BOB SAYS...

"A very merry Christmas and a happy new year to everybody and may next year bring joy and happiness to you"

Bob de Bilde (aka Bill de Dashe)

Man Utd 0 - 1 Aston Villa

Martin O'Neill's team of (Mainly) English Lions won at Old Trafford ..

Agbonlahor (far left) heads Villa in front after 21 minutes

Aston Villa ended a 10-year wait to beat Manchester United and moved up to third place after achieving their first Premier League victory at Old Trafford.

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the winner, heading in from Ashley Young's cross.

Wayne Rooney's shot smashed against the underside of the bar as United hit back, while Ryan Giggs also went close.

Nemanja Vidic had a header cleared off the line and Brad Friedel superbly denied Dimitar Berbatov as Villa clung on to claim an historic win.

The last time Villa beat United was in 1999, in a league cup match, and it is the first time in 28 league games that Villa have claimed all three points against Sir Alex Ferguson's men, in a run stretching back to 1983.

Not only will United be bitterly disappointed by the loss, their fourth of the season and first at home, it also came after leaders Chelsea had surprisingly dropped points at home to Everton earlier in the day.

Instead of United drawing level with Chelsea at the top of the table, it is Martin O'Neill's side who are this week's significant movers, leapfrogging Tottenham and Arsenal.

And Villa secured their 100th Premier League win away from home in style by blending pace and power, and a resolute backline.

Right from the start, Villa looked absolutely determined to end their dismal record against United.

Two successive corners in the opening seconds signalled Villa's attacking intent and they continued that approach throughout, and not for one second were they overawed.

They also might have felt they had a point to prove, as talk has been largely of Manchester City and Tottenham breaking into the top four.

Yet Villa are fast maturing into a team that is capable of challenging the status quo, with the likes of Young and Agbonlahor a real menace up front.

The pair combined superbly to set up what proved to be Villa's winner, when Agbonlahor played the ball out wide to Young, whose return cross was headed in by the striker who had continued his run into the box.

If the goal may have been in part down to Darren Fletcher's unfamiliarity with the right-back position, Agbonlahor is a familiar sight on the scoresheet against United, having notched against them in the last four season.

Before that United had threatened, with Rooney involved in their best moves and most of the attacking coming down the left flank.

Rooney's deft header played in Antonio Valencia but the winger lacked the incisiveness to get a shot away, while Michael Carrick's shot from 20 yards brought a decent save from Friedel.

At the other end, Fletcher was dispossessed by Agbonlahor but his cross for Heskey was pushed away brilliantly by Tomasz Kuszack to prevent a certain goal.

Rooney, who moments before was booked for a clear dive in the area, went close to an equaliser when his excellent first touch gave him a shooting chance and he cracked his shot against the bar from six yards.

United brought on Michael Owen for Ryan Giggs at the start of the second half, a bid to address the problem of Rooney's isolation up front.

Half-chances fell to Carrick and Rooney, who had a goal-bound shot blocked as Villa defended doggedly.

Rooney then tried to pay in Berbatov, who was called off the bench as United employed a three-man forward line, but the pass went astray.

Berbatov should have done much better when Owen picked him out with an accurate cross but the Bulgarian fluffed his volley.

Villa, pinned back in their own half, seemed to have ridden out the storm and looked comfortable for a while.

But then they needed a goal-line clearance from Downing to keep out Vidic's header and shortly after Freidel pulled off a magnificent save to deny Berbatov, whose low shot had been headed for the corner.

United's last chance to salvage something fell to Carrick, but it was not to be as he fired his effort wide.

BBCi Saturday's gossip column

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

The World Cup draw has given England the "best group since the Beatles" according to one newspaper as they face Algeria, Slovenia and the US.
Full story: The Sun

US star Landon Donovan says he will wind up LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham ahead of their two countries' World Cup group clash.
Full story: The Sun

And Beckham is also facing flak from Luis Figo, who says the joint Portugal-Spain bid for World Cup 2018, which he fronts, will beat the former Manchester United star's campaign to host the tournament in England. (Daily Express)

Beckham may have cause to sweat, as some reports liken the England 2018 bid's promotional video to "a budget version of South Park".
Full story: The Independent

Slovenia, meanwhile, have chosen Wayne Rooney as their wind-up target, according to defender Bostjan Cesar.
Full story: The Guardian

Suggested England Players for 2010...

