Villa Thrash Blues

Aston Villa 5 Small Heath Alliance 1

Everything about Sunday had been great, the whole day from start to finish. The match, the atmosphere, the drubbing the opposition got, the work that had been done to make the front of the Holte End look extra classy. Everything.

That was until I heard about the death of Christopher Priest, one of our own, killed in a road traffic accident not long after the match.

Brings it all into perspective as it could have been any one of us, dodging cars, running about in a rush to get home. Whatever rumours are being spread at the moment, this isn't the time or place - I hope the Police can do their job and bring the criminal to justice.

It's no consolation at all, but I hope it was over quick, and the last thoughts he ever had were of elation and joy as he saw his favourite team win with style. He'll have some great memories.















RIP Christopher Priest.

Derby 0 Aston Villa 6

Derby County 0 Aston Villa 6

Aston Villa's biggest away win since November 1971. Only 37 years ago.

It was just about the perfect day. On the pitch, though slightly alcohol-clouded, I honestly thought we were second best until we actually scored.

Scotty Carson was getting plenty of grief from their fans over to our right, though by the end of the match it was Roy Carroll who looked the fool along with all of his Derby collegues. Quite honestly, they're one of the worst sides I've ever seen. I hope the home fans gave the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Bridge and equally hostile welcome - all far more responsible for England not being at Euro 2008.

That's taking nothing away from us, we did exactly what was needed and it was great to be witness to six different goalscorers including Stan Petrov belting one from 40 yards with his left foot!



He's fast as f*ck, he's fast as f*ck.

We looked quite clinical in front of goal, especially with the last two strikes from Gabby and Marlon. The latter of the two came over at the end of the game and left his shirt with a lucky fan at the front - he seems to be quite the favourite at the moment and very appreciative of it too.

Every player did a job. Laursen was excellent when needed, as was Freddie Bouma with a vital stop before we'd scored. I was really impressed with Nigel Reo-Coker who excelled in whatever he did and where ever he was being asked to play. Everything else ticked nicely.

Derby are a bit sad all round. I remember Dallas Cowboys fans being hammered on a local radio phone in for doing the Mexican wave in 2003. "Nobody does that anymore do they" was a continuous response. Then two years ago at the JJB, Wigan fans showed the sad trend was still alive - I thought I'd seen the last of it.

...Till yesterday. Derby County 2008 doing the Mexican wave. There is "Gallows humour" and there is sadness. You make your mind up which it is.

On the alcohol side of the day things went rather well. A few drinks on the train up and then we went to a "Harvester type place". It was totally packed and a much better option than the grim looking boozer opposite the Station. Everywhere around the ground is very new, and simlar to Bolton and Wigan - it was alright actually.

Anyway, several pints and Vodka's later we headed off with ten minutes to kick off. We did miss the first few minutes but hey ho.

A very, very good day out. Finding out that Fulham and Bolton had won was a bonus and leads is nicely into next week. Same result again please....

Birmingham Arrests

Birmingham City Council have issued a statement:-

"As Birmingham City FC have brought the good name of the City into disrepute we have requested that they henceforth revert to their previous name of Small Heath Alliance"

Alliance & Leicester Plc have objected on the grounds of their name being besmirched.The club has been asked to revert to their previous name of Small Heath Town FC

Councillor M. S. Jaspal(Heath Town, Wolverhampton) has objected on the grounds of the reputation of his ward being besmirched.

The club will were to be known as Small FC until KFC also objected on the grounds of their trading name being besmirched.

The club will henceforth be known as Small. Statement ends.

If former Villa left-back Bryan Small, or Mr Small (of Mr Men fame) were to also lodge complaints then Small Heath as they were known would be nameless.

A further statement followed from the club:-

Shares were suspended in Birmingham City Football Club this morning amid fears of financial meltdown at the West Midlands club.

Birmingham have confirmed that, following the flop of the Rabbbitron Master Stroke 450i, they are unable to meet the players wages and an emergency board meeting has been scheduled in HMP Winson Green for later this afternoon.

A club insider said: "We all knew it was a shit product and to tie the future financial success of the club to it was dangerous. Hopefully Mr Egg Foo Yung will step in and save us".

Birmingham have yet to officially confirm the story although rumours abound that this is beacuse they are still trying to find a club representative with the power of speech. Statement ends.

