BLUES CRASH TO DERBY DAY DEFEAT

BLUES were outfought, out played and simply outclassed by a superb Aston Villa side yesterday at Villa Park, keeping the visitors in the dreaded third relegation spot, one point adrift of both Bolton and Reading, with games fast running out.

Although it was a case of men against boys, Blues did not help themselves one bit as poor defending from both open play and set pieces condemned them to their biggest derby defeat in 48 years.

The rout began in the 28th minute when Gareth Barry cleared the ball up to Martin Laursen, who shinned the ball back to Ashley Young, and the winger was allowed to much time and space on the ball which he struck on the half-volley and flew past Maik Taylor.

On 42 minutes it was virtually a done deal as John Carew doubled Villa's lead. Another example of poor defensive play was on show as Young picked out Carew to nod the ball home from six yards out.

Villa were 3-0 up inside 53 minutes as John Carew slotted home the simplest of tap-ins.Gareth Barry shrugged off former Villa teamate Liam Ridgewell in the box and rolled the ball across to Carew who could not miss.

Blues' misery was added to in the 63th minute as Ashley Young grabbed his second goal of the game. He worked his way into the area before shooting towards the near post, however Taylor stopped the ball with his feet. This was not enough though as the ball unfortunately rebounded to Young and he made no mistake the second time, shooting in exactly the same place only this time finding the back of the net.

Midway through the half Blues' best move resulted in a consolation goal as MIKAEL FORSSELL was sent clear and produced a neat finish to make the scoreline at least a little more respectable from Blues' point of view.

Unfortunately Villa had not finished and Gabby Agbonlahor wrapped up the hammering in the 78th minute, once again the Blues defence backing off and allowing him the time and space to pick his spot, and he made no mistake, rifling the ball past Maik Taylor, completing the rout.

The result as mentioned before leaves Blues a point adrift of safety in 18th place, with just three games left.

Liverpool are the visitors to St Andrew's in our next fixture and with a sell-out crowd in the offing, the Bluenoses will be demanding a response from McLeish's troops as they look to secure Premier League survival.

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