There are lessons football could learn from other sports

During the recent game between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, one of the most exciting players in the Premiership went on a majestic run which produced one of the goals of season so far.

Half way through Gareth Bale’s run Villa defender Carlos Cuellar had a chance to tackle him. Due to Bale’s superior skill and cumbersome defending he failed to do so and the Welsh wizard went on to show typical poise in making Rafael Van Der Vaart’s excellent match winning goal.

Sky Sports very own Andy Gray, the master of hindsight himself, implored Carlos Cuellar to “foul” Gareth Bale, in his typically sporting manner. Ignoring Gray's advice, Cuellar tried and failed to win the ball. The rest is history.

Rather than opting to scythe down Bale he tried to play within the laws of the game and personally, I would rather he tried to do that than commit an innocuous looking trip, which so often scupper counter attacks which can produce fantastic goals. I’m thinking of a certain goal by Wayne Rooney last season at The Emirates.

So often Gray will pipe up about how it is “a good foul” and “worth a yellow card” when a player is bought down by an opposing player who realises his side is in trouble. It’s cheating but we all know that professional footballers will exploit every opportunity they have to insure their side don’t concede a good goal. God forbid.

What follows usually is the game slowing down, the team who conceded the foul argue with the referee, eventually the offending player gets a yellow card and in the mean time they get eleven men behind the ball. Potential counter-attack over. No exciting end to end football. Snore snore snore.

Typically FIFA take no interest in such apparent minor issues, or any issues other than boosting Sepp Blatter’s ego for that matter, but another sport recently implemented a new law which I feel would go a long way to adding excitement to a game which is constantly slowed down by the sly fouls Gray commends.

Field Hockey, not the kind played in ice skates, introduced the 'Self-pass rule' in 2009 and fouled players are now allowed to pick themselves up and take a free kick instantly to themselves. They don’t have to pass it to a team mate, no waiting for players to get ten yards away. The ball is continuously in play and the game flows much better.

In Rugby Union, players have been able to do this for years and while they don’t always choose to, when they do the game is played at a much higher tempo and is much more exciting for spectators.

There is no farce of having to clear it with the referee or waiting for players to be ten yards away. Remember the stir caused when Thierry Henry used to take a quick free-kick and embarrass a goalkeeper. It’s perfectly within the rules now but a rare occurrence because players need to clear a quick free kick with the referee taking it.

Not the case in Hockey and as a free kick is supposed to be to the advantage of the team taking it, why should it be?

It shouldn’t be a yellow card, if the referee even bothers to give it, and an opportunity for the team committing the foul to recover from a potentially threatening situation.

FIFA are constantly belligerent in their attitude towards goal-line technology, with one of their main grievances being that they feel technology would “slow the game down too much”. At the same time they do nothing about something apparently so minor which constantly slows the game down.

Imagine the excitement if a player like Lionel Messi could just jump up and carry on dribbling the ball when he was hauled down on the edge of the box. How much more end-to-end would games be if every time someone went past Alex Song, John Obi Mikel or Lee Catermole, they didn’t just trip them up and let their side get back into position?

Fans want more goals and FIFA apparently do too. The last World Cup final was boring because of constant fouling which slowed the game down ridiculously. Spain, the best team in the world by far, nearly lost because the flow of the game was constantly interrupted.

If for once FIFA were less archaic and put a little thought into the things which mar the game week in week out, it would become an even more exciting spectacle.

This particular rule change might even be able to save make up the seconds spent checking a goal-line replay.

Levy row threatens to get ugly

11 November 2010
by Matt Rumble

SHROPSHIRE owner Jon Glews believes the Cheltenham Festival should be abandoned for a year as the row over horse racing funding continues.

It was announced yesterday that the Levy Board’s contribution to racing would decrease by a further £10 million to around £60 million for 2011.

The board, who determine how much bookmakers should contribute to Horse racing for the right to take bets on the sport, have been at loggerheads with the racing industry for a number of years over how much they should pay.

A deadline for a decision passed on 31 October, which means the government are now stepping in to arbitrate.

Glews, who has a number of horses trained at Donald McCain Jnr’s yard, believes strike action is now necessary to force bookmakers to negotiate.

“Bookmakers try and say they don’t need Horse racing but it’s a complete an utter fallacy. Horse racing is their primary product” he said.

“I would be in total support of strike action. I would abandon the Cheltenham Festival for a year. Then we would see how much they needed racing because they would lose millions of pounds.”

The owner also feels that there are a number of fundamental issues in the way that prize money is awarded.

“If you own a Chase horse they can only run once a month. All-weather horses can run once or twice a week but the prize money is about the same. Really the prize money should be four times as much in Chases.”

“If it were up to me I would abolish All-weather racing. No one is ever in attendance so it isn’t making any real money for the industry. The only people who benefit are the bookmakers as the poor standard of racing provides betting fodder for them.”

Houllier's rocky start leaves sour taste - but it had to happen.

Marc Albrighton’s unnecessary 94th minute push on Damien Duff cost Villa a much needed 3-points on the weekend but given Villa’s start under Gerard Houllier it was hardly surprising.

The Frenchman’s reign, and Villa’s season in fact, has been nothing short of chaotic.

Since Martin O’Neill’s shock abandonment and James Milner’s departure, there have been two manager’s, a catalogue of injuries, players turning down contracts left right and centre, a 6-0 defeat, late goals being conceded and even Emile Heskey scoring a last minute winner.

But while much of that was not foreseen when Houllier finally took up his post on September 22nd, one thing that was a matter of time was a dispute with Jon Carew.

The Holte End fan favourite was sent to Villa by Houllier from Lyon in a swap deal, for the enigmatic at best Milan Baros, back in 2007, which suggested a clash was probable. And alas, since Houllier’s arrival, Carew has made a spluttering of appearances which have largely consisted of him trundling around the pitch holding his back; generally looking a far cry from the man who has been Villa’s top scorer for the past three seasons.

Prior to signing for Villa, Carew was renowned for his Nicolas Anelka like inability to stay at one club for an extended period of time. That being said, his recent public outburst in response to Houllier public encouragement of him to break sweat once in a while was hardly surprising and suggests unwillingness on Carew’s part to immerse himself in the Frenchman’s new fitness and hard work based regime.

Despite apparent clear the air talks this weekend, Carew’s departure looks set in stone with him requiring a new deal at the end of the season that is unlikely to be forthcoming. That will no doubt be greeted with resentment from the Villa faithful, whom have grown to adore the Norwegian for his goal scoring and enthusiastic goal celebrations, but Carew is a player who could only ever take Villa so far and Houllier is in the right here.

Martin O’Neill was a master of getting the best out of players like Carew, who flourished under a relaxed training schedule and a style of play which suited his lack of mobility. However, as seen in the two Wembley appearances and three sixth placed finishes, that was only ever going to get Villa so far.

Houllier may have ruffled a few feathers and has set about an overhaul of the side that fans may not like, but it was required if Villa were ever going to progress. Players like Carew and Stephen Ireland may not prosper in a system where hard work is as important as natural ability, but the new regime has seen a massive improvement in players like Emile Heskey and Stewart Downing who failed to prosper under O’Neill, whilst the emergence of Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark and Marc Albrighton has been a breath of fresh air.

