Aron Vine’s Review…

Following a previously posted blog by a Villa fan who has bet himself into a Blues season ticket, he has sent us his first match review…

Birmingham City 1 – 0 Coventry City, by Aron Vine.

Hi guys,  I am writing again as it was part of my bet to write a match report for Joys and Sorrows.  First up, my missus said I have to own up that I’m 35, not 36.  I was thinking ‘nearly 36’ when I typed my age, and she seems to think it’s better for you Blues fans to think I’m a bad typer, rather than just bad at maths.  Ha ha.  Anyone would think I’d pretended I was younger.  Ha.  Happy now love?

I’m a Villa fan, until last season I was a season ticket holder in Trinity Road , and cutting a long story short managed to gamble my way into Saint Andrews this season.  I am just trying to convince myself I’m gaining ‘quality time’ with my Dad, who’s also a season ticket holder.  It was cheaper too!  I was a Birmingham City fan, courtesy of Dad, but my Uncle Mike took me to my first Villa match and I’ve never looked back.  Until now, though I don’t consider myself a Blues fan, more a ‘Blues observer’…

Anyway, here goes (God I can’t believe I’m doing this)

Seat: Saint Andrews Kop Stand, Block (edited by Joys and Sorrows to protect the guilty!)

Date: Saturday 13th August 2011, 3 p.m.

Match: Birmingham City vs Coventry City.

First impressions: I’d been at Saint Andrews (home end) before, but I was too young to remember much apart from standing, so a seat was nice.  I’ve also been in the Railway End as an adult twice (someone said it’s name has changed, but I can’t remember what to, sorry!)

I have to say the ground is ok, though obviously not as big as Villa Park, and – whilst you probably topped ‘our lot’ with the noise as the match started (players leaving tunnel, etc) the atmosphere was a bit lacking for my liking.  My Dad said it was ‘about the same as usual’, but suggested the lack of ‘Premier League fans’ probably dragged it down a bit.

Food: No sausage roll, so it was a hot dog.  Quite hot, so no complaints.  Quite expensive, but Villa’s food is too.

Programme: Glossy and great price.  Can’t complain about that really.

Reasons Villa are better: Premier League.  Not trying to rub it in. Not having to play Coventry.

Reasons Blues are better: Cheaper, No McLeish, shots on goal! Please don’t rub it in!  Oh and entering the pitch the atmosphere seemed better, it’s usually pretty quiet at Villa Park when I arrive.

Blues player I reckon Villa need: Stephen Carr.

Blues player Villa would never want: I’ll go for Chris Wood.  Not bad, but definitely not good enough to be a Prem striker, IMO.

Overall match rating: 5/10.  You Blues were a bit flat in the first half, second half was better, but I was looking forward to more goals after what I heard against Derby.

Did I cheer when you scored?: No.  Neither was I wearing a Blues shirt (or a hidden Villa one, before you ask!)

Am I going to Europa match?:  Am I Eck.

My Man of the Match: Does it have to be a Blues player?  If so, Stephen Carr.  He still puts a shift in for his age, doesn’t he?

If not, it’d have to be that Bigirimana (got the spelling off the prog!) he seemed to be constantly involved in the midfield.  I only really noticed Gomis in Blues’ midfield until Fahey scored.  And Gomis wasn’t all good!  I thought Wood was OK, and my Dad was disappointed Rooney wasn’t brought on for Fahey, for a 4-4-2, though he had to eat his words when Fahey scored.  Haha!

Gaz, Mike, keep my seat warm for next season!

Aron