Another statement was soon released by the West Midlands Police Press Assc:-

Police have been left in a state of dildo confusion after arresting Birmingham City Football Club co-owner David Sullivan and the club's minging director Karen Brady.

The pair have been questioned by City of London Police on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting.

Sullivan, who has amassed a fortune worth a reported six hundred million pounds, mainly from the largest chain of sex shops in the UK, is alleged to have brandished a dildo at officers who turned up to question him.

Sixteen dildo's were removed from his pockets before entering the police station.

Fearing similar behavior from Brady, who had apparently 'just got out of bed' and turned up for questioning in 'a foul mood' cops decided to body check the managing director for similar weaponary.

Although only two love eggs and a banana were found inside her jacket pocket, shocked cops managed to slide from her grizzly poontang what appeared to be a similar dildo to the one Mr. Sullivan had earlier brandished.

"You don't wanna be hit on the head with one of those things" said PC Richards, "I've seen a grown man knocked off his feet from the swing of a dildo".

To the cops surprise, the dildo began talking.

"We were shocked. You see alot in this job, but being spoken to by a slimy dildo was a first".

Taped to a chair in the questioning room, the dildo introduced himself as Derby County striker Paul Peschidildo, the husband of Karen Brady.

Investigations into the business dealings of Brady and Sullivan continue. The dildo was released without charge. Statement Ends

If this whole case goes to court, will Liam Ridgewell be acting for the defence? Bless em. I can happily say that I can't wait for April 20th now!

Drumming Danny

Heading For Pride Park - Derby Away

The Bolton win was so important.

We have to finish in a position where we can get those two Intertoto games because European football is a must for next season.

After many, many years of never missing games I'm almost embarrassed to say that Derby away next week will only be my second game of the season. I'm looking forward to it, I need a break away if only for a few hours to enjoy Hatemanu's alcoholic company for the day!

I'm going to miss kick-boxing though. I've really enjoyed my time there and the last few lessons all round have been excellent. AFCMPT is a fantastic club, with instuctors who I respect massively and brilliant students with great ability that I'd love to have myself.

So between 11am-2pm I'll be getting bladdered instead of getting fit - but it's only for one week - I promise Sir!!

Daniel's Drums

Well, Daniel is not far away from being three now and it's been a little while since I documented his progress.

His learning skills have come on leaps and bounds, especially with letters and numbers and his memory seems like a sponge with little details being remembered all the time.

He can tell us when to stop and go at the traffic lights now too!



Still loves his music - his CD has been updated to include "The Wombats - Let's Dance To Joy Division" and "EMF - Children" both of which he likes on again and again. He sings along to the "So Happy" line from The Wombats and also mimmicks the Police siren on the EMF track.

He seems to enjoy everything on CBeebies at the moment. Lazy Town, Get Sqiggling, Space Pirates, Lunar Jim - he'd watch it all day if he was allowed!! His favourite film is "Monsters Inc" which again, he'd watch every day if he could!

He makes us laugh so much at times. Yesterday when I saw Cheltenham had taken the lead against Northampton I said "Yes, come on Cheltenham" - to which he replied "No Daddy - Come On Villa" - he's been tought too well.

Then later when Villa conceded the second at Old Trafford I mumbled a rather depressed sentence to which he put his arm on my shoulder and said "Oh Daddy what's the matter" - I said Villa were losing and he replied "Oh no, what we gonna do?" Martin O'Neill was probably thinking the same thing at the time!

So now his third birthday approaches.....

"Bar.gif"

Kickboxing Grading

Yesterday was actually an assessment wrapped within a grading.

Five of us stayed on the floor for around two and a half hours which involved three seperate standard gradings for all the other different coloured belts.

It was hard going (always is for me!) but still enjoyable all the same. The grading was taken by Mr Andrew Champion who I know very well from Taekwondo and who I respect hugely, like all the other instructors. He's great, especially with the little ones with the skill to make them feel at ease but still get the discipline and etiquette into them at the same time.

I think I did OK, probably only struggling with one combination which invloved spinning twice - after five of those the room had gone quite a pretty colour I can tell you! My left elbow and left foot were giving me a bit of grief (paralysed down my left hand side!!) but I wasn't making any excuses at all and could worry about a bit of pain after it was all finished.

Daniel actually tried on my head guard yesterday and then wouldn't give it me back! I can't wait till Mr Paradine and Mr Carter are teaching him and giving him the grounding I never had an opportunity to have at his age.