And while results are currently bad, Villa’s second half performance at Fulham was more than promising. Villa were vibrant going forward, their front six included four products of the club’s academy and two England internationals, and rather than sitting back and asking for trouble as happened on so many occasions away from home under O’Neill when holding narrow leads, they took the game to Mark Hughes’s men.

An Albrighton error aside, Vila would have come away with an impressive victory, and pundits would have been hailing Houllier’s ability to maintain a footballing philosophy despite a plethora of injuries which could have easily persuaded him to have settled for a point.

Villa didn’t. They dominated the play, had an abundance of chances, and Barry Bannan and Ciaran Clark bossed the midfield in a way which Stilian Petrov never has.

No long balls and no sloppy concession of possession in a league where you get punished. If that’s how we play without Carew then, thanks for the memories John.

One too many Favre returns? Vikings hopes hang in the balance.

When Brett Favre was lying in bed after being battered by the New Orleans Saints defensive line in last seasons NFC Championship game he must have surely thought his Hall of Fame career was finally over.

Last season would have gone down as a glorious failure. Favre, ranked second overall in average rating in 2009, had led his new Vikings all the way to the Championship game with a seasonal performance which was statistically his best ever.

But in New Orleans in January, Favre was left battered and bruised both emotionally and physically, the 40-year old requiring medical attention on numerous occasions during the Viking's narrow defeat to the eventual Superbowl winning Saints.

No-one could have blamed Favre for calling it a day at that point and hanging his pads for the last time.

But, alas, Favre being Favre decided that enough was not enough (will it ever be?) and came back for one more push at the Superbowl. Right now, you have to question the future Hall of Famer's judgement.

His QB Rating is also down at 59%, as a pose to last seasons incredible 107.2. He has gone from second in last season's regular season Quarterback charts, to 30th, having already thrown four interceptions in two games. Favre threw only seven in the entire 2009 regular season.

Everyone knows that Favre has been erratic at points throughout his career. Big interceptions have blighted his time in the NFL, heck he has thrown more than any Quarterback in NFL history, but last season's performances suggested he had finally found a place where the onus wasn't entirely on him to go and force throws and win the game for his club. With Adrian Petersen at his side, and the Vikings mean defence watching his back, the seven interceptions in 2009 suggested he had become the ultimate game manager.

0-2 suggests otherwise.

In typical circumstances, a team reaching the Championship game with a talented side would be expected to push on in the next campaign. However, an aging Quarterback and the injury to his favoured target Sidney Rice have seen the Vikings manage only 19 points in their opening two games and so far at least, take a step backwards.

Most importantly for Vikings fans though, Favre's poor start means their season is already at a cross roads. Early defeats, to the Saints in the season opener and last Sundays shock home defeat to the resurgent Dolphins, have left them at 0-2 and two games behind divisional rivals the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

But all hope is not lost. The 0-2 Detroit Lions visit Mall of America Field this weekend, providing the ideal opportunity for Favre to get his form back. Add to that the Packers visit to Solider Field on Monday and the Vikings could quite easily be only one game off one of their Divisional rivals come Monday night.

A defeat to the Lions would be a massive shock, even given Favre's poor start, but a good performance is vital because the Jets, Cowboys, Packers and Patriots come next for the Vikings. An unconvincing display would lead to serious question marks about Favre's ability to take the team any further than he did last season.

If that is the case, it will surely be Favre's last season and definitely leave a stain on a career could have ended so impressively had he called it a day last summer.

Give it a rest Arsene.

We all know that the ideals of our democratic society entitle people to speak their mind about whatever they see fit.

And we are also well aware that peoples opinions are widely contrasting which sparks the debates the football supporters thrive on.

But seriously, Arsene Wenger talks complete and utter garbage from time to time.

Is the man seriously suggesting that the latest foreign import to break through from his youth team, Emmanuel Frimpong, should be considered for the England national side?

This is the same man who thought Manuel Almunia, you know that really English human being, was the solution to our goalkeeping woes (even if he was English, he wouldn't be good enough Arsene).

Frimpong may well turn out to be good at his job, but personally, if he played for England I would be appauled. The man was born in Ghana for crying out loud. Don't insult our intelligence with such tripe as 'they are good players and they are available for England as well'.

I know we live in a multi-cultural society, but what would be the point in having International football tournaments if teams were made up of player's who's pet-dog's-cousin was born in a particular country?

Modern club football thrives on doing this and rightly so, clubs have no obligation to represent the nation in which they compete but Wenger seems to not understand there is a difference between that and international football.

One of the beauties in the past about International tournaments was the ability of a nation such as Cameroon, Denmark or Croatia to turn up with a great side and turn over one of the big boys and go down as national heroes.

If Arsene had his way, which we know from history that basically centres around whatever is best for Arsenal, the richest countries would become superteams comprising of players of all nationalities who had come through the ranks at top flight clubs from such a young age that they qualify to play for that country.

Nations such as Frimpong's Ghana would be left with the scraps from whatever the big boys like Germany and England don't want, and we would never see the scenes of elation which the World Cup bought to their country.

For a man who prides his sides on beautiful football, cries at every injustice aganst his side and condemns those who don't play fair, Wenger doesn't half like to exploit every possible regulation to his own personal gain.

For one, he wouldn't have to worry about the new Premiership squad regulations if players like Frimpong were considered English.

The worrying part is, Wenger's image is already happening. Germany's squad in this previous World Cup bought to the attention the worrying trend for future international football. Fair enough, a lot of their players were actually born in Germany, but a number also weren't.

Happily, Capello for all his faults has so far resisted the temptation to litter our squad with the foreign 'stars' like Manuel Almunia and Charles N'Zogbia, but it's worrying for the future if we continue to see other nations develop their squads the way the traditionally proud German's have and managers like Wenger continue to champion their own corner for personal gain.

It would also offer absolutely no hope to any young English aspiring international footballers who saw the national side littered with refugees and foreign imports.

It's bad enough that none of them get signed by the top clubs, but don't lets kill the dream of representing your country at Wembley.

Thanks but no thanks Arsene, you keep Frimpong and we'll let Wilshere become the star of ENGLISH football.

Here we go again

It's struck again.

The illness thats eroding all that was once good about professional football has reared its ugly head once more.

If ever you needed evidence that capitalist American values have replaced that English desire to test yourself and strive to overcome your rivals has reached the roots of English football, this is it.

James Milner can and has been described in a lot of ways. A talented footballer who can play a number of positions. A model professional, always willing to meet and greet after games, England international and finally "very ambitious".

And now add Mercenary to the list.

Ambition to succeed is one thing, but out right greed is another and it is all the more prevalent these days. And it only gets you so far. Ask Gareth Barry.

He is a prime example of all the potential red flags a move to Manchester City comes with. As are Roque Santa Cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott.

All, were bought in for bumper fees under the pretence of future greatness and are now back ups to someone more expensive yet equally unproven.

