Bradford on verge of Capital One cup final!

Bradford City stunned Aston Villa to take a stranglehold in their Capital One Cup semi-final, following the 3-1 victory at Valley Parade this evening.

Carl McHugh's 88th minute header ensured Bradford go to Villa Park with a two goal buffer and give them the ultimate chance of producing the unlikeliest of cup finalists.

Nekhi Wells gave Bradford the early goal a shock usually requires and as Villa missed a host of chances, the League Two side punished them as Rory McArdle's header made it 2-0. Andi Weimann pulled Villa back in the match; however the Bantams two goal lead was restored via McHugh.

A place in the final isn't guaranteed for Bradford, however Paul Lambert will be furious that his side appear to have blown an amazing opportunity for a date at Wembley.

As for Bradford, Phil Parkinson who was given the boot by both Hull and Charlton has masterminded an incredible achievement, and whatever happens in the return leg, this run will go down as one of the finest in living memory.

Parkinson has guided Bradford to 8th in League Two

Aston Villa actually came out the quicker, and with Charles N'Zogbia consistently finding space, an early goal for the Villains looked inevitable; however the usually reliable Christian Benteke couldn't convert two very presentable chances that fell his way.

Despite their slow start, very much against the run of play, Bradford opened the scoring through Wells.

Joe Bennett conceded the cheapest of corners, and despite dealing with the original dead ball, Zavon Hines was first to the cleared header, and his shot was deflected perfectly into the path of Bradford's leading goalscorer who beat Shay Given with an assured finish.

Wells gave Bradford the ideal platform 

Bradford nearly doubled their lead from another corner and Hanson was only denied by Fabian Delph's clearance off the line.

The League Two's greatest threat came from down the right, with the former West Ham winger Zavon Hines giving Bennett a torrid time. And one of his many deliveries nearly brought about a second goal, however Hanson headed into the ground over.

N'Zogbia was behind every good Villa did, and he created another chance for the Premier League side, but Gabriel Agbonlahor shot straight at Duke from in and around the penalty spot.

Villa again started the half the quicker, but a poor touch from Ciaran Clark meant the centre half couldn't get a shot away despite the freedom of the six-yard box.

On another evening Benteke could've had a hat-trick, however Duke produced his best save of the evening following a diving header from the Belgian international. 

Darren Bent arrived around the hour mark and was guilty of not leveling the tie, following a shocking miss! For the first time in the game Duke was at fault following a poor spillage from a N'Zogbia shot, and with the goal gaping, Bent headed over from all of two yards.

Incredibly Bradford scored a second through McArdle. Captain Gary Jones's corner was cleared back to him, and his delivery was perfect for the McArdle to show the £24million Bent how to head home!

Hanson who won pretty much ever header that was put in the penalty box from open play almost made it 3-0, but his effort clipped the bar and went out for a goal kick.

With time running out, Villa were in desperate need of a lifeline, and the in-form Weimann gave them exactly that! Benteke's knock down from a long ball was perfect for the Austrian who beat Duke to the ball before slotting it home to give Villa the goal they merited.

Amazingly the scoring hadn't ended, and McHugh scored Bradford's third of the evening, heading superbly home from another pinpoint Jones set piece.

The third goal stunned Lambert's side, and even when four minutes of extra time were signaled, Villa didn't look like reducing the arrears and for the majority of the overtime the ball was in the Villa half.

Few gave Bradford a chance of eliminating another Premier League side given the two legged factor, however come the return leg at Villa Park, the League Two side may even be slight favourites. 

Mid table for a new look Villa

It wasn't a massive surprise to see Villa part company with Alex McLeish following a terrible end to the season which saw them only realistically secure their Premier League survival in their penultimate game with a 1-1 draw with Spurs. Another Scot was brought into replace ‘Big Eck’ in the form of Paul Lambert following an incredible three years with Norwich City. Lambert took no time to dive into the Eredivisie with the additions of Karim El Ahmadi and more importantly the Dutch centre half Ron Vlaar.

