Aston Villa 1 Stoke 0: Job done and some nice statistics

I am a bit late with everything today mostly because the wife booked a Christmas dinner with friends a few weeks ago, when apparently I told her that we were playing on Sunday this week. I don´t think I did but I´ll forgive her.

But, I have just seen the first hour and I have just seen Carew score and kick the corner flag into the Holte End and the result was a good one, possibly even the best of the season according to Martin O´Neill.

But, this is just a news post and a notice to vote for your man of the match. I don´t normally include subs, but as Carew came on so early for Heskey, he is in today and I fancy he might get it, or he will be in with a shout anyway.

But the statistic that I quite like is one you´ve heard me bang on about quite a bit the past couple of months and it is the passing. Today, we made more passes than we did against Sunderland, United and Hull and you know I was quite happy with the improved passing in those games.

The total number today was 294 and we only failed with 40 something and while the final result wasn´t all the goals we maybe would have wanted, it was, from what I have seen so far, a good win, in so much that Stoke might feel unlucky and they did have some chances, including a goal that maybe should have stood.

There will be a post mortem tomorrow, when I´ve watched the game again, but as it stands right now we are 4th, two points clear of Spurs and six points clear of Manchester City in 6th.

I´m quite happy, actually scrub that, I´m very happy, but I´m still not going to get carried away, just yet. However, if we can get six points from the next two, I might, you never know.

Now, time for a beer and more football.