And the same will happen to Mr. Milner when city don't win the league next season.

Where is the true ambition in that?

Does Milner really want to jump on a bandwagon to play 25 games next season, before being cast aside next summer when Mancini or whoever is buying the players at City gets wooed by an agent for a player with a fancy name and overhyped reputation.

Does it seriously make that much difference if you earn 100 grand a week or 70? It's not like Villa didn't put a massive offer on the table. There must be a point you reach where it really makes no difference whatsoever?

And so if its not about money, what is it about City?

They splashed the cash last year and finished fifth. Wow. A mighty one spot higher than Milner's Villa. The players City have burnt their money on this summer are remote improvements on what they already have.

He has no deep-rooted association with them, no real motivation for joining, what have they ever done for him?

Milner filled the void at the heart of the Villa side with consumate ease last season, become a regular England international and had the chance to become a true great without moving clubs.

With his progression as a footballer, he would have driven that young team on in their pursuit of reaching the next level.

Now that heart has been ripped out. And for what?

The opportunity to be part of a squad of strangers with no bond or reason to be at City other than money? I bet he is so excited.

Teams win titles and trophies, look at Spain. Lots of teams had great players in the last World Cup, but they are a great team.

Winning trophies as part of a great team used to be the focal point of a professional footballers ambition. Now, unfortunately, it seems it's all about ambition to have the largest bank balance.

Money Money Money. Silly season begins.

It goes without saying World Cup year would see astronomical transfer fees exchange hands and players crop up from all over the globe to(encouraged by their agents) cash in on a few good performances.

This year’s rumour mill has been in full flow for a good few months now, and some silly clubs have already fallen into the trap of believing a players hype before any real substance materialises.

The clever, real, clubs jumped in early and took proven quality pre-tournament. David Villa finally got his move to one of Europe's elite clubs for a fee which, given the way he's rescued Spain time and again on route to the semi-final, looks like a snip.

Their Spanish counterparts, Real Madrid, took a typically different approach to the transfer market, waiting till a few games into the tournament to agree a fee for Argentina’s Angel Di Maria. The winger managed to start a number of games for Argentina during their traditional ‘flatter to deceive’ World Cup campaign, but in reality, twenty million pounds looks a lot of money.

Speaking of a lot of money, as you would expect, Man City represented the extreme other end of the spectrum and have been the first to dive right in and offer stupid money to players who have proven absolutely nothing.

They actually started the summer very sensibly. German defender Jerome Boateng has been as efficient as you would like from a full back and looked a much more thoughtful purchase than some of their previous purchases. It didn’t last long though.

While David Silva assisted Valencia to their best of the rest 3rd place finish in Spain last year, his one undistinguished performance against Switzerland in Spain’s opening game defeat has earned him a seat on the bench for the rest of the tournament. It remains to be seen whether the City’s biggest fee of the summer was money well spent, with Silva still needing to adapt to combative English midfields.

A word of note to any City fans expecting miracles. I’m sure Real Madrid, who have watched Silva week in week out for the last three seasons, would have had more than a fleeting interest and signed him instead of the even more unproven Di Maria to run their midfield next season.

And another thing

City raised more questions with another of their summer captures. Don't get me wrong, Yaya Toure is a better player than Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry, but is he really worth the reported £220,000 a week they've given him to anchor their midfield?

Is £220,000 a week really a justifiable amount of money to pay someone who spent most of last season injured, and plays primarily as a destroyer in midfielder? I’m sure Lee Cattermole would have come for a snip of the price. If they had to offer someone of Toure’s stature in the game that much to come to Eastlands it doesn’t say a lot for their aspirations to sign players from the many echelon above Toure’s level.

All of this brings me on to the main point. What is the football industry coming to when Yaya Toure would rather go to play for City in the UEFA Cup, than sign for a massive club like say Arsenal or Manchester United who desperately need a player in his position, purely because of the wages on offer. When did footballers become so greedy, that they’d leave Barcelona for a club in a completely different football stratosphere for financial reasons?

Toure, rightly or wrongly, already has more money than 95% of the planet will ever have. But why is money that important to someone already set for life aged 27, that they would sacrifice a career at perhaps the greatest football institution in the world on the basis that an Arab Billionaire wanted to double his already astronomical salary.

I can’t wait until he announces in true Robbie Keane style, that he has supported City since he was a boy.

Money shouldn’t matter at this point in his career, playing for FC Barcelona or Manchester City is a no contest.

Which brings me to Joe Cole. The man who ‘wanted to be appreciated by Chelsea’, which in lamens terms means he wanted his last big pay day, needs to take a look in the mirror. Why churn out such rubbish when negotiating a move. If it’s really about money, take a leaf out of American sports stars and admit as much. Any working person can appreciate that given the opportunity to earn more money elsewhere, they probably would.

How refreshing would it be though, if Cole really did want to be appreciated as he says, he went and signed for his boyhood club West Ham on a £5,000 a week salary, reversed their demising fortunes and went down in east end folklore. That would be earn him true appreciation from the fans at Upton Park.

Something tells me his desire to be ‘appreciated’ means something completely different than the traditional sense of appreciation.

Why Bobby Zamora deserves a chance to go to the World Cup

The chorus of groans and sarcastic commentary when Emile Heskey is introduced at Villa Park on a match day has become somewhat a ritual for Aston Villa supporters.

For fans across the country, Heskey’s penultimate appearance for England at Wembley cemented the argument for him not going to the big dance in South Africa this summer. He simply does not score enough goals.

Despite that, his place in the squad during Fabio Capello’s reign has been bullet proof. Even now when qualification for South Africa is sealed and the time for experimentation is well under way. That decision has come at huge detriment to arguably the most in form and most improved English striker in the Premiership.

Bobby Zamora performs the same target man role for Fulham as Heskey fulfils for England. Unlike Heskey though, Zamora has been banging the goals in this year in Europe and domestically. His twenty-one goals in forty-four games this campaign would be enough to justify Heskey’s place in the squad for sure. Hell, most strikers would be delighted with that. (For the record, Heskey has twenty-two since the start of the 06/07 season.)

To add to the raw statistics, Zamora has scored vital home and away goals against German Champions Wolfsburg, a goal against mighty Juventus and a long range strike against defending Europa League champions Shakhtar before that.

That hasn’t gone unnoticed in some fields. Even the temperamental Dutch goal machine himself, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, has been impressed. This week he joined the “Zamora for England” bandwagon which has been building down at Craven Cottage ever since he scored a crucial goal against defending Premiership Champions Manchester United in November.

“Zamora is an effective striker, he's very important for the team. He holds the ball, he's a team player, works hard and he's an all round striker” he said.
"He can score and he's got more skills I think than you could imagine.”

Many would consider that a glowing endorsement from a man who has over three hundred career goals to his name for some of the world’s biggest clubs. But alas, the man who matters, Fabio Capello, has remained unimpressed.
Maybe he’s right to hold that opinion. Sure, Zamora is having the season of his life and could be considered a flash in the pan.