Unrepentant bias from me...

England in theory, could field a full team of current and ex Aston Villa players...

Squad:

Goalkeeper: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (W.B.A.),
Defence: Luke Young (Aston Villa), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton),
Midfield: James Milner (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa), Gareth Barry (Manchester City),
Attack: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Spurs),

Bob de Bilde SAYS:

We have got a relatively quiet group for the first round of the World cup, for a change. Its a little unsettling as we could have done with a bigger team in there! This means that our self perception of invincibility may lead to complacency like we saw in Germany in 2006, and then we'll get stuffed in the 2nd round by Germany or Australia or even Ghana!

I'm still putting my £10 for England to get to the final though, as with Fabio Capello, we have a better chance than we did with Sven.

Chronological World Cup fixtures

Friday, 11 June 2010

South Africa v Mexico, Gp A, 15:00

Uruguay v France, Gp A, 19:30

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Saturday, 12 June 2010

Argentina v Nigeria, Gp B, 12:30

England v USA, Gp C, 19:30

South Korea v Greece, Gp B, 15:00

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Sunday, 13 June 2010

Algeria v Slovenia, Gp C, 12:30

Germany v Australia, Gp D, 15:00

Serbia v Ghana, Gp D, 19:30

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Monday, 14 June 2010

Italy v Paraguay, Gp F, 19:30

Japan v Cameroon, Gp E, 15:00

Netherlands v Denmark, Gp E, 12:30

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Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Brazil v North Korea, Gp G, 19:30

Ivory Coast v Portugal, Gp G, 15:00

New Zealand v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30

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Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Honduras v Chile, Gp H, 12:30

South Africa v Uruguay, Gp A, 19:30

Spain v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00

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Thursday, 17 June 2010

Argentina v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30

France v Mexico, Gp A, 12:30

Greece v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00

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Friday, 18 June 2010

England v Algeria, Gp C, 19:30

Germany v Serbia, Gp D, 12:30

Slovenia v USA, Gp C, 15:00

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Saturday, 19 June 2010

Cameroon v Denmark, Gp E, 19:30

Ghana v Australia, Gp D, 12:30

Netherlands v Japan, Gp E, 15:00

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Sunday, 20 June 2010

Brazil v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 19:30

Italy v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00

Paraguay v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30

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Monday, 21 June 2010

Chile v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00

Portugal v North Korea, Gp G, 12:30

Spain v Honduras, Gp H, 19:30

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Tuesday, 22 June 2010

France v South Africa, Gp A, 15:00

Greece v Argentina, Gp B, 19:30

Mexico v Uruguay, Gp A, 15:00

Nigeria v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30

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Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Australia v Serbia, Gp D, 19:30

Ghana v Germany, Gp D, 19:30

Slovenia v England, Gp C, 15:00

USA v Algeria, Gp C, 15:00

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Thursday, 24 June 2010

Cameroon v Netherlands, Gp E, 19:30

Denmark v Japan, Gp E, 19:30

Paraguay v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00

Slovakia v Italy, Gp F, 15:00

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Friday, 25 June 2010

Chile v Spain, Gp H, 19:30

North Korea v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 15:00

Portugal v Brazil, Gp G, 15:00

Switzerland v Honduras, Gp H, 19:30

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Saturday, 26 June 2010

Winner Gp A v Runner-up Gp B, 16R, 15:00

Winner Gp C v Runner-up Gp D, 16R, 19:30

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Sunday, 27 June 2010

Winner Gp B v Runner-up Gp A, 16R, 19:30

Winner Gp D v Runner-up Gp C, 16R, 15:00

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Monday, 28 June 2010

Winner Gp E v Runner-up Gp F, 16R, 15:00

Winner Gp G v Runner-up Gp H, 16R, 19:30

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Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Winner Gp F v Runner-up Gp E, 16R, 15:00

