Weekend Footy Round-up

VILLA THRASH BLUES AS BAGGIES PREPARE TO PARTY

21-04-2008

Villa take pride of place in the West Midlands today after thrashing Blues 5-1 in the Second City derby. The result opens up the prospect of Albion by-passing the St Andrews' side on their way to the Premiership.

Birmingham’s defeat leaves them entrenched in the relegation zone, a point behind Reading and Bolton. With Liverpool their next opponents, it’s looking grim for Alex McLeish’s team.

They certainly had no answer to Martin O’Neill’s rampant Villa who’ve now clocked up 15 goals in their last three games.

Ashley Young and John Carew gave them a first half advantage, and the same players stuck again to guarantee the win early in the second half.

Although Forssell pulled one back for the visitors, Agbonlahor completed the rout with 12 minutes to go.

The result keeps Villa’s European ambitions intact – a factor which could be significant in helping them keep hold of Gareth Barry – but Blues were so comprehensively outclassed in every department, you have to fear for their morale.

In the Championship, it's champagne on ice time for the Albion are just one win away from promotion after a 2-1 defeat of Norwich. In reality, their goal difference is so superior to 3rd placed Hull, a draw at home to Southampton next Monday will almost certainly suffice - and if the Tigers fail to win on Saturday, the Baggies are up anyway.

Wolves stuttered at home again, conceding a last minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with Ipswich, and must now be ranked as outsiders for a play-off place.

In League One, Walsall’s long range hopes of promotion were finally killed off by an embarrassing defeat at the hands of struggling Bournemouth.

With Tommy Mooney quitting Bescot at the end of the season and the future of Dickie Dosh in doubt, there’s a worrying summer ahead for Saddlers fans.