It’s true that very rarely on the World Cup stage does a striker such as Zamora burst onto the scene and make an earth shattering impression. That role is reserved for the likes of Pelé and Owen.
Sure, Zamora has a tendency to falter in the Premiership in fixtures away at the big boys.

But, and it’s a big but, Fulham are notoriously poor away from home. Maybe that’s not Bobby’s fault.
And maybe, just maybe, given the chance of playing with our nation’s greatest players, he would fill a void England are desperately searching for someone to fill and act as a foil for the irrepressible Wayne Rooney. He at least deserves a chance against Mexico or Japan to try and prove himself.

You never know, he might even manage to score a few goals while he’s at it.

Darren Byfield Interview

Meet …..

Darren Byfield

The 33 year old former Aston Villa, Rotherham, Gillingham, Milwall striker now enjoying his second experience as a Walsall talisman tells me about playing along side a global superstar, scoring in the play off final and his toughest ever opponent.

Growing up as an Aston Villa fan, I remember hearing about Darren Byfield as a star of the future. But coming through at Villa the same time as future England international Darius Vassell did not exactly do him any favours. Even though his time as a professional at Villa Park was brief, it still did not prevent him from briefly being part of one of the most unlikely strike partnerships in history.

“The best player I ever played with was Brazil’s Ronaldo” he said remarkably.

“While I was coming through the ranks at Aston Villa, the Brazil national team used the facilities at Villa. They had a practice match amongst themselves and three of the youth lads – me, Lee Hendrie and a lad called Ben Petty – were picked to join in. I played up front with Ronaldo. What a talent he was back then” he stated.

Somewhat an understatement to describe one of the greatest players the game the world has ever seen. But there were other influences on Byfield as a young player.

“I’m an Arsenal fan, so it’s between Thierry Henry and Ian Wright. As a striker, you always look up to players who play in y our position. Henry and Wrighty were two of the best forwards every to pull on an Arsenal shirt.”

Like his two heroes, Byfield has scored one or two important goals over the course of his career. The most notable of which was a play-off final winner in his first spell at Walsall against Reading, which got Walsall promoted to the old first division.

“What a day that was. Got to be my favourite ever goal” he announced proudly.
That first spell at Walsall was not always so plain sailing, as is proven by one of his tougher days at the office when another future England international was at the caused him a headache.

“In my first spell at Walsall, we played West Ham United. Rio Ferdinand was with them then and he was immense. It’s the only time in my whole career that I’ve thought during a game ‘I’m not going to get past you’. He was class” he said emphatically.

Since those earlier days, Byfield’s career has taken him to places such as Gillingham, Milwall and Rotherham with mixed personal and club success, but despite that he maintains an admirable passion for a game where the stars on the pitch live in a different world to those who adore them in the stands.

“You can’t beat playing football for a living. Simple” he said passionately. “Match days are special, preparing for a game and then playing in front of fans, that’s a special feeling.”

And while he maintains that desire, it’s clear that Byfield will go on scoring goals for a long time to come.

Time for heroes.

When Villa and Arsenal last met, the pre-game talk centred around which of the two clubs was more likely to make the Champions League spots come the end of the season.

As it transpired, the two sides were seperated primarily by the supreme skill of Cesc Fabregas, and further by a naive Villa side who chased a game when going a goal down.

Since then, Arsenal have raced clear of the midlands club and after last weeks game against Bolton, they sat at the top of the league.

Villa on the other hand have stagnated. Defeat to Arsenal was confounded by a heart breaking injury time defeat to Fernando Torres (playing for Liverpool at the time) and the home league 0-0 against West Ham which followed suggested the wheels may have come off for Villa.

The defeat to Arsenal and Liverpool cemented the difference between the pretenders from the Midlands and the two established top four clubs. That being simply Fabregas and Torres.

Both are world class players, amongst the top ten players in the world. Villa can match both sides all over the pitch, but as of yet none of the current side have proved themselves capable of controlling a game against the big four clubs.

Villa's three victories over the established order this season have come by virtue of resolute team performances rather than at the hands of a world class player.

Martin O'Neill has developed a flair for hyperbole when it comes to describing his young guns. Ashley Young was labelled 'world-class' and James Milner has been constantly referred to as 'magnificent' this season.

But is either capable of doing what Fabregas or Torres did to Villa?

The concensus suggests not. Milner has failed to impact any game so far this season against the top sides. No goals and no assists. Whilst a recent shift to the centre of midfield has reaped dividends against the lower sides, he is yet to be tested against a Fabregas or Lampard.

Young on the other hand, created the winner against United and showed great poise to slot the winning penalty away at Anfield. But yet, questions remain about whether he is clinical enough to influence the games against the top four.

For me, the difference in this game may lie with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Twice last season against Gallas he caused him problems, scoring a goal by out pacing him, and winning a penalty from the same situation. Ironically, Agbonlahor is often maligned at Villa Park for his lack of work ethic, and yet he has done the most to prove he is capable of providing a touch of quality against the big teams.

Arsenal on the other hand will be hoping the defeat at Stoke does not knock what has been a good recent run. Win tonight, and they will have pulled fifteen points ahead of Villa since they last met and could go back to the top of the league.

Despite that good run, Arsenal have shown a vulnerability in recent weeks. Against Bolton, they found themselves 2-1 down when a controversial equaliser got them back in the game.

Arsene Wenger is as prone to self-preservation as any manager. Much like O'Neill's ego boosting hyperbole, Wenger does his upmost to protect and inspire his players. But he went to far last week.

Gallas' clear foul on Mark Davies, which resulted in the player leaving on crutches, was brushed aside by Wenger. His defiant claims he would 'show you all the fouls we had over the last two games' don't mean that Gallas' foul is acceptable. What Wenger said basically implies that he has no problem with dirty play as long as its in favour of his side.

Clearly Bolton are a physical side, but that does not make Gallas' horror show right. Wenger should know as well as anyone the effects of a mistimed lunge, I'm sure he didn't take the same stance when Martin Taylor's mistimed tackle broke Eduardo's ankle.

That aside, tonight promises to be a good game and a test for Arsenal. Villa have lost twice at home all season and are tough to break down but injuries could conspire against them tonight.

Carew and Warnock are definitely out, with Richard Dunne and Stilian Petrov potentially joining them on the sidelines. Those potential absentees make it even more important for Villa that someone produces a Fabregas-esque moment if they are to get the win.

All the talk has been about James Milner in recent weeks. Lets see if their is a world class player in the Villa ranks.

Breathing room for Ferrara... for now.

Parma 1 Juventus 2

On the face of it, watching Parma vs Juventus on a Wednesday afternoon where there are more important things to be doing wouldn't exactly appeal to many fans of English football.

But I'm glad I opted to finally order ESPN just to watch it.

The game had everything. Vociferous home support, an early goal, great saves, a come back, a red card, injuries, tackles and two sides separated heartbreakingly for Parma, by an own goal.

It was also contested by two sides consisting of numerous Italians on both sides, who knew exactly what the game meant to both sets of fans.

After seeing a game contested in the Premiership with no English players or managers on show, it was refreshing to see a game where the desire was clear to see in the Parma side and an equally dogged display by a Juventus side whose manager is under great pressure.