Winner Gp H v Runner-up Gp G, 16R, 19:30

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Friday, 2 July 2010

Wnr Gp A/R-Up Gp B v Wnr Gp C/R-Up Gp D, QF, 19:30

Wnr Gp E/R-Up Gp F v Wnr Gp G/R-Up Gp H, QF, 15:00

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Saturday, 3 July 2010

Wnr Gp A/R-Up Gp B v Wnr Gp D/R-Up Gp C, QF, 15:00

Wnr Gp F/R-Up Gp E v Wnr Gp H/R-Up Gp G, QF, 19:30

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Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Winner Q/F 1 v Winner Q/F 3, SF, 19:30

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Wednesday, 7 July 2010

Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 4, SF, 19:30

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Saturday, 10 July 2010

Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, F, 19:30

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Sunday, 11 July 2010

Winners SF1 v Winners SF2, F, 19:30

England manager Fabio Capello happy with World Cup draw

England coach Fabio Capello is pleased with his side's draw for the group stage of the 2010 World Cup finals but is not expecting any easy matches.

The United States, Algeria and Slovenia are England's opponents in Group C.

Capello told BBC Sport: "It's not so bad. We've played the US and Slovenia at home, and played well and won.

"But when we have to play here in June it will be different. Algeria beat Egypt and they have a really good team now. Every opponent will be strong."

England are ninth in Fifa's world rankings, with the United States ranked 14th, Algeria 28th and Slovenia 33rd.

Capello's side begin their campaign in South Africa against the US in Rustenburg on 12 June, then play Algeria in Cape Town on 18 June and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on 23 June.

They have never met Algeria before but have played the US and Slovenia in friendlies during Capello's two-year reign as national boss, beating the US 2-0 in May 2008 and overcoming Slovenia 2-1 in September of this year.

England hope to set up a friendly against Egypt, who lost out to rivals Algeria in a play-off to reach the World Cup, in a friendly on 3 March 2010.

"I think it's a nice choice to know the style of these North African players," said Capello.

The venue of England's first group game is 1500m above sea level, and close to their planned World Cup base at the Bafokeng Sports Campus but, for their next two games, Capello's men will have to travel further afield.

They must make the 861-mile (1,385 km) trip to Cape Town for the game against Algeria six days after their opening fixture and face another 687-mile (1,105 km) journey to Port Elizabeth to face Slovenia.

But if England win Group C, they have the added incentive of returning to Rustenburg for their second-round match when they would face the runners-up in Group D, which contains Germany, Serbia, Australia and Ghana.

Capello added: "It's good we don't have to move from the place we will be staying at for our first game. But the US are a good team, they always play very well in the World Cup.

"Then we play our last two group games at sea level - which will be different. It will be more humid and windy, but we still have to win and have to go forward. You have to respect all the teams.

"I remember our game against Slovenia very well because in the second half we suffered because Slovenia are a team with really good organisation and their style is to play with a lot of passes. Technically they are very good."

England captain John Terry, who watched the draw in Manchester ahead of Chelsea's Premier League game at Manchester City on Saturday, is already looking forward to his side's opening group game against the US.

Terry told the FA's website: "As far as England are concerned we are familiar with two of our opponents - the US and Slovenia - and know their players well. Hopefully this will help us prepare for those games.

"But for me, it's all about that first game and getting off to a good start. Every team's opening group match is important and we're no different - it's a big game."

Former England striker Alan Shearer feels that, privately, Capello will be delighted with the draw, explaining: "Fabio will have a broad smile and quietly, will be very confident. I can see England doing well in all of their group games.

"If you'd offered that group to Fabio this morning, he would have bitten your hand off. Everyone will be talking now that England have got a great group but it really does look good for them - they should qualify.

"In the later rounds, looking at the teams England could play next, then that will be a little bit tougher as you'd expect but, overall, it's been a very, very pleasing day for Capello."