Villa started the previous campaign well, going seven games unbeaten and come the middle of the season they occupied the middle of the Premier League; however once Darren Bent’s season was finished prematurely due to injury away at Wigan in and around the same time the impressive Robbie Keane’s loan deal expired, Villa struggled to score goals and only won one of the last 16 matches. All season the club only won seven games, with only bottom club Wolves only winner fewer, leaving most Villa fans praying for the end of the season and the departure of their unpopular manager.

It’s a really big season for the likes of Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton whom have to put their inconsistency behind them and fulfil their obvious potential if Villa are to have a good season. Having lost Ashley Young and Stewart Downing last season, Bannan and Albrighton have the credentials to ensure big money isn’t needed in an attempt to replace the creativity Villa lacked last season. If these two youngsters aren’t ready then Steven Ireland will have to re-discover his Manchester City form.

Key player – Darren Bent It’s fair to say Villa missed their £24million striker when the England international’s ankle injury finished his season at the end of February. In the 38 Premier League games played for the Villa since his arrival in the January transfer window of 2011, the former Spurs man has 18 goals, and the burden will lay heavily on him to be in and around the 20 goals, which he has consistently done at this level.

Villa will need Bent's goals if they are to have a successful season

Verdict – 11^th Paul Lambert’s first season in charge won’t see them challenge for Europe, but it really is about rebuilding at the club, and their young manager is the right man. Expect an improvement in the style of football at Villa Park and maybe a good cup run.

View from a fan – @Studav19

What would be an ideal season?
After last season I’d be very happy with a decent cup run as well as challenging for Europe

What would be a nightmare season?
A nightmare would definitely be finishing lower than last season and being relegated to the Championship.

Have you got the right manager?
I believe Lambert is the right man for the job. Given the backing he really can wake the sleeping giant that is Villa over the next 2-3 years.

Which other Premier League player would you like to sign?
There’s too many! But realistically a good one would be Adam Johnson

How key is a fit Darren Bent to achieving your clubs goals this season?
If his head and heart is in it he’ll be a huge bonus to us this season but he needs the support.

Are there any young players we should look out for this season?
I’m a huge fan of Nathan Baker, he’s a very good young centre half. Also Nathan Delfouneso may find his form under Lambert. 

Villa are in trouble of being dragged into the relegation dog fight?

In 2009 Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-1 under Martin O'Neill and despite never really being in contention to qualify for the Champions League that season, the previous two seasons they were genuinely close to finishing fourth in the Barclays Premier League.

The team they fielded that day was as follows: Brad Friedel, Carlos Cuellar, Richard Dunne, James Collins, Stephen Warnock, James Milner, Steve Sidwell, Stiliyan Petrov, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew.



Fast forward to Saturdays Aston Villa side that, all be it bravely, lost to Chelsea: Shay Given, Eric Lichaj, James Collins, Nathan Baker, Stephen Warnock, Gary Gardner, Chris Herd, Barry Bannan, Stephen Ireland, Andres Weimann, Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Not only has the side changed completely, its changed for the worse. The former European Cup winners have gone from top four contenders to relegation candidates.

Less then three years apart are these matches, and only three of the Aston Villa side that beat Chelsea, the champions of the league that season, played on Saturday. Them three (Collins, Warnock and Agbonlahor) are all out of form and nowhere near as good as they were three years ago.

Looking at the Villa side that lost on Saturday there are no leaders. Local boy Agbonlahor captained the side. He is not a leader.

Despite captaining the side on the weekend, Agbonlahor's form has been poor since the turn of the year

I appreciate Villa have lots of injuries; however the side that lost on the weekend is poor (Barry Bannan, Stephen Ireland and Shay Given aside)

It's fair to say McLeish wasn't the fans number one choice to replace the retiring Gerard Houllier. And despite a decent start to the season, they've won just seven league games this season, collecting just 16 points at Villa Park.



If things wasn't bad enough for Villa, their football this season has been dire. Though Roberto Martinez rejected Aston Villa, if the club really wanted him, they could have got him. There was the chance to bring in a young manager who could be at the club for years and genuinely approach the game in the right manor. However Villa took the easy option and appoint someone who has been there and done it, despite just an OK track record in England.