The respect for the club legend Ferrara is something which would be nice to see more often in England, as a pose to the merciless recruitment of foreign managers and players.

Pressure

Juventus went into the game with a robust looking side, which was very much in the ilk of their under pressure manager and club legend Ciro Ferrara. Despite seeing his side sit second in the league, crashing out of the Champions League and a 9 point gap to leaders Internazionale meant the Italian manager was feeling the heat.

The talk before the game was that should the Old Lady lose today’s game, Ferrara's brief tenure as manager of the famous Turin club would be bought to an abrupt end.

Parma on the other hand were riding the crest of a wave, sitting in sixth place and having a genuine opportunity to knock off one of the leagues big boys.

But much like in recent English Premier League fixture, the pretender's Champions League aspirations tend to get stubbed out by their more illustrious opposition.

And it didn’t take long today.

In the third minute, a scrappy corner routine left Hasan Salihamidzic unmarked inside the six yard box to give Juventus a 1-0 lead.

From then on, the game was all Parma. They had opted to leave Valeri Bojinov on the bench to partner former Juventus man Nicola Amoruso with Jonathan Biabiany up front, and it was the on loan 24 year old who bought the first save off the match out of Alex Manninger, who was filling in for the injured Gianluigi Buffon.

As well as missing Buffon, Juve were also without the suspended Fabio Cannavaro and there were no starting places for the creative trio of Alessandro Del Piero, Amauri or Sebastien Giovinco.

Amauri appeared earlier than expected, at the expense of top scorer David Trezeguet who left the game with an injury, but his introduction didn't increase the goal threat posed by Juventus. So it was no surprise when hard working Parma's industry produced an equaliser.

The pressure told after 24 minutes, when an accurate cross by Damiano Zenoni found Amoruso, and the 35 year old directed a clinical header past Manninger.

It was no more then Parma deserved, and when Amoruse stung Manninger's hands with a dipping 25 yard half volley, it looked like there would only be one side leaving with three points.

But as is often the way, the big clubs find a way to gain wins there performance hardly merits.

When a corner came in which posed little threat, the unfortunate Paolo Castellini contrived to head into his own goal and break Parma hearts going into half time.

The second half became a battle which only added to the excitement. In a throwback to the early 90s in England, the game was highly contested with challenges flying in on an extremely difficult looking pitch.

Make shift Juventus right back Martin Caceres had looked uncomfortable all game, and after being booked in the first half dived in again with 20 minutes to go and was sent to the stand.

This responded an understandable response from Ferrara, who bought on two defenders with goal scorer Salihamidzic and playmaker Diego the ones to make way.

Parma piled on the pressure from then on, but Juventus showed all the savvy you would expect from one of the world's most illustrious clubs. Not even six minutes of injury time and the Parma keeper coming up for a corner was enough for Parma to produce an equaliser their efforts deserved.

The game was a breath of fresh air, the under dogs pushing the big boys all the way to the 96th minute despite a difference in quality.

Its that time of the year again...

This week see's the annual return of the FA Cup 3rd round and fans up and down the country will be waiting to see where the shock of the round will come in this years version of the most famous Cup competition in the world.

Some Premiership managers will put the Cup bottom on their list of priorities, which could have a part to play. Others will see there full strength sides fall at the hands of lower league minnows.

That is the magic of the cup, with this year being no different and the potential for Premier League giants to succumb is going to happen somewhere, but where?

Here's a few of the contenders.

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City

Now managerless Bolton are in turmoil. Gary Megson's spikey relationship with the clubs fans came to an end and the club face a battle to keep their place in the Premiership this season.

League 2 side Lincoln City, managed by the up and coming Chris Sutton, will go to the Reebok with no fear and with a team fresh after recent postponements. Bolton played midweek and that could play a part.

Chris Sutton has seen it all before and will have his young side fired up to make the most of their afternoon in the limelight.

Chance of an upset here.

MK Dons vs Burnley

Burnley's bright start to the season has faltered dramatically in recent weeks. They are without a win in 9 games and are yet to win away from home all season. That being said, a trip to League 1 MK Dons could be problematic.

Once again under the stewardship of former Blackburn Manager Paul Ince, MK Dons sit in 8th position on the edge of the play-off positions.

With lofty aspirations to one day Premiership football themselves, this is a chance for the Buckinghamshire side to put down a marker for the future.

Owen Coyle will be more concerned with keeping his side in the Premiership, so expect a weakened side to be pushed all the way in this one.

Nottingham Forest vs Birmingham City

These two local rivals met twice in the Championship last season but both sides are in very different places now.

Birmingham have been on an impressive run of form, unbeaten in 11 games and sitting just outside the European spots in the Premiership.

Billy Davies' Forest are on an equally impressive run, and see themselves sitting third in the Championship.

Both sides will go into the game full of confidence and under no pressure at all, so it promises to be an entertaining affair.

A gung ho battle could favour Forest but it would be a surprise if they knocked off Birmingham here.

Portsmouth vs Coventry City

Portsmouth are a mess. Bottom of the Premiership, there players not being paid again, having to sell their players and being faced with a winding up order from the HM Revenues and Customs.

A cup run while being beneficial to the club for short term finances, is ultimately not a priority for them. They need to survive in the Premiership if they are to carry on existing in their current form.

They also have a lot of players away at the African Cup of Nations which will add to the weaken the side even further then Avram Grant may have in mind anyway.

Look for Coventry to go to Fratton Park with no pressure on them and turn Portsmouth over in the same way Swansea did last season.

Stoke City vs York City

One of the lowest ranked teams left in the competition, York City go to the Britannia with absolutely no pressure on them at all. In pursuit of promotion back to the football league, they look set to provide an interesting challenge to robust Stoke City.

While Stoke's effective style of play may eventually overcome the Blue Square Premier side, it could also play into their hands by reflecting that of York's more familiar non-league opponents.

Stoke have only managed 15 goals all season, so despite the vast gulf between the sides in terms of league position, this could prove to be an interesting encounter.

Sunderland vs Barrow

Barrow are no stranger to a trip to face more illustrious rivals in the north-east, having faced Middlesborough in the 3rd round in 2009.

They took a massive following that day and were by no means disgraced, falling 2-1 to their then Premiership opposition.

Sunderland's squad is ravaged with injuries at the moment and Steve Bruce is down to the bare bones, so this is by no means a certain win for the home side.

A battered and depleted Sunderland side wont relish facing the combative Barrow players and this could be the shock of the round.

Tranmere vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mick McCarthy showed exactly where his priorities lie recently by changing his entire outfield team for the game at Old Trafford.

He clearly is only interested in survival this season, so expect more of the same here away to League 1 strugglers Tranmere.

Despite now being under the stewardship of Ronnie Moore, Tranmere are still languishing in the relegation zone so this game could be a welcome break from their league turmoil.

It's the last game of the weekend, kicking off at 18:15 on Sunday night, and it has the potential to be a big upset.

Move over Messi!

Today, Lionel Messi was inevitably crowned as Fifa World Player of the Year.

