February 15 2010

Selhurst Park

Another Herculean performance by the Eagles brought a glow to the heart even in this chilling weather, says Jamesey.

Cruising down to Selhurst

On a Sunday afternoon...

It was certainly a Valentine's Day to satisfy even the most demanding Palace lovers. It's not every day our boys give one of the best teams in Europe a scare.

I think many non-Villa supporters have a soft spot for Martin O'Neill. I originally saw him over 30 years ago when he was a member of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest unlikely conquering team.

Yes, he does rant on sometimes, but generally speaking he if fair-minded, sensible and intelligent. Why the imbeciles at the FA didn't make him England manager at the time instead of the prize chump McClaren will always be a mystery.

After being a member of a team whose achievements infinitely exceeded the sum of its talents, Martin went on to become a highly successful manager.

He has built Aston Villa into a formidable and attractive side and, wonder of wonders, used home-grown talent like Steve Sidwell, Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabriel Abonlahor to do so.

When I saw the Villa team run out in our home Fifth Round Cup tie on Sunday in front of a 20,000-plus crowd, I got a similar feeling to when we last played Manchester United at Selhurst in the Bigmoulah-ship, and Rooney, Scholes and Ronaldo were sitting on the bench. In other words, are we expecting miracles or are we not?

Oddly enough, we drew that particular Man U game and, of course, did the same against Aston Villa, leading twice and drawing 2-2, to gain a replay in Brummagem.

There's not a lot of mileage in going on about the non-corner which led to Villa's late goal. What's done is done but if we could only have hung on and gained ourselves an away visit to the Baggies or the Royals. Ah well, what might have been?

We played like demons and I think we were all bursting with pride at our achievement by the final whistle. Of course, the replay won't be easy, to put it mildly, and I regret to say that my gut feeling is that we had our chance but ultimately failed to capitalise on it.

But it's the FA Cup and you never know.

Whatever happens in this somewhat dismal administration-blighted season, two unforgettable Palace memories have gone into my "glorious moments" file - Butts' hat-trick against the Wolves and the scintillating draw with the Villa.

In this column, I have sung the praises of a lovely little back-street pub, the Two Brewers in Gloucester Road. It is traditional, very Palace and serves delicious Shepherd Neame real ales, unusually for outside the Kent area.

However, be warned. the current regime have installed a juke box which plays pop music emitting the most appalling racket at ear-drum perforating and wall-trembling levels.

It is almost impossible to discuss the game so, if, like me, you can't stand unnecessarily loud music, regretfully I must advise you to avoid the establishment.

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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