In December of this season Villa went to Stamford Bridge and played them off the pitch in a 3-1 win. The next game they lost 2-0 at home to Swansea. What is the point of winning at Stamford Bridge if you can't win at home against of QPR, Swansea, Wolves and West Brom? Their inconsistency is there for all to see, something even mirrored in the managers past who won the Carling Cup with Birmingham last year; however they ended up being relegated to the Championship.

Currently Aston Villa sit three places above the drop zone; however the difference between them and QPR is just three points. The club are in trouble make no mistake about it, and I can't see them getting ANY points from their next three matches (Liverpool away, Stoke home, Manchester United away).

Villa's remaining fixtures (predictions in brackets)

Liverpool away (loss)

Stoke home (loss)

Manchester United away (loss)

Sunderland home (draw)

Bolton home (win)

West Brom away (loss)

Tottenham home (loss)

Norwich away (draw)

The bottom five sides (with the exemption of Wolves) are in decent form, Aston Villa are not and the Midlands club are worryingly looking over their shoulders. With just 10 points from their last 10 games (most of them favourable fixtures), Villa are in poor form and despite me writing a piece about last week about the bottom five, for me now its a bottom six.

I think the five points I've predicted them to get from their remaining fixtures will be enough to keep Villa in the league; however the club should never have been dragged into the dog fight to remain in the Barclays Premier League. I feel the club at the end of the season should relieve their manager of his duties and attempt to bring in either Brendan Rodgers, Owen Coyle or Paul Lambert.

Why Alex Mcleish will bring success to Villa.

Despite not being the most popular appointment of the season, Alex Mcleish will do a good job with Villa.

Under Houllier Aston Villa's main problem was keeping clean sheets, partly due to the Frenchmans fall out with key defender Richard Dunne, however Mcleish's teams have always been defensively good and the Scott has a great eye for a good defender, capturing the likes of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, with the laters injury a key reason in why Birmingham were relegated.

Birmingham City only registered 75 goals in their last two Premiership seasons, less then a goal per game mainly down to the fact Mcleish never had a goalscorer in the team. Cameron Jerome was their top scorer in their impressive first season back in the Premiership, however in their second season most of their goals came from midfield with Craig Gardner leading the way with just eight. Yet when Mcleish starts his reign with Aston Villa, he knows he has a centre forward at the club who guarentees goals in Darren Bent meaning the Scott can spend the money from the Ashley Young sale for defensive additions, where his knowledge is broader.

With their lack of goals came a lack of fluid attacking play, earning Mcleish a reputation of playing dull football. Despite the creative likes of Stewart Downing, Stephen Ireland and the aformentioned Bent, Mcleish isn't expected to change his mentalitity. The question is will the fans adapt to a more win at all costs style of football which may not be pretty to watch.

After a Carling Cup success with Birmingham City last year Mcleish has proven he has what it takes to win silverwear, something Villa haven't achieved since the 1994 League cup success over Manchester United, a stat Villa will be desperately hoping to bring an end to after being put in the shade by their rivals cup success.

An added bonus for Villa this year is the lack of European competition. With the likes of Fulham and Stoke, two sides who finished in and around the midlands club last year, the heavy fixture list will have an affect on their relatively small squads. Whereas Aston Villa don't have to play every Thursday and Sunday meaning their squad will be fresher then most.

Despite two relegations with Birmingham, the Scotts CV reads well, with success at all three Scottish clubs he managed, notably at Rangers where he ended the Celtic dominance under Martin O'Neil, ironically the man who took Aston Villa from the obscurity of the lower regions of the Premiership to the verge of Champions League football. After narrowly missing out on Euro 2008 with the Scottish national side, Mcleish joined Birmingham where the Scott endured a rollercoaster of a ride culminating in two relegations, a highest league finish in 30 years, a promotion as well as their Carling cup truimph.

The last year for Aston Villa has been very chaotic, with five different men at the reign, and with Mcleish comes stability and given money and reassurances that the likes of Downing won't follow Young out the door, it could be a very good season for the Villa. The appointment may neither have been the boards or the fans first choice, yet it could turn out to be an inspired one.

A man under instant pressure to succeed