Messi may as well have been playing with the crown on his head for the first half of this season, as his exploits during Barcelona's record breaking successes last year all but guaranteed him earning the accolade.

He was unrivalled over the course of last season, leading the mighty Barcelona to an unprecedented treble of the La Liga title, Copa Del Rey, and Champions League trophies, scoring the winner in the final.

This year, he led Barcelona to the Uefa Super Cup title. Most recently, he scored the winner in the World Club Championships for Barcelona in Dubai on Saturday.

He topped the Champions League scoring charts, and amassed 38 goals and 18 assists in only 51 games last season and was undeniably the best player in the world in 2009.

2010 could be much of the same. Messi and Barcelona have won everything there is to win in 2009, but this seasons World Cup is an ideal opportunity for a new star to rise and take the crown away from Messi when next years awards are handed out.

Fabio Cannavaro was an unlikely winner after leading Italy to World Cup glory last time around and his success proves that team success on the biggest stage of them all goes a long way towards stars achieving personal glory.

So, which players have the opportunity and ability to have a year like Ronaldo in 2008 and Messi in 2009 and take the biggest award of them all?

Didier Drogba

The Chelsea hit man has started this season like a house on fire, scoring nearly twenty goals before the turn of the year that have contributed massively to Chelsea sitting on top of the Premier League.

In January, he will lead the line for Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations, hoping to provide the goals which could fire his nation to their second ever African crown.

In the second half of the season, Chelsea look set to mount a huge charge for the Premiership title. Their rivals are floundering, and barring a massive turn around in form, Chelsea look set to be crowned Champions in May.

Along side that, Chelsea will be relying on Drogba to score the goals which could take them one step further in the Champions League and earn the first ever victory in that tournament.

If successes in all those competitions are not enough for his fellow professionals, Drogba could also carry his country further than they have ever been in the biggest tournament of them all.

They have been drawn with Brazil and Portugal, but if Drogba can take his side into the latter stages, he will surely be a strong contender when the awards are given out next December.

Wayne Rooney

Prior to the start of the season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United piled the pressure on Wayne Rooney to rise up and take over the reigns as his clubs talisman.

So far he has taken to the challenge in typically bullish fashion. 13 goals for his club come on the back of the England ace being in blistering form in the World Cup qualifying campaign where he was the leading scorer in Europe.

In June, he has the hopes of an expectant nation at his feet, being England’s only world class striker and one who will be relied on to score the goals to bring the trophy back home.

The tournament also provides an opportunity for Rooney to eradicate disastrous memories from 2006, where his petulant stamp on Ricardo Carvalho caused him to see red and with it, end any hope of England progressing deep into the competition.

Rooney today is a different player. Now much mature, he has led the line for United admirably and looks set to do the same for England.

And if he can lead both to glory this season, he will be the name on everyone’s lip’s come next December.


Kaka

For a few days this summer, 2007 World Player of the year Kaka was the most expensive footballer in history.

Real Madrid took the plunge and stumped up the 70 million euros demanded by AC Milan for his signature and began building the second wave of galacticos.

They look set to make go close in every tournament they enter this season, already pushing Barcelona in pursuit of top spot in Spain and qualifying comfortably for the latter stages of the Champions League.

Kaka has been a somewhat peripheral figure so far in Spain, but once he settles in he is sure to replicate his successes with the national side at club level

Brazil manager Dunga is an obvious admirer of the 27 year old, building his new look Brazil team around the Real Madrid playmaker. In the 3 year period with Kaka as the focal point, the Selecao have won everything in their path.

Should that culminate in their 6th victory in South Africa this year, playmaker Kaka will be in for world wide acclaim once again.

Theres only one Jimmy Milner

Since the exit of Gareth Barry, Aston Villa's engine room has looked distinctly void of ideas. In my eyes, Barry was an extremely under-rated and highly talent player who bought an air of calm and reliable quality to the heart of my team.

To put it mildy, Steve Sidwell does not come close to doing that. In fact, his most telling contribution since signing for Villa was costing us at least a point by inexplicably gifting relegated Middlesboro three points last season.

So despite a reasonable start, there was clearly a massive hole to be filled in the centre of Midfield in January if Villa were to make a legitimate challenge for the Champions Leage spot this season.

But perhaps, just perhaps, Martin O'Neill has had the answer in his locker since the summer.

The return to fitness of Stewart Downing, despite the player himself making no massive contribution in terms of goals or assists, has completely rejuvinated a side who looked lacking in creativity.

How, you ask? It has set James Milner free.

Since taking up a central midfield/free role position, Milner has looked a truely top player. He's scored three goals from outside the box, and provided two more through assists. His eye for a pass is uncanny, and had he been restricted to the right hand side all season we would never have known what a talent we possessed in our squad.

Yes, his first game in this role was away to struggling Pompey, where he scored a rifled shot from twenty yards. Yes, the second was home to Hull, who were blown away by the dynamic midfield three of Downing, Young and Milner.

But most recently, any doubts about Milner's ability to be a mature central midfielder rather then a winger with license to roam have been answered emphatically.

Away at Old Trafford, home of the Champions, he regularly showed both poise in possession and great discipline in tracking back and making important tackles in Villa's most impressive result for years.

And last night came his finest hour. An early assist was capped off by a thunderous thirty yard strike, where he held off a niggling Kieran Richardson before unleashing an astonishing strike past the helpless Martin Fulop.

As you can probably tell, I am extremely excited about the potential twenty-three year old Milner has shown in the last four victories. Not only from an Aston Villa standpoint, but injuries aside, and Milner is renowned for his consistent fitness, he must surely be on the plane to South Africa.

When he gets there, he could prove to be one of the upcoming stars of the tournament and a potential difference maker in England's quest to bring the trophy home.

Fabio Capello clearly likes him, using him in a number of positions recently, and he is now starting to take that confidence into his club side.

And as a proud Villa fan, I can't believe our luck!

Rafa: We will finish in the top 4

Rafael Benitez today promised that his Liverpool side would finish in the top four.

That is despite his side currently languishing in seventh position, level on points with newly promoted Birmingham City and five points behind the precious fourth position.

It also comes on the back of a 2-1 home defeat against Arsenal in which Liverpool lacked the grit and determination which has typically personified their side in recent seasons.

As an interested observer in this season’s race for the top four positions, I have been waiting for Liverpool's form to turn on its head and them to begin their ascent to the league positions they are accustomed to.

Recent games have appeared to be ideal opportunities for that to happen, but despite Rafa's confidence recent performances have gotten worse rather than better.

Blackburn away a few weeks ago was a fixture in which I expected that form to start. No disrespect to Blackburn, who are proving tough opposition on their home patch this season, but a team who started the season with title aspirations such as Liverpool would expect to come away with better then a 0-0 draw.

Then the opportunity to right the wrongs of their result in Florence earlier this year, which contributed towards their early exit from this seasons Champions League, came and went. Liverpool contrived to lose 2-1 at home to a Fiorentina side that are languishing down in ninth in their own domestic league.

Most recently, on the back of that shock home defeat, Arsenal arrived at Anfield for a game which typically brings out the best in Rafa Benitez' men and did so earlier this season in the home game against Manchester United.

