Villa could only manage a goaless draw at Villa Park today against West Ham in a game that we really should be taking all three points.

Its no secret that other clubs have sat up and took notice of whats been happening at Villa Park, as Fulham last season celebrated as if they had won the game when they drawed with us 0-0. This year it was West Hams turn to frustrate and then celebrate.

There used to be a time that the Eastend side would expect to give Villa a game, and although they did have a few chances today it was clear by Gianfranco Zolas tactics that they were here just to avoid defeat.

Villa also blew the chance to close the gap on Manchester City and Tottenham and now instead sit two points behind them after playing the same number of games.

It wasnt the most entertaining of games when there was only one chance really in the first half. Stewart Downing crossed the ball and a wonderful piece of skill sin Gabriel Agbonlahor with a spinning snap-shot only to be denied by England goalkeeper Robert Green.

In the second half Villa did get the ball in the hammers net, but John Carew was judged to of been offside.

And then Agbonlahor could of won all three points in the final minutes when Stewart Downing found him in acres of space and he broke free only to be denied once again by the West Ham goalkeeper.

Villa showed they struggle to break down a side who set out not to concede today and this route one football down the wings was once again found out. If we are to ever break the top 4 we must have more than just a plan A as its becoming obvious how Villa will attack each and every time now.

Aston Villa have the lead in semi-final of the Carling Cup as they defeat Blackburn by one goal to nil in the first leg at Ewood Park.

Despite Rovers starting the game brighter, Villa hit back instantly as a rapid counter attack saw Downing square the ball to an unmarked James Milner to put Villa one up in the 23rd minute.

And thats the way it stayed, but could so easily be a different story.

Mark Clattenburg hogged the lime light again as he booked Gabby Agbonlahor for a supposed ‘dive’ but quite obviously should have awarded Villa a penalty.

We should have had a penalty later on as well as there looked to be a handball on the six yard line by Pascal Chimbonda, but no – Clattenburg was also oblivious to this and gave a freekick to Blackburn!

Kalinic was denied by the post twice in what seemed, relatively easy chances, but they failed to build upon this and go into the 2nd leg at Villa Park, seperated by the away goal.

Aston Villa have booked thereselves into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-1 home win to Sam Alladyce’s Blackburn Rovers.

It was never going to be a preview of Tuesday night’s League Cup Semi Final when both sides made so many changes.

Villa took the lead after just 12 minutes when Ashley Young swung a cross in from the left, which met the head of young Nathan Delfouneso who headed it past Jason Brown in the Blackburn goal.

Despite all the Villa pressure Blackburn were awarded a penalty on the half hour mark when Nigel Reo-Coker brought down Steven Reid. Former Blues player David Dunn hit the ball to Brad Guzan’s left only to see Guzan parry it wide.

Villa soon made it two however. Ashley Young swings in a free-kick from the left wing and Carlos Cuellar heads the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

El-Hadje Diouf was sent off just before half time after a awful challenge on his Senegal teammate Habib Beye.

Blackburn pulled one back in the second half when Morton Gamst Pedersen crossed the ball into the Villa area and Nikola Kalinic put it into the Villa net.

In a game that never really got going, Villa secured themselves into the fourth round when John Carew made it 3-1 from the penalty spot on the 90th minute.

Villa will take this and would most like a lower division side at Villa Park in the next round, but knowing Villa’s look we will be going to Old Trafford very soon.