If England progress from Group C, they will play one of the top two in Group D - which contains Germany, Serbia, Ghana or Australia - for a place in the quarter-finals.

Asked if England could win the World Cup, Capello replied with a smile: "We have to win."

Shearer feels England have an excellent chance of progressing deep into the tournament, adding: "The pressure starts now - the easy bit was qualifying, now comes the hard bit.

"A lot of managers have done what Fabio has done and failed at the finals - but he seems different and, dare I say it, we're not going to have a better chance.

"Capello has instilled a fear factor and confidence in England that hasn't been there for a while. If England have all their players firing and fit - particularly Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard - we have a good chance of winning it."

"In the later rounds, looking at the teams England could play next, then that will be a little bit tougher as you'd expect but, overall, it's been a very, very pleasing day for Capello."

If England progress from Group C, they will play one of the top two in Group D - which contains Germany, Serbia, Ghana or Australia - for a place in the quarter-finals.

Asked if England could win the World Cup, Capello replied with a smile: "We have to win."

Shearer feels England have an excellent chance of progressing deep into the tournament, adding: "The pressure starts now - the easy bit was qualifying, now comes the hard bit.

"A lot of managers have done what Fabio has done and failed at the finals - but he seems different and, dare I say it, we're not going to have a better chance.

"Capello has instilled a fear factor and confidence in England that hasn't been there for a while. If England have all their players firing and fit - particularly Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard - we have a good chance of winning it."

England's only previous meeting with the United States at a World Cup finals saw the US clinch a shock 1-0 win in Brazil in 1950.

Asked if he feared England, US coach Bob Bradley told BBC Sport: "No, not at all. What is it like to play them first? It's big. It's exciting to start the World Cup by playing England."

And the US's all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan, a team-mate of England star David Beckham at Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy, welcomed the draw.

"It could have been worse," Donovan said after watching the draw from New York. "Depending on where I play, playing against Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in a midfield against those guys is going to be pretty fun. I can't think of a better match-up personally."

Wolves' former United States goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann added on BBC Radio 5 live: "I know as an American, everyone there loves the Premier League - it is the best in the world to watch. Everyone in the US is going to be really looking forward to this.

"We know all the English players. It's a great draw for us, and from England's point of view, it could have been a lot worse. How are the US expected to do? Historically we haven't got big name players but we are used to achieving more than we are expected to."

Slovenia striker Milivoje Novakovic, who plays for German side FC Koln, is also confident of making progress, saying: "I can be happy after the draw, we got a good group, the first match (with Algeria) will be the most important and will determine our future.

"These are opponents that we can beat. England is a favourite but it is positive that we play with them last and that our fate will be determined before that."

Algeria are regarded as the weakest of the five African teams at the tournament but qualified for their first finals since Mexico in 1986 by beating Egypt in a play-off.

Capello may travel to the Cup of Nations in January to watch them.

The Desert Foxes are managed by Rabah Saadane, who was in charge of the 1986 side who achieved a creditable draw with Northern Ireland.

Saadane said: "It's a group that gives England and the USA an advantage.

"England are now a team that can go far in the World Cup because they've always had individual quality but now they have got rigour thanks to their Italian coach Capello."

Saadane insisted Algeria would not fear England striker Rooney, but respected him.

"As for Rooney it's not so much that we're afraid of him - he's just one of a heap of excellent players. England are as good nowadays defensively as in attack, they are very balanced," he said.

England face USA, Algeria & Slovenia in 2010 World Cup

England star David Beckham was on hand to help out with the draw

England have been drawn to face the United States, Algeria and Slovenia in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Fabio Capello's men will play the United States in Rustenburg on 12 June, Algeria in Cape Town on 18 June and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on 23 June.

Four-time champions Brazil face a daunting group that includes Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

Holders Italy were drawn with Slovenia, Paraguay and New Zealand.

France, the 1998 winners and 2006 runners-up, will play hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay, who staged and triumphed at the first World Cup in 1930.