.
85 – Another cracking strike from Cabaye and it ends with something I have seen hundreds of times before – a phenomenal Shay Given save!
86 – Sam Ameobi netted a brilliant goal chipping Given from a very difficult angle way out left. Unfortunately play was stopped for yet another Villa free kick but it looked good all the same!
89 – Obertan absolutely skins Warnock knocking the ball round him one way and chasing after it around the other. It doesn’t come to anything but it was a nice bit of skill.
90 – Marveaux plays the ball to Cabaye who opts to shoot from the angle when there were players lining up for the pass! I will let him off though, he’s been brilliant today.
In summary:
A very, very encouraging performance. We totally bossed the game and Cabaye was once again outstanding. Admittedly it wasn’t the most exciting game I’ve ever seen, but I wasn’t sure that we would take anything out of this so I am pleased with the point and the performance.
The crowd? 34,248 – the biggest crowd of the season at Villa Park(!) and many of them prefer booing to cheering as they demonstrated at full time.
Follow me on Twitter @MarcSDuffy
Follow ESPNsoccernet's Football Correspondents on Twitter and Facebook
Marc Duffy is a National Account Manager in the alcoholic drinks industry - a career in alcohol was obviously the natural step after following Newcastle United for all of his 32 years. Marc blames his father for his obsession with Newcastle United - since attending his first game at the age of 4 Marc has endured many ups and downs, and despite the lack of silverware remains positive that a trophy will be won at some point in his lifetime! (Wait, does the Intertoto cup not count?) Follow Marc on Twitter @MarcSDuffy
RSS feed