Arsenal - Why is it that we always seem to get within a goal of either drawing with or beating Arsene Wenger's men. We havent beaten them since 1998 and it again looked promising on Saturday. We just could not end the hoodoo. Carew hit the bar and Arsenal failed to even have a shot in the second half but like last season's game at Villa Park we deserved but didnt get. We often give the Gunners a going over but just cant walk away with all three points.
Manchester United - What can be said about our performances against Fergie's men in recent years? We just cannot beat them and usually we dont even come close. This season we went a goal up and were playing well but then one goal went in, then two and then three all before half time.
Does this remind you of another occasion? Villa were 2-0 up at half-time against the Red Devils in the F.A. Cup in 2002 and somehow lost it 3-2 after Van Nistelrooy came off the bench with destructive effect. Ferguson loves Villa Park and whether they're playing us or not they always win. It was another comfortable victory this season. When will we give them a real game?
Chelsea - Now this is one top four team that we like! How come we always give them their toughest game of the season when we perform so woefully against Man U? We show desire, commitment and a finishing touch and Villa Park was one ground that 'The Special One' just could not triumph at. In fact the 2-0 defeat this season was one of the final acts in his tenure. We even the hold the Blues at the Bridge more often than not and we just love playing them whereas they hate playing us.
Liverpool - Villa vs the men from Anfield is often one of the dullest fixtures in the calendar. It was no different this season and although there were three goals, unfortunately two of them for Liverpool, there were hardly any other incidents. Like our record against Arsenal we always seem to play a stubborn style but never sneak it, especially at Villa Park. Last season it was a gloomy draw and it would have been the same result this season had Gerrard not scored what was an unjust free-kick.
Villa fans will accept that we don't expect to take too many points from the 'big four' fixtures but a bit of variation and perhaps a win against United would be nice. However, we do want to keep up our record against Chelsea. Also we cant complain too much about our results against the rest of the Premiership this season which aren't similar to recent seasons are they?