But yet again, despite Rafa finally getting his wish of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both back starting the game, Liverpool again let a lead slip at home and lost 2-1 to fellow Champions League rivals Arsenal.

There were no excuses on Sunday. Bar the potential inclusion of £20 million pound summer signing Alberto Aquilani, Liverpool had there strongest possible side out, and still produced a lacklustre performance.

But despite all this evidence to the contrary, Rafa still promises to finish in the top four.

Clearly he is a clever man, but making such bold assertions with no foundation is surely setting him up for a massive fall from grace.

This season has been like no other. No game can be taken for granted, and with at least three clubs ready to pounce, the Liverpool Manager must be secretly worried about the prospect of not making next seasons Champions League.

The game against Wigan tomorrow appears to be an ideal fixture for a club who need a result. Wigan’s inconsistency is clear, following up a devastating 9-1 loss to Tottenham with a solid 1-0 home victory against Sunderland; however they have still contrived to beat league leaders Chelsea and score a victory away at fourth placed Aston Villa.

This highlights the danger in Benitez making such bold assertions about his sides finishing position this season. Every team in the Premiership has the potential to win a game and given recent form it is highly unlikely Liverpool will not slip up against a few improbable opponents between now and May.

Defeat tomorrow would strike a catastrophic blow into the Spaniard's confidence and surely leave the clubs loyal supporters wondering whether their clubs form will pick up at all this season.

A win however, would set them up nicely for a trip to bottom placed Portsmouth on Saturday and a home tie against struggling Wolves. Rafa will be desperate that when his side go to Villa Park on the 29th of December, it is on the back of three straight wins.

Continued outward defiance and insistence that his clubs "clever fans" will continue to back him will only get them so far. Rafa needs a result against Wigan tomorrow night, and that is a fact.

Stamp out the cheats Platini

Why oh why, do football's governing body insist on maintaining there backward stance on the use of technology?

Instead of talking about how well The Republic of Ireland played tonight away in France, Football fans across the country are left with a sour taste over the actions of Thierry Henry.

His blatant act of cheating which directly led to France's decisive goal in extra time completely overshadowed a great performance by Ireland and took away any opportunity they had of making it to South Africa.

After the game, Henry attempted to make up for his ball juggling act by hugging disconsolate Irish players and having a sit down with Richard Dunne, but he is lucky he showed more class than him by not making use of his own hands as a weapon.

And while Henry has no leg to stand on in terms of a defence for his actions, the problem with the whole incident was the referee and linesman, who for whatever reason didn't see what had happened.

Surely now, in the year 2009, when near enough every other sport is using technology to get decisions correct, Football which is the most watched sport in the world, should follow suit. Referees should be helped out by the techology which is available within seconds.

Michel Platini claims that "Video referees would destroy football. You would have to stop the game every 10 seconds, for every decision"

Does he live in a cocoon? Does he not watch any other sport then his own?

In Rugby, most tries are checked on video replay to ensure there are no problems.

In Cricket, decisions which can be challenged are limited to 3 per innings at the discretion of each teams Captain.

In Tennis, players have a limited number of challenges per set. Players use these to ensure momentum changing decisions are correct.

In American Football, coaches have the opportunity to challenge two refereeing decisions per game. If they are correct,and the referees decision is reversed, they keep the challenge to use again. If they are wrong, their number of remaining challenges is reduced to one.

In the last two minutes of halves, questionable decisions are checked without coach challenges to ensure that the decisive moments in the game don't get decided by human error. When there is conclusive evidence for a decision to be changed, it is.

Coaches only have up until the game re-commences to challenge what has happened and give the referee the opportunity to check whether his decision was correct.

Decisions are correctable in a few seconds. Games dont get decided on mistakes and fans aren't left with a bitter taste in their mouths.

If you asked any true footballing fan, the ones who pay money to watch the games, would you rather spend thirty seconds extra in the ground and take home three points or get home five minutes earlier and draw to a last minute goal scored by someone handling the ball, I know what the resounding answer would be.

Platini is wrong. If a manager was given 2 opportunities a game to have a goal checked on replay before his team took the kick off, then the game would be delayed no longer than it would by the carnage that typically ensues when referees get decisions wrong.

If Trappatoni had been given the chance to challenge the decision, he would have. The ref would have booked Henry within 20 seconds and the game would have continued. Irish fans may well be now booking tickets to the World Cup if that were the case.

But it is not. We are left to wonder what it will actually take for FIFA to pull their fingers out.

They couldn't wait to bring action against Arsenal striker Eduardo when he fell over and was awarded a penalty against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier that Arsenal were on the way to winning, but something tells me FIFA and UEFA may take a different approach when dealing with the controversial moments of tonights game.

Will technology be introduced as a result? No. Will Henry be banned? No... Will The Republic be going to the World Cup? No... Sort it out Fifa

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0

An Injury time winner from David N’Gog gave Liverpool and manager Rafael Benitez a vital three points in a dramatic derby victory over rivals Manchester United.

N’Gog scored deep into injury time after replacing Fernando Torres who had given Liverpool the lead earlier in the second half.

Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano again saw red in this fixture in a dramatic last ten minutes in which the game exploded.

Liverpool went into the game looking for a win over their great rivals to ignite a season which has seen them already lose four Premiership games, and more recently four games on the bounce.

Rafael Benitez was under a lot of pressure in recent weeks and was booed during Liverpool’s most defeat against Lyon on Wednesday night.

His side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation which included Fabio Aurelio playing on the left to help keep things tight against in form Antonio Valencia, and Dirk Kuyt partnering the returning Fernando Torres.

They started with the look of a side hungry to avenge recent results but were fortunate when the returning Wayne Rooney had a goal disallowed for United after only two minutes for a marginal offside decision.

United began brightly and kept the ball well but found themselves faced with a strong, combative Liverpool side who were closing them down all over the pitch.

Despite United’s early pressure, the games first chance fell to Liverpool. After a foul by Patrice Evra which earned him a deserved yellow card, a fantastic free kick by Aurelio was destined for top corner before Edwin Van Der Sar produced a top save and got up in time to save the rebound from Dirk Kuyt.

United responded strongly and a flowing move saw Valencia get past Emanuel Insua and put a cross on Rooney’s head only to see his effort saved by Pepe Reina.

United continued controlling the game, keeping the ball nicely without really troubling. Liverpool’s resolute defending was typified by Captain Jamie Carragher’s crunching slide tackle in the penalty area on Michael Carrick.

The best chance of the half fell to Aurelio, after a long defence splitting ball came to Yossi Benayoun, whose cross came nicely for the Brazilian. His header fell straight into the grateful arms of Van Der Sar.

Liverpool finished the half strongly and the crowd started to sense the side were putting their recent poor form behind them. Prior to the game, a protest outside the ground was carried out by Liverpool fans to signal their discontent at the clubs American owners.

It was Liverpool who continued their good first half work at the start of the second half but again failed to make the most of an inviting opportunity.

