Villa’s recent patchy form has been much discussed by people who seem to think there’s more to it than the fact that they’re simply not good enough for the top four. But they haven’t become a bad side overnight and it was therefore a relief that a third goal, in a period when Everton were largely on the back foot, looked to have killed the game as a contest.
It was also unsurprising that we failed to hold it. With John Carew giving Lescott and Jagielka arguably their sternest test of the season, the second half had “goals” written large across it.
In all likelihood, even if Everton had held on for victory at Villa Park, fourth place would still have seemed an unlikely target at this stage of the season. We’re simply running out of games and paying the price for our shoddy start to the season.
No matter. Without wishing to sound like my mum, there’s always next year. And we do genuinely appear to have the belief, the drive and, most importantly, the ability to break through the glass ceiling of the top four places in the near future.
Which leads us on to matters pressing. Sunday sees our first semi-final in what has been an embarrassingly long 14-year period. As has often been the way this season our heroes have to do it the hard way, facing off against the cocky half of Manchester for the right to go to, er, Wembley again but for the final.
I can understand the talk of enjoying the day, but it’s also important to remember who were are and what we’ve done before we walk that route. Sides like Hull enjoy the day out. Sides like Everton should only ever enjoy the ones on which they win. Don’t let us down, gents.