After an uncharacteristic mistake from Patrice Evra, whose misplaced pass fell straight to Benayoun, he found Dirk Kuyt who inexpicably opted to pull the ball back to the unsuspecting the Israeli, instead of taking on a shot from eight yards out.

Like Kuyt previously, Fernando Torres appeared at a loss for ideas when he raced through down the left only for his eventual product to be neither a shot or cross, instead blazed across the box and out for a throw in.

Liverpool became increasingly dominant and the breakthrough finally came for Liverpool after sixty five minutes.

The ball fell to Benayoun in midfield, who hit a perfectly placed through ball into Torres who held off Rio Ferdinand and fired the ball high past Van Der Sar.

It was no more than Liverpool’s efforts in the game had deserved and the onus was now on United to break down the resolute Liverpool defence.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s response was to introduce Nani and Michael Owen to the game, which was greeted with a chorus of boos and chants of Judas around Anfield following his move to United after Owen’s previously successful career with the Merseyside club.

Their introduction had an immediate impact, with Nani firing a shot at Reina who had been untested for much of the game.

United became increasingly ominous and produced their best opportunity as the last ten minutes approached. Good work from Owen produced a chance for Valencia, but he fired his effort off the cross bar from an acute angle inside the six yard box.

That sparked United into life and a moment of great controversy followed.

Owen again caused havoc in the Liverpool defence when he got through on goal only to be pulled down by Jamie Carragher. Referee Andre Mariner opted to only produce a yellow card, much to the dismay of the United players and particularly Sir Alex Ferguson, who felt Owen was denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

United’s anger was doubled moments later when Nemanja Vidic was sent off in a similar situation.

His second yellow card for pulling back Kuyt on the half way line when he was clean through on goal was deserved, but questions will be asked about the consistency of refereeing after the decision to only book Carragher moments earlier in a much more threatening situation.

Moments later, Mascherano also saw red for a second yellow after a desperate lunge on United keeper Van Der Sar deep in injury time.

But that wasn’t the end of the drama, as a minute after the allotted 5 minutes injury time was over and United piled forward in search of an equaliser, Liverpool found themselves two on one and David N’Gog slotted away the winner for Liverpool.

The mass celebrations which ensued around Anfield were epitomised by Goalkeeper Reina who ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of a jubilant Kop.

The result and performance were exactly what Liverpool manager Benitez needed and desired in recent weeks meanwhile Ferguson will surely be questioning the refereeing decisions despite his sides lacklustre display.

So Heskey will move on from Villa to secure his England place.... good riddance!

After reading Emile Heskey's comments following England’s defeat in Ukraine on Saturday, fans who attend Aston Villa games regularly will have breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Heskey believes he will need to find a new home in January after making just 5 appearances this season, the majority as a substitute.

And from attending every home game this season, I get the impression that the majority of the boo boys at Villa Park would be willing to drive him to his next club.

During last Monday nights game against Manchester City, Heskey's introduction in the second half didn't exactly trigger an increased level of optimism amongst the Villa faithful.

Heskey's most telling contribution during his stay on the pitch was to collide with his own player, when he had the chance to slide through a team mate for a goal scoring opportunity in injury time.

The jeers and disgust seen around the ground said it all.

Since being signed to boost Villa's Champions League aspirations last January by boss Martin O'Neill, Heskey has managed just 2 goals in 19 appearances.

In that time, his only performance of any repute came against Portsmouth in his debut, where he struck the winning goal and showed signs of developing a promising relationship with fellow England hopeful Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Safe to say that hasn't been the case. Even when selected continuously ahead of fan favourite John Carew last season, Heskey failed to develop any relationship with Agbonlahor. When selected along side Carew, he has looked even worse.

Also in that time, his poor finishing which was highlighted in a recent International against Croatia has blighted both his and Villa's progress.

Despite that, England boss Fabio Capello has picked him consistently, sighting his contribution to the teams overall play.

This attitude directly contradicts Capello's overall ideology that he only picks players who are in form for their respective clubs and has seen him turn his nose up at starting Jermaine Defoe and Agbonlahor, and not even giving a place in the squad to Sunderland's Darren Bent, all of whom have been in fine goal scoring form this season.

Heskey is probably right that he may need to move on to secure his England place, but a message to any potential suitors, beware. The player Capello loves does not turn up 90% of the time at club level. The ability to consistently bully defenders and win headers is not present. Goal scoring is anonymous.

What you are left with is a player who spends more time on his backside, usually down injured, than being a threat in the opposing penalty area.

If that’s what you look for in a Premier League striker, then there is an entire fan base who will give any manager a character reference.

Tough night ahead

After Liverpool's defeat at the hands of last seasons fourth best Italian side, tonights games also have the potential to be difficult for the English clubs in Champions League action.

Chelsea are looking to bounce back from defeat at Wigan on Saturday against Champions league novices Apoel Nicosia, in what on paper should be a stone waller for the Londoners.

However, so did their game at the weekend. Wigan had never beaten one of the 'big four' clubs in their entire time in the Premiership but managed to turn over a ragged looking Chelsea side.

Factor in the long flight to Cyprus, humid weather conditions and a passionate home support, the easy game on paper reads slightly differently.

The experience in their squad suggests they should be able to handle the game, but results in previous years against teams such as FC Cluj show Chelsea dont always handle such trips with ease.

Tonight is the first true test of Chelsea's credentials under Carlo Ancelotti who will be looking for a reaction from his side as they attempt to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. It will be interesting to see if they react to defeat in the manner which has typified Manchester United's dominance of the Premiership in recent years.

With one eye on the arrival of Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next and no Didier Drogba at their disposal, Ancelotti's men may come up short in Nicosia this evening.

And if they do, we will really see what the Italian and his side are made off against there great recent rivals on Sunday.

Charlton 2 Brentford 0

Lloyd Sam’s 3rd goal in two games and Deon Burton’s 3rd of the season gave Charlton victory over Brentford and ensured they maintained their place at the top of League One.

Both sides went into the game with unbeaten records but it was no surprise Charlton, having won every game and sitting top of the table, settled quicker and made an early breakthrough.

Their first goal came after 10 minutes when makeshift Brentford left back Sam Wood failed to deal with a long ball. The outstanding Lloyd Sam capitalised and pulled the ball back to veteran striker Deon Burton who calmly scored his third goal of the season.

Brentford started slowly but were aggrieved after 25 minutes when their first promising moment saw the ball strike Nicky Bailey’s hand in the area but their claims were waved away.

Their grievance was confounded minutes later when Charlton put together a great team move which was finished off by Sam.

A fifteen pass move ended with promising youngster Jonjo Shelvey feeding striker Burton, who flicked the ball to Sam who produced a moment of quality to glide past Sam Wood and slot the ball home.

Just before half time came Brentford’s best moment of the game when Carl Cort headed wide despite it looking easier to score.

That theme continued in the second half, when both sides missed good chances. Carl Cort missed two further headers for Brentford, one of which produced a fine save from Charlton keeper Rob Elliot after 72 minutes.

Ten minutes later David Hunt hit the bar with a thirty yard free kick, but Charlton were able to withstand the pressure put on them in a spirited second half